{"id":2759629,"url":"https://alion.io/job/morningstar-associate-software-engineer-2","title":"Associate Software Engineer","company":{"id":12394,"name":"Morningstar","domain":"morningstar.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/morningstar","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":9,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.778,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":27,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"junior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Chicago, United States","Toronto, Canada"],"countries":["US","CA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":74000,"max_usd":151000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":985},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"AI Agents","optional":false},{"name":"AWS","optional":false},{"name":"AWS Bedrock","optional":false},{"name":"Claude Code","optional":false},{"name":"Copilot","optional":false},{"name":"Copilot Studio","optional":false},{"name":"LangChain","optional":false},{"name":"Model Context Protocol","optional":false},{"name":"Rest API","optional":false},{"name":"Azure","optional":true},{"name":"PostgreSQL","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-16","last_verified_at":"2026-10-17T07:03:39Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"About the Team\nThe AI Accelerator team sits at the center of Morningstar’s Generative AI strategy for the Direct Platform. We build and scale core systems such as the Morningstar MCP Server, MCP Gateway, and Morningstar Agent.\nOur team is responsible not only for delivering GenAI capabilities, but also for solving the underlying challenges that make them production-ready-document vectorization, caching strategies, system scalability, security, and reliability. We work closely with the Morningstar Responsible AI Council to ensure our systems meet strict standards around guardrails, PII filtering, moderation, and anonymized evaluation pipelines.\nWe operate with a strong engineering culture: we question assumptions, prioritize impact over process, and focus on solving meaningful problems rather than executing predefined tasks. Collaboration, shared ownership, and continuous learning are central to how we work.\nAbout the Role\nAs an Associate Software Engineer on the AI Accelerator team, you will help design, build, and scale the core services powering Morningstar Directs’ GenAI capabilities. You will work across the full development lifecycle-from ideation and design to implementation, deployment, and iteration.\nYou’ll leverage modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) to accelerate delivery while maintaining high standards for code quality, testing, and documentation. You will collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to build systems that are both technically robust and highly valuable to users.\nThis role is ideal for someone who is naturally curious, enjoys exploring new technologies, and takes initiative in learning beyond immediate requirements.\nLocation: Chicago, Illinois (Hybrid policy, 4 days onsite required)\nResponsibilities:\nDesign, build, and enhance scalable services powering the MCP Server, MCP Gateway, and AI Agent. \nOwn features end-to-end, from concept through production deployment and monitoring. \nCollaborate with product and design partners to deeply understand user needs and deliver meaningful solutions. \nContribute to architectural decisions and continuously improve system design and engineering practices. \nWrite clean, maintainable, and well-tested code with a focus on performance and scalability. \nUse logging, monitoring, and debugging tools to maintain high system reliability. \nEvaluate new tools and technologies pragmatically, balancing innovation with real product value. \nCreate and maintain clear technical documentation and user-facing guides. \nContribute to a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. \nQualifications:\nBachelor of Science in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience. \nExperience with at least one modern object-oriented programming language. \nStrong collaboration and communication skills; direct, thoughtful, and transparent in discussions. \nSolid understanding of computer science fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, REST APIs, design patterns). \nInterest in building production grade services using GenAI/agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AWS Bedrock, Copilot Studio). \nPreferred Skills:\nExperience with Python and the PostgreSQL ecosystem. \nFamiliarity with vector databases and MCP-based architectures. \nBasic knowledge of cloud infrastructure like AWS/Azure \nInterest in financial markets, investing, or fund research. \nCompensation and Benefits\nAt 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:\nFinancial Health\n100% 401k match up to 6% of salary\n\nStock Ownership Potential\n\nCompany provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission\n\nPhysical Health\nComprehensive 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\n\nAdditional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual\n\nCompany-provided long- and short-term disability insurance\n\nEmotional Health\nTrust-Based Time Off\n\n6-week Paid Sabbatical Program\n\n6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave\n\nCompetitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave\n\nAdoption Assistance\n\nLeadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities\n\nAnnual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses\n\nTuition Reimbursement\n\nSocial Health\nCharitable Matching Gifts program\n\nDollars for Doers volunteer program\n\nPaid volunteering days\n\n15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups\n\nTotal Cash Compensation Range\n$72,950.00-107,000.00Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive\nMorningstar'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.\n001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. 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