Associate AI Engineer

Morningstar, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 144,510; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Trust-Based Time Off

6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

Competitive Paid Parental Leave

Annual Flex Stipend

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Morningstar, Inc. is looking for Forward-Deployed AI Engineers in Chicago to rapidly prototype AI solutions. This hybrid role collaborates with product managers, UX designers, and researchers, emphasizing speed and feasibility validation.

The ideal candidate will have experience in AI engineering, data integration, and collaboration within cross-functional teams. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes employee wellness.

Qualifications

• Ability to rapidly prototype with limited infrastructure.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

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.

Skills

AI prototyping

Data integration

Collaboration in cross-functional teams

Experimentation and iteration

Technical documentation

Education

1-2 years of AI engineering experience

Experience using AI Coding tools like Claude Code and/or Cursor

Experience with Python

Familiarity with LLMs, prompt engineering, and AI frameworks

Job description

About Morningstar

Morningstar’s mission is to empower investor success. The Direct Platform team does this by creating products that help financial professionals, and the investors they serve, achieve their financial goals. The Morningstar Direct Platform team is one of the largest business units that strive to give clients access to the data, analytics, and tools that help financial professionals be more efficient, innovative, and connect with their clients in a more meaningful way.

This role is based in our Chicago office, and we follow a hybrid policy of 4 days onsite. 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.

Role Overview

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
• Rapidlyvalidateideas 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

Total Cash Compensation Range

85,000-144,510 USD Annual

Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive

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 plansand 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