Principal Quantitative Analyst – New Product Development

Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match up to 6%

Stock ownership potential

Life insurance

Health benefits

Wellness incentives

Disability insurance

Sabbatical program

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer program

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Morningstar Inc. is seeking a principal quantitative analyst in Chicago to lead the development and launch of new benchmark indexes. You will work across research, product, technology, and commercial teams to bring ideas from concept to market, applying advanced quant methods and AI-enabled workflows.

You will use Python, R, SQL, and MATLAB to prototype ideas, run back-tests, and build scalable index solutions, while communicating complex concepts clearly to clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in indexes, asset management, investment banking, fintech, systematic investing, or 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.

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.

Skills

Quant research

Portfolio construction

Back-testing

AI tooling

Communication

Tools

Python

R

SQL

MATLAB

Job description

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. We are looking for a new principal quantitative analyst to work in new product development.

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.

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

• 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 $147,550.00-226,233.33 Inclusive 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 Entity Morningstar is a global independent investment research and financial data company. Here, you'll help uncover what’s hidden, simplify what’s complex, and create insights that empower investor success. Company overview Morningstar Development Program Morningstar is strongly committed to creating and preserving equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We make all employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and other personnel matters—without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, gender identity and expression, parental status, or other legally protected characteristics or conduct.