If you’re passionate about artificial intelligence and eager to work with a leading global financial services company, Morningstar has an exciting opportunity for you. The company is seeking an Associate AI Engineer to join its innovative technology team in Chicago. This role offers the chance to work on cutting-edge AI solutions, collaborate with experienced professionals, and contribute to products that help investors make informed financial decisions. With a competitive salary range of $85,000–$144,000 and excellent career growth opportunities, this position is ideal for candidates looking to build a strong career in AI engineering.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Morningstar |
| Role | Associate AI Engineer |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related field |
| Job Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Salary | $85,000 – $144,000 per year |
| Work Type | Hybrid |
| Job Type | Full-Time |
| Job Level | Associate Level |
| Industry | Financial Services / Technology / Artificial Intelligence |
Job Description
We are seeking Forward-Deployed AI Engineers to rapidly prototype AI solutions in real-world advisor workflows. This role is embedded in our discovery team, working alongside Product Managers, UX designers, and researchers to translate ideas into functioning prototypes.
Success is measured by speed, feasibility validation, and actionable prototypes that can move downstream.
What Success Looks Like:
- Prototypes validate advisor workflows quickly and reliably
- Downstream production engineers can operationalize prototypes with minimal friction
- Team moves from idea → evidence → validated workflow efficiently
- Experiments reduce risk and uncertainty for AI product decisions
Why This Role Matters
Product minded forward-deployed engineers collapse the gap between concept and reality, enabling the team to make fast, evidence-based product decisions while reducing wasted effort downstream.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and iterate AI prototypes for advisor workflows
- Integrate signals, models, and UX designs into working experiments
- Test feasibility and performance of AI behaviors in real workflow scenarios
- Collaborate closely with PMs, UX designers, and Research & Signals Lead
- Capture technical learnings and provide handoff documentation for production teams
- Rapidly validate ideas before long-term engineering investment
Required Skills
- AI prototyping – Ability to build working AI systems quickly
- Data integration – Connect signals, APIs, and datasets for prototypes
- Collaboration in cross-functional teams – Work side-by-side with PMs, UX, and researchers
- Experimentation and iteration – Rapidly test and refine ideas with user feedback
- Technical documentation – Clearly communicate prototype behavior and limitations
Qualifications
- 1-2 years of AI engineering experience
- Experience using AI Coding tools like Claude Code and/or Cursor
- Experience with Python, LLMs, prompt engineering, and AI frameworks
- Ability to rapidly prototype with limited infrastructure
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills
Selection Process
- Application Submission
- Resume Screening
- Initial Recruiter Interview
- Technical Assessment
- Technical Interview Round(s)
- Hiring Manager Interview
- Final Evaluation
- Offer Discussion and Background Verification
How to Apply
- Visit the official Morningstar careers website.
- Search for the position “Associate AI Engineer.”
- Review the job description, responsibilities, and eligibility requirements.
- Prepare and update your resume with relevant skills and experience.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload your resume and any additional required documents.
- Submit your application.
- Monitor your email for updates regarding interviews and next steps.
