AI Engineer

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
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/ML 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

• 3-5 years of AI engineering, ML prototyping, or software development experience
• Expertise 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
$145,170-182,820 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
  • 75% 401k match up to 7%
  • 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 Bonding Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
  • Annual Education Stipend
  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health
  • Charitable Matching Gifts program
  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
  • Paid volunteering days
  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

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.