Junior Analyst - AI Solutions, R&D & Coding

StepStone Group; La Jolla Ranch (CA); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

StepStone Group in California is seeking a Junior Analyst on the AI Initiatives team to support the development and validation of AI‑driven data pipelines for private markets analytics. This early‑career role emphasizes hands‑on data work, problem solving, and learning how AI can be applied in private‑markets investing.

You will contribute to model validation, data extraction via SQL, backtesting, and integrating model outputs into internal tools, all while collaborating with engineering to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline or related field.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience (internships, research or projects).
• Foundational proficiency in Python and familiarity with Excel, Microsoft Apps, and Git.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Validate and improve AI/ML data pipelines and models.
• Perform data structuring through SQL, Excel, and data transformations to ensure data integrity.
• Design backtests and scenario analyses to assess model robustness and impact on investments.
• Collaborate with engineering to operationalize AI features and document data requirements.
• Write SQL queries to source advanced data for analytics.

Skills

Python

Data analysis

SQL

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline

Tools

SQL

Excel

Git

Job description

We are global private markets specialists delivering tailored investment solutions, advisory services, and impactful, data driven insights to the world’s investors. Leveraging the power of our platform and our peerless intelligence across sectors, strategies, and geographies, we help identify the advantages and the answers our clients need to succeed.

Position Overview
As a Junior Analyst on the AI Initiatives team, you will support the development, testing, and operationalization of AI-driven data pipelines that enhance portfolio monitoring and private-markets analytics. This is an early-career role ideal for someone who enjoys hands‑on data work, problem‑solving, and learning how AI can be applied in private‑markets investing. You will be instrumental in the analytical core of the team, ensuring our AI/ML models are accurate, efficient, and deliver maximum insight

Key Responsibilities

• Model Validation and Performance Tuning: Assist in running, analyzing, and improving the performance of existing AI/ML pipelines
• Assist in complex data structuring challenges by applying cleaning and transformation techniques across heterogeneous inputs, including large‑scale database extracts (SQL), proprietary documents, and legacy data in Excel, to ensure maximum data integrity for AI initiatives
• Backtesting and Scenario Analysis: Design and execute backtests and scenario analyses based on senior team hypotheses to stress‑test model robustness and quantify potential investment impactIntegration Testing & Requirement Definition: Collaborate closely with the engineering team by testing the integration of model outputs into internal tools. Document specific data and format requirements necessary for operationalizing new AI features
• Process Automation and Efficiency: Actively seek opportunities to streamline workflow efficiency and reduce latency in the AI pipeline, taking the lead on automating key analytical and reporting components
• Advanced Data Sourcing (SQL): Write sophisticated SQL queries to extract

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Finance, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science) or related field
• 0‑2 years of relevant experience (e.g., internships, research, coding projects)
• Foundational proficiency in Python
• Familiarity with Excel, Microsoft Apps, and Git
• Strong attention to detail, ability to critically check work, and commitment to data integrity
• Solid written and verbal communication skills; comfortable translating technical concepts for non‑technical stakeholders
• Proactive, curious, collaborative mindset; ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment and support team goals
• Willingness to learn and grow, asking questions and taking ownership of tasks

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Coursework or project experience in machine learning, statistics, or data modelling
• Prior internship or project experience in finance, consulting or data analytics
• Basic understanding of private markets (private equity, infrastructure, secondaries) and investment terminology

Pay Rate: $29.00/Hour

The salary range is an estimate of pay for this position. Actual pay may vary depending on job‑related factors that can include location, education, skill, and experience. The salary range does not include any benefits or other forms of possible compensation that may be available to employees.

#LI-Hybrid

At StepStone, we believe that our people are our most important asset and crucial to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to create an environment that empowers our employees and allows them to be heard, regardless of title or tenure. Our organizational community features multiple Employment Resource Groups as well as mentorship programs to enhance the employee experience for all.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, StepStone does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Developing People at StepStone