Associate Software Engineer

Morningstar is seeking an Associate Software Engineer to design and build backend services for data processing, publication, and delivery, utilizing AWS services. This role involves maintaining and modernizing applications, improving system reliability through monitoring and optimization, and collaborating with various teams. The engineer will write clean, testable code, participate in code reviews, and stay updated on AWS cloud technologies and AI-assisted development tools. Candidates should have 0-2 years of experience, a strong programming foundation, and familiarity with Agile methodologies and secure service design.

Must Have

• Support designing and building backend services that help with data processing, publication, and delivery to downstream applications.
• Assist in developing APIs and cloud-native components using AWS services.
• Help maintain, refactor, and migrate existing applications and services to modern, scalable, AWS-based architectures.
• Contribute to improving performance, resiliency, and delivery speed by assisting with monitoring, logging, and optimization.
• Work closely with senior engineers, product teams, data engineers, and DevOps/SRE partners.
• Write clean, maintainable, and testable code; participate in code reviews and follow modern engineering standards.
• Ability to analyze technical challenges, propose solutions, and deliver reliable results with guidance.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum and modern software development practices.
• Basic understanding of secure service design, API security concepts, and AWS security best practices.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 0–2 years of professional software development experience, with exposure to backend development and cloud-based systems.
• Solid programming foundation in C#/.NET or another backend language.
• Experience building or consuming REST APIs.
• Hands-on exposure to AWS services such as Lambda, SQS, SNS, API Gateway, S3, and RDS.
• Authorized to work permanently in the US.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with event-driven patterns.
• Basic understanding of serverless patterns.
• Experience with CI/CD workflows and Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Familiarity with SQL/NoSQL databases and basic data workflows.
• Scripting experience with Python for automation, small data tasks, or AI experimentation.
• Frontend exposure with Vue.js or other modern JavaScript frameworks.
• Interest or basic experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot).
• Prompt engineering or integrating simple AI APIs.
• Understanding of how AI can support automation, testing, or data workflows.

Perks & Benefits

• 75% 401k match up to 7%
• Stock Ownership Potential
• Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision)
• Potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually)
• Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
• Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
• 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
• Charitable Matching Gifts program
• Dollars for Doers volunteer program
• Paid volunteering days
• 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups
• Hybrid work environment (four days in-office each week in most locations)

Associate Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Backend & Data Development: Support designing and building backend services that help with data processing, publication, and delivery to downstream applications. Assist in developing APIs and cloud-native components using AWS services.
• Application Maintenance & Modernization: Help maintain, refactor, and migrate existing applications and services to modern, scalable, AWS-based architectures.
• System Reliability: Contribute to improving performance, resiliency, and delivery speed by assisting with monitoring, logging, and optimization following best practices for scalability and maintainability.
• Collaboration: Work closely with senior engineers, product teams, data engineers, and DevOps/SRE partners to align backend and cloud solutions with business needs.
• Engineering Practices: Write clean, maintainable, and testable code. Participate in code reviews and follow modern engineering standards.
• Learning & Growth: Stay current on AWS cloud technologies and AI-assisted development tools. Demonstrate curiosity about applying AI and automation to improve engineering productivity and system efficiency.

Qualifications:

• Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze technical challenges, propose solutions, and deliver reliable results with guidance.
• Methodology: Familiarity with Agile/Scrum and modern software development practices.
• Security Awareness: Basic understanding of secure service design, API security concepts, and AWS security best practices.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience: 0–2 years of professional software development experience, with exposure to backend development and cloud-based systems.

Technical Skills:

• Solid programming foundation in C#/.NET (preferred) or another backend language.
• Experience building or consuming REST APIs; familiarity with event-driven patterns is a plus.
• Hands-on exposure to AWS services such as Lambda, SQS, SNS, API Gateway, S3, and RDS. Basic understanding of serverless patterns is preferred.
• Experience with CI/CD workflows and Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) is a plus.
• Familiarity with SQL/NoSQL databases and basic data workflows (plus).
• Scripting experience with Python for automation, small data tasks, or AI experimentation (plus).
• Frontend exposure with Vue.js or other modern JavaScript frameworks (plus).
• AI/ML Exposure: Interest or basic experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot), prompt engineering, or integrating simple AI APIs. Understanding of how AI can support automation, testing, or data workflows is a strong plus

We're only considering candidates who are authorized to work permanently in the US.

Total Compensation Range:

$70,825 - $120,425

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.

About Us

How to Apply for a Job at Morningstar

Step 1

When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please fill out this form completely, attaching your resume and cover letter in the approved format. Read the job requirements carefully and make sure to attach writing or design samples as required. Applicants must submit their resume and other information through our corporate website to be considered for a job at Morningstar. No phone calls, please.

Step 2

You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.

Step 3

If you are called in for an interview, a representative from Morningstar will contact you to set up a date, time, and location. Be prepared for a rigorous interview process. To make sure you're a good fit for Morningstar and we're a good fit for you, we'll schedule time for you to meet with multiple staff members at all levels of the company. Expect to return for multiple interviews as part of the process. A representative from Morningstar will contact you with the results of your interview—either with a job offer or to let you know our plans for the position.

Applicants With Disabilities Who Need Accommodation

Morningstar is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call +1 312 384-3900 or email AskHR@morningstar.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Please note:

• We only accept calls from applicants who need accommodation related to a disability. Please, no calls with unrelated questions or requests.
• Please be sure to include the title and location of the open position you’re interested in when you leave a message.

US Applicants: Morningstar is an E-Verify program participant.

Learn more:

• This Organization Participates in E-Verify (English)
• This Organization Participates in E-Verify (Spanish)
• Right to Work (English)
• Right to Work (Spanish)
• EEO is the Law
• Pay Transparency Notice

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.

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