Director of Data Science

We’re looking for a Director of Data Science to lead our Beam Benefits Decision Science team within our Benefits & Protection insurance space. In this role, you’ll guide a highly technical team working across generative AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics while helping scale innovative solutions.

This is a unique opportunity to combine accelerated innovation and build opportunities with the stability, resources, and scale of an established organization. You'll help shape how emerging AI, machine learning, and advanced modeling capabilities are applied to meaningful business challenges, transforming ideas into scalable, production-ready solutions that drive measurable impact across the enterprise.

• 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

• 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

• Master’s degree or PhD
• Experience developing custom generative AI or LLM solutions using APIs, custom prompts or models, MCP servers, and application integrations
• Experience in a high-growth or builder-oriented environment where you helped move emerging technology into production
• Knowledge of insurance, financial services, group benefits, or another highly regulated industry

This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

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. And 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.

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