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About the Role
Lead a highly technical team working across generative AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics to scale innovative solutions within the Benefits & Protection insurance space. This role combines accelerated innovation with the stability of an established organization, transforming ideas into scalable, production-ready solutions that drive measurable impact.
Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and support a team of data scientists focused on generative AI research and development, machine learning, predictive modeling, and quantitative techniques.
- Set the technical direction for the team, staying current on emerging AI and machine learning models, tools, and approaches and determining how they can be applied to real business opportunities.
- Guide multiple projects from problem definition and model design through validation, deployment, monitoring, and continued enhancement.
- Oversee the development of custom AI and data science solutions that use structured and unstructured data, APIs, custom prompts and models, and application integrations.
- Partner with Product Management, Engineering, IT, business operations, and senior leaders to identify high-value opportunities and translate technical capabilities into practical business outcomes.
- Establish expectations and measures for model performance, production readiness, scalability, adoption, and ongoing business value.
- Stabilize and strengthen a high-performing team during an important period of growth and integration.
- Promote a practical, applied approach to data science by prioritizing solutions that can be scaled and used across the business.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 10+ years professional experience in building machine learning/predictive models (advanced education may be considered in lieu of experience)
- Demonstrated expertise in statistics, mathematics, machine learning, optimization, model development, operationalization, scalability, and working with large structured and unstructured datasets.
- Formal people leadership experience, coaching talent, and building a culture of commitment and accountability.
- Experience working with modern programming languages, machine learning libraries, big-data technologies, and cloud platforms.
- Strong technical judgment with the ability to evaluate emerging AI, machine learning, and data science technologies, determine the best approach for a business problem, and guide solutions from concept through production.
- Passion for continuous learning, experimentation, and staying ahead of rapidly evolving AI and modeling trends, with a practical focus on delivering measurable business outcomes.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change, navigate ambiguity, and partner across Product Management, Engineering, IT, and business teams to deliver scalable solutions.
Skills
- Generative AI
- Machine Learning
- Predictive Modeling
- Advanced Analytics
- Statistics
- Mathematics
- Optimization
- Model Development
- Operationalization
- Scalability
- Large Structured Datasets
- Large Unstructured Datasets
- Modern Programming Languages
- Machine Learning Libraries
- Big-Data Technologies
- Cloud Platforms
- AI Technologies
- Data Science Technologies
- LLM Solutions
- APIs
- Custom Prompts
- Custom Models
- MCP Servers
- Application Integrations
- Insurance
- Financial Services
- Group Benefits
Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Remote
Work Type
- In-office
- Hybrid
- Remote
Experience Level
- 10+ years professional experience
- Director
Education Level
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s degree
- PhD
Salary/Compensations
- $165000 - $210000 / year
Benefits
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Bonus program (for non-sales positions)
- Sales incentives (for sales positions)
- Pension Eligible
- Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.
About the Company
- Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives.
- We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all.
- Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years.
- At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level.
- Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you.
- Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees.
- We support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.
- Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.
Equal Opportunity
- Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.