About the Team
The AI Accelerator team sits at the center of Morningstar’s Generative AI strategy for the Direct Platform. We build and scale core systems such as the Morningstar MCP Server, MCP Gateway, and Morningstar Agent.
Our team is responsible not only for delivering GenAI capabilities, but also for solving the underlying challenges that make them production-ready—document vectorization, caching strategies, system scalability, security, and reliability. We work closely with the Morningstar Responsible AI Council to ensure our systems meet strict standards around guardrails, PII filtering, moderation, and anonymized evaluation pipelines.
We operate with a strong engineering culture: we question assumptions, prioritize impact over process, and focus on solving meaningful problems rather than executing predefined tasks. Collaboration, shared ownership, and continuous learning are central to how we work.
About the Role
As an Associate Software Engineer on the AI Accelerator team, you will help design, build, and scale the core services powering Morningstar Directs’ GenAI capabilities. You will work across the full development lifecycle—from ideation and design to implementation, deployment, and iteration.
You’ll leverage modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) to accelerate delivery while maintaining high standards for code quality, testing, and documentation. You will collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to build systems that are both technically robust and highly valuable to users.
This role is ideal for someone who is naturally curious, enjoys exploring new technologies, and takes initiative in learning beyond immediate requirements.
Location: Chicago, Illinois (Hybrid policy, 4 days onsite required)
Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and enhance scalable services powering the MCP Server, MCP Gateway, and AI Agent.
- Own features end-to-end, from concept through production deployment and monitoring.
- Collaborate with product and design partners to deeply understand user needs and deliver meaningful solutions.
- Contribute to architectural decisions and continuously improve system design and engineering practices.
- Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code with a focus on performance and scalability.
- Use logging, monitoring, and debugging tools to maintain high system reliability.
- Evaluate new tools and technologies pragmatically, balancing innovation with real product value.
- Create and maintain clear technical documentation and user-facing guides.
- Contribute to a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with at least one modern object-oriented programming language.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills; direct, thoughtful, and transparent in discussions.
- Solid understanding of computer science fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, REST APIs, design patterns).
- Interest in building production grade services using GenAI/agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AWS Bedrock, Copilot Studio).
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Python and the PostgreSQL ecosystem.
- Familiarity with vector databases and MCP-based architectures.
- Basic knowledge of cloud infrastructure like AWS/Azure
- Interest in financial markets, investing, or fund research.
Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:
Financial Health
100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
Stock Ownership Potential
Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
Physical Health
Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
Emotional Health
Trust-Based Time Off
6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
Tuition Reimbursement
Social Health
Charitable Matching Gifts program
Dollars for Doers volunteer program
Paid volunteering days
15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups
Total Cash Compensation Range
$72,950.00-107,000.00Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal EntityMorningstar Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
Morningstar Global Headquarters Office
22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL, United States, 60602
Morningstar’s Chicago office is the company’s headquarters, bringing together teams across research, technology, product, sales, corporate functions, and more. Employees work in a mission-driven culture shaped by independent thinking, openness, and fact-based decision-making, with the energy of a downtown location and opportunities to connect across teams.
Software Engineering
Software engineers at Morningstar build and maintain the applications that power the firm's work, and they do it in a culture built on independent thinking, evidence-based decisions, and continuous learning. Engineers are trusted to bring their own perspective and judgment to how the work gets done. That's not incidental to the culture here; it's central to it.
Product Manager
Product managers at Morningstar sit at the center of decisions that shape what gets built, and how it works. In Chicago, product managers work across areas including Credit Ratings; Data, Analytics & Research; Indexes; Investment Management & Services; and Corporate. Product managers are trusted to define what problems are worth solving and bring their own judgement to every stage of the process.
Research
Research at Morningstar spans markets, asset classes, and disciplines, all connected by the same purpose: give investors what they need to make confident decisions. Our independent research covers equities, managed investments, fixed income, alternatives, private markets, ESG and climate, and credit ratings. Analysts bring their own judgment to complex questions, and that independence is central to how the work gets done.
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