Next-Generation Technology & Data Talent program (Chicago)

Fitch Group•Chicago, IL

4d•$85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Fitch Group is currently seeking Associate Technologists for our Next-Generation Technology & Data Talent program (NeXT) based in our Chicago office As a leading, global financial information services provider, Fitch Group delivers vital credit and risk insights, robust data, and dynamic tools to champion more efficient, transparent financial markets. With over 100 years of experience and colleagues in over 30 countries, Fitch Group’s culture of credibility, independence, and transparency is embedded throughout its structure, which includes Fitch Ratings, one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of insights, data and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst. Fitch is committed to nurturing early talent by providing a collaborative and inclusive learning environment where individuals can thrive and grow. Our early talent programs are designed to cultivate the next generation of financial professionals by offering comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities. These programs provide participants with hands-on experience and exposure to various aspects of the financial industry, preparing them for successful careers at Fitch and beyond. The 12-month program will give candidates the training they need to become a successful technology professional within the Technology and Data Organization. The program is rotational, and each graduate trainee will receive intensive induction training before undertaking three, four-month placements within specialist areas of the team. These placements will include traditional development roles alongside quality assurance (QA), site reliability/DevOps, database management, and other technical disciplines (vibe code, low code, no code, etc..). Throughout the program we will provide training in a variety of subject matter, covering information about the Fitch's business and the current and next-generation technologies. The aim of the Technology and Data Organization is to enable Fitch’s business to operate more effectively—with better information, resilient platforms, and streamlined workflows—to produce high-quality ratings and research in a timely manner. Participants will learn to engage with business stakeholders, understand and document business needs, translate those needs into clear technical requirements and user stories, and deliver solutions that meet measurable outcomes. At the conclusion of the program, upon graduation, candidates will be placed on one of our technology teams across different disciplines.

Requirements

Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering or computer information systems
Graduating between December 2025 and June 2026 with a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Demonstrated knowledge of at least one or two programming languages (Python, Java, C#, JavaScript, etc.)
Understanding of software design patterns, ML and cloud computing fundamentals (AWS or similar platforms)
Hands-on experience with Gen AI-assisted software development tools (such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Cody or equivalent)
Proficiency in ML algorithms, such as multi-class classification, decision trees, support vector machines, and neural networks (deep learning experience strongly preferred)
Less than 6 months of full-time software engineering experience.

Nice To Haves

High levels of creativity, quick problem-solving capabilities; out-of-the-box thinking.
Great collaborator and team player with strong interpersonal skills.
Proven software engineering experience/interest through previous internships, work experience, or coding competitions.
Keen interest in learning new technologies, especially in Gen AI and agentic frameworks.

Responsibilities

Develop expertise in analysis, design, development, and testing software applications using modern application development frameworks, front-end, full-stack, and data engineering technologies, leveraging AI-assisted tooling and agentic frameworks.
Collaborate on the design, build, and testing of comprehensive, scalable, and secure data products and APIs.
Develop software using programming languages and/or frameworks such as Python, Java, Springboot, JavaScript, React or similar, applying knowledge of fundamental software engineering principles and design patterns.
Apply test-driven development and behavior-driven development techniques to optimize the software development process, leveraging best-in-class automation to conduct comprehensive quality assurance testing, including writing and maintaining automated test scripts.
Collaborate in developing and deploying ML & Gen AI solutions to meet enterprise goals and support innovation and experimentation, where applicable to your rotation
Work closely with the cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure) and application security teams to implement the best practices and standards for data loading, LLM workflows, DevOps, and DevSecOps.
Collaborate with Product Owners to understand the vision of Fitch products and their objectives, and translate business needs into clear technical requirements and user stories

Benefits

Access to regular training sessions hosted by senior members of the technology team
Proper guidance by mentors, team leaders, and peer buddies
Opportunity to work on real-time projects from day one
Experience working in various teams within the Technology and Data Organization (application development & testing, Site Reliability Engineering, Business Applications, Data Science and Machine Learning Engineering etc.), with exposure to software development and testing, cloud computing and DevOps, AI/ML, data analytics, etc.
Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required based on your line of business and location
A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
Inclusive Work Environment : A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community