The Group:
Technology drives our business. Our team is made up of talented software engineers, infrastructure engineers, data scientists, product leaders, and UX professionals. We care deeply about technology as a craft and a competitive differentiator.
The Central Technology AI team sits at the heart of Morningstar’s technology organization, partnering across the firm to enable responsible, scalable, and innovative uses of artificial intelligence. We build and support AI-powered tools, platforms, and solutions that enhance how Morningstar teams work with data, insights, and products.
The Morningstar Development Program (MDP) is a full-time opportunity designed to launch high-potential early career technologists into impactful, long-term careers at Morningstar. Participants gain hands-on experience through meaningful projects, mentorship from experienced leaders, and exposure to Morningstar’s products, data, and technology ecosystem.
The Role:
The Morningstar Development Program – Central Technology AI is accepting applicants graduating in 2026. Successful candidates will join the Central Technology AI team and be given meaningful, hands-on work aligned to their technical background and interests.
MDP associates are expected to take ownership of their work, collaborate across teams, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical partners. You will receive structured mentorship, regular feedback, and professional development opportunities throughout the program.
All positions are based in our Chicago office, working 4 days a week.
Responsibilities
- Contribute as a member of an Agile technology team, helping to solve business problems through research, analysis, and hands-on development.
- Design, build, and enhance AI-enabled solutions, leveraging modern AI tools, frameworks, and programming languages such as Python.
- Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, and business partners to translate ideas and requirements into practical, scalable solutions.
- Participate in individual and team-based projects, presenting findings and outcomes to stakeholders and senior leaders.
- Engage in training and development sessions across Morningstar to build a strong foundation for a long-term career in technology and AI.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using AI tools, platforms, or frameworks (e.g., generative AI tools, machine learning libraries, or AI-assisted development workflows).
- Strong coding skills: experience with additional languages or data tools is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as a self-starter, taking initiative and ownership of projects.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to adapt quickly and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in and graduating by June 2026 or have completed degree program, preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
- A resume is required to apply.
Please be sure to include the word “Resume” in the file name of your resume.
The start date for this role is January 11, 2027.
The base salary for this role is $92,143.
This role will be posted until November 9, 2026.
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 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
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.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in and graduating by June 2026, or have completed a degree program
- Degree preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field
- Resume required for application, with the word Resume included in the file name
- Experience using AI tools, platforms, or frameworks, such as generative AI tools or machine learning libraries
- Strong coding skills
- Experience with additional programming languages or data tools
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and own projects
- Excellent communication skills and ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Strong critical-thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
- Ability to adapt quickly and work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
What the Team is Saying
Morningstar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave provides at least 16 weeks for primary caregivers and up to 8 weeks for secondary caregivers, alongside a global minimum of six weeks of paid caregiving leave. These policies extend family support beyond parental leave alone.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Flexible time off, paid holidays, and a paid sabbatical after every four years of service create meaningful time-away options. Company reporting notes that 1,223 employees took paid sabbaticals in 2025, indicating the program’s active use.
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Retirement Support — Employer retirement contributions or matching are offered with free access to Morningstar retirement-planning tools. This combination reinforces long-term savings and planning.
Morningstar Insights
What We Do
We are a global investment research and financial data company with 40-plus offices across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Our products and services are used daily by individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, retirement plan providers, and institutional investors. We provide data, research, and analysis across managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, debt securities, and real-time global market data. The financial system can have real barriers—hidden information, friction that can slow decisions, and forces that can limit transparency and access. We work to remove them, bringing independent research, connected data, and investor-first tools to a system that needs more clarity. The people doing this work span research, technology, design, product, sales, and functional areas. We build many of our products in-house, so the work can connect directly to the tools investors use to make real financial decisions.
Why Work With Us
Morningstar’s missing is to empower investor success. We can only do that if our people feel empowered. That means finding people who think independently, bring a wide range of backgrounds with analytical rigor and genuine intellectual curiosity to the work.
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Morningstar Teams
Morningstar Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Across most of our offices globally, employees work four days a week in the office and one day from home. We recognize that life doesn't always fit a fixed schedule and offer programs that can help provided increased workplace flexibility.
