The Group: Morningstar Indexes is building the next generation of index products at the intersection of markets, quant research, data science, and AI. This is a hands-on builder role for someone who wants to move fast, experiment with new tools, turn bold ideas into scalable index solutions, and help redefine how investment products are researched, tested, and launched.
Responsibilities:
- Build and launch new benchmark, thematic, factor, strategic beta, and multi-asset indexes from concept to market in partnership with research, product, technology, operations, and commercial teams.
- Drive the full product innovation cycle—spot opportunities, explore data, test signals, run back-tests, shape methodology, solve implementation challenges, and get products launch-ready.
- Use quant techniques, machine learning, portfolio construction, risk analytics, and statistical testing to turn investment ideas into durable, rules-based index methodologies.
- Push the use of AI, coding assistants, and agentic workflows to automate research, speed up analysis, test methodology logic, and make product development smarter and faster.
- Bring builder energy to the team by creating tools, prototypes, dashboards, research insights, and client-ready stories that make complex quant and AI ideas easy to understand and exciting to use.
Requirements:
- 6+ years of experience in indexes, asset management, investment banking, fintech, systematic investing, quantitative research, or a related investment technology environment.
- Strong quant toolkit, including hands-on experience with investment analysis, factor research, portfolio construction, back-testing, risk analytics, or systematic strategy design.
- Comfortable writing code and working with data using Python, R, SQL, MATLAB, or similar tools to prototype ideas, analyze large datasets, and automate repeatable workflows.
- Excited by AI-first ways of working, with experience using tools such as Microsoft Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Gemini, ChatGPT, or similar platforms; exposure to AI agents, RAG, or workflow orchestration is a plus.
- Clear communicator who can translate complex quant, AI, and investment concepts into methodology documents, research notes, presentations, and compelling client-facing narratives.
- Experience developing and using optimized portfolio construction and risk modelling tools, factor investment strategies, private equity data, and index derivatives strategies is a strong plus.
- This position is based in our Chicago office.
Why this role is exciting: You will join a global indexes team with the freedom to build, experiment, and scale new ideas—using AI, quant research, and modern development tools to create products that can reach investors around the world.
This role does not qualify for immigration sponsorship. Morningstar will not be considering candidates that require immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This role is required to be in Chicago office four days a week.
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
$147,550.00-226,233.33Inclusive 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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