Business Risk & Controls Intern (Summer 2026)

What You'll Do

Looking for an internship where you can make a real impact? Spend your summer with Principal Financial Group’s Business Risk & Controls team and help protect our customers while learning the ins and outs of fraud prevention and risk management.
 

You’ll work alongside experienced professionals, build your network, and develop skills that will set you apart—whether you’re pursuing a career in risk, compliance, data analysis, criminal justice or financial services. You’ll be part of a team that investigates real issues and solves meaningful problems.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Spot suspicious activity – monitor data and identify unusual patterns.
• Assist in investigations – gather evidence and support the team on complex cases.
• Collaborate across teams – partner with Legal, Corporate Investigative Unit, Compliance, Contact Center, Risk Management and more.  
• Help protect privacy – review and document incidents, learn breach notification processes.
• Analyze trends – recommend ways to improve processes and reduce risk.
• Solve customer challenges – help resolve escalated cases with professionalism.
• Learn from the pros – sit in on team meetings, project updates, and mentoring sessions.

Who You Are

What We’re Looking For

We want curious, motivated students who:

• Are working toward a bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field
• Will be a junior or senior in Summer 2026 (preferred)
• Have strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills
• Can balance multiple tasks and pay close attention to detail
• Are interested in risk management, fraud prevention, or cybersecurity
• Know their way around Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Value confidentiality, ethics, and excellent customer service

Why You’ll Love This Internship

Real-World Impact – your work helps protect customers and reduce risk
Mentorship & Networking – learn from industry professionals and build your network
Skill Development – gain hands-on experience in risk management and fraud prevention
Career Prep – set yourself up for future opportunities at Principal and beyond

Our Internship Culture

Join an established program that provides hands-on experiences for 200+ interns each year! You'll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company. We care about offering you diverse experiences and exciting challenges that push you to reach for bigger life goals, all while enjoying our flexibility and work life balance. Join us for events such as our Executive Speaker Series, gain career direction, and much more! https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers/internships

Internship Stipend

You will receive a lump sum stipend of $3,000. This amount is intended to support incidental expenses you may incur as part of your internship. The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit but is not intended to compensate for all tax liabilities.

Hours:

40 hours per week

 Location:

This internship will be based at the Principal Headquarters in Des Moines IA and benefit from a hybrid work arrangement with three days a week in the office. 

 Pay Rates:

$19.00 to $21.00 per hour depending upon previous internship experience

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$19 - $21 / hour

Time Off Program

Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.

Pension Eligible

No

See your future. And make it real.

Starting your career on the right track is important. That’s why we offer you a hands-on internship program full of focused activities and opportunities to gain experience, make connections, and learn the business from the inside out.

Through your experience, here's what you can expect:

• Work alongside experienced professionals
• Gain career direction to help you achieve your professional and personal goals.
• Contribute to work that helps more people and businesses around the world save enough, have enough and protect enough.
• Explore new perspectives in an inclusive, welcoming culture. 

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering candidates 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

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Global Investors 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.

Experience Principal

While our expertise spans the globe, we're bound by one common purpose: to foster a world where financial security is accessible to all. And our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees – individually and all of us together. Explore our core values, benefits and why we’re an exceptional place to grow your career.

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.

Posting Window

We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.

Original Posting Date

9/19/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

9/25/2025