Lead Software Engineer

About the Role
We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to drive the design and delivery of scalable, enterprise-grade software solutions as part of our Workplace Engineering team. In this hands-on leadership role, you'll guide a cross-functional team through the full software development lifecycle - from concept to production - while championing high-performance architecture, modern engineering practices, and AI-enabled development workflows.
We're building modern, cloud-native systems with a focus on quality, scalability, and speed, and we're augmenting our workflows with AI tools for code review, documentation, test generation, and development productivity. As a Lead Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to shape both the technical direction and the engineering culture of a fast-moving team solving real-world business challenges.
To foster continuous collaboration, we follow a hybrid policy in which you will work onsite a minimum of 4 days per week in our Chicago office
Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable client-side and server-side architectures, promoting clean code, modularity, and long-term maintainability
• Develop secure, high-performance APIs and backend systems using Java 17+, Spring Boot, and modern microservices design
• Guide and mentor a team of engineers through code reviews, pull requests, and architecture discussions - using AI-assisted tools to accelerate quality checks and reduce manual overhead
• Champion best practices in software engineering, including secure coding, CI/CD, test automation, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with product managers and technical stakeholders to define requirements, align engineering efforts with business strategy, and prioritize feature delivery
• Use AI/ML-powered development platforms to auto-generate documentation, detect code smells, and suggest refactoring opportunities
• Architect and support cloud-native systems in AWS, leveraging tools like Lambda, API Gateway, ECS, DynamoDB, and infrastructure-as-code solutions
• Maintain clear and comprehensive technical documentation to support alignment, handoffs, and long-term sustainability
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and engineering excellence

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience as a backend or full-stack engineer, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership or lead engineer role
• Expert-level skills in Java (Java 17+) and the Spring ecosystem
• Strong background in designing and building RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed systems
• Proven experience with front-end to back-end integration, ensuring end-to-end system performance and reliability
• Proficiency in relational databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL, including schema design and query optimization
• Hands-on experience with AWS cloud services, including serverless architecture (Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB) and cloud-native deployment
• Deep familiarity with Agile practices and leading engineering teams through sprints, planning, reviews, and retrospectives
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills; able to bridge the gap between technical and business needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with or interest in integrating AI/ML tools into engineering workflows
• Hands-on use of AI-assisted development platforms (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, or internal AI-based tools for code review, documentation, or test generation)
• Background in financial services or other regulated industries is a plus

Why Join Us?

• Lead high-impact projects that drive business transformation across a growing platform
• Work in a team that embraces AI-enhanced software development, letting engineers focus on solving complex problems while automating the rest
• Shape modern engineering standards and mentor the next generation of top-tier engineers
• Build in a cloud-native, serverless environment designed for scalability and resilience
• Collaborate in a hybrid, high-trust culture that values innovation, quality, and long-term thinking

Total Compensation Range:
$110,775-188,325
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.