6 Top Tech Companies to Work For in Seattle

Over the last few years, Seattle has quickly become the nation’s fastest-growing tech hub with talent rivaling that of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Pacific Northwest region is experiencing massive growth, with the Seattle area alone adding more than 30,000 jobs in 2016 and 2017—a growth rate of just over 25%.

According to Geekwire, the Seattle area supports 165,264 high tech software and services jobs, which totals nearly 42 percent of all office jobs in the area. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that workers in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everette Metropolitan area had an average hourly wage of $31.42 in May 2017—about 29 percent higher than the national average of $24.34 per hour.

With these statistics in mind, it is clear to see why Seattle is a hotspot for talent in the tech industry. Below is a curated list of companies headquartered in Seattle that professionals and job seekers with the desire to break into the scene should keep their eye on in 2019.

Top Tech Companies in the Seattle, Washington Area

1. Amazon

One of the biggest names in the Seattle tech scene is, of course, Amazon.

Amazon’s famed Seattle campus is comprised of more than 40 buildings featuring a wide array of amenities including mother’s rooms, prayer rooms, game rooms, and more. The company is also well known for allowing its employees to achieve a successful work-life balance by supporting telecommuting, flexible work environments, and community-oriented workspaces.

At any given time, Amazon’s Seattle campus has thousands of open jobs listed in categories such as software development; technical project, program, and product management; and systems, quality, and security engineering.

Because each of these positions requires its own unique mix of skills and experience, earning an advanced degree that aligns with the desired skill set and offers real, hands-on experiential learning can help you stand out from the competition and get your foot in the door. A Master of Science in Project Management, Computer Science, or Leadership & Management can all be good choices.

2. Tableau Software

Tableau is a software company founded in 2003 that specializes in creating interactive data visualization products focused on business intelligence. The company’s mission is to make a difference in the world by empowering people with data.

Tableau prides itself on being different from your average corporation. A key company value, as described in Tableau’s mission, is “we use our products.” The company not only listens to their customers’ needs, but they live them as well. In addition, Tableau is a data-focused company that is truly data-driven. Each decision made at the company is supported by fact, making it an ideal workplace for analytical thinkers.

Michael Truong, Channel Manager at Tableau, described what it’s like to work here. In his words, “I spent 10 years in public service and never thought I’d have this deep an impact at a software company. This is about much more than software.”

Professionals looking to join the Tableau team will find a plethora of job listings for open positions at their Seattle headquarters. As of April 2019, there are 170 positions available. Having an advanced degree focused on a specific set of skills can help you stand out in the pool of applicants. As Tableau is deeply focused on data and technology, a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics or a master’s degree in computer science could help.

3. Porch

Relatively new to the Seattle tech scene, Porch is an online platform where homeowners can connect with local home improvement contractors. The website was launched in 2013 and quickly became one of the fastest growing companies in Seattle with 3 million listed professionals and 130 million associated home improvement projects.

As the company has grown, Porch has created a team of hardworking professionals with a clear vision: “Every project done, every customer satisfied.” Matt Ehrlichman, Porch CEO, says, “I am blessed to lead a company that is filled with world-class people. I learn from them every day. They carry our values in everything they do. They are problem solvers, they persevere, they have empathy, and they care deeply. I simply could not ask for a better team.”

Some of the benefits of being a part of the Porch team include their generous vacation policy, comprehensive health plans, 401k program, and family leave. Aside from these explicit benefits, the company culture embodied by Porch makes it a great place to work. The team is always looking to grow, so be sure to check Porch’s career page to see available positions at their Seattle headquarters.

Careers at companies like Porch are in high demand, so it is important to have the appropriate skill set needed to excel in this environment. Due to the nature of Porch’s business, those with advanced degrees in project management or leadership may be a good fit for the company.

4. Microsoft

Another iconic resident in Seattle’s tech scene is, of course, Microsoft. The tech giant established its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, just outside of Seattle, in 1986 and has continued to expand ever since. Today, the enormous campus is roughly 8 million square feet and accommodates 30,000 to 40,000 employees. Those who work at Microsoft are able to take advantage of the various benefits of the expansive headquarters including unique outdoor meeting spaces, nearly two dozen cafes and restaurants, and multiple sports areas.

Microsoft’s corporate culture is yet another highlight of joining this large team. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the Microsoft community and greatly influences how the team operates. Within the company, employees have created nearly 50 communities focused on career development, support, mentoring, and other areas to help promote cultural awareness and team members are invited to join these groups or even create their own. Jennie Lay-Flurrie, Director of Accessibility, says, “Our commitment to empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more includes building out accessibility features in our existing products and services.”

Since Microsoft is such a large company, there is no surprise that there are always employment opportunities available for professionals in the tech industry. If you are interested to see what positions are currently open, be sure to keep an eye on the job openings at Microsoft’s Redmond Campus. A Master of Science in Information Systems or Innovation are good examples of in-demand advanced degrees that are held by many Microsoft employees.

5. SAP Concur

SAP Concur, formerly known as Concur Technologies, is a SaaS (software as a service) company that provides travel and expense management services to businesses. Concur’s cloud-based products help businesses run smoothly by offering employees an effortless experience and providing transparency into company spending. The company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, with various other offices throughout the world.

Concur’s Bellevue office is home to roughly 2500 employees that make up the company’s large, yet tight-knit team. The Bellevue location boasts large, open office spaces to facilitate collaboration and hosts monthly social activities, including company events in which the whole family is invited. In addition to taking care of its employees, Concur is also a socially responsible company that is passionate about giving back to the community. Through volunteerism and nonprofit investment, the Concur team works to build, develop, and strengthen the communities that they live and work in.

Since SAP Concur is a rapidly growing company, there are numerous employment opportunities available for rising professionals in the tech industry. Job titles such as software engineer, mobile developer, and application security architect are currently listed on SAP Concur’s career page.

As with many other software companies, a large percentage of Concur’s employees have a background in engineering or computer science, as well as project management. Earning a  Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering, Cybersecurity, or Project Management could help prepare you for the kind of work you’d be expected to complete as an employee.

6. Expedia Group

Known for its travel booking website, Expedia Group encompasses numerous other brands including Hotels.com, Travelocity, HomeAway, Trivago, Hotwire, and several more. The company was originally founded as a division of Microsoft in 1996 before it became its own entity in 1999. Expedia’s headquarters is currently located in Bellevue, Washington, with plans to move the Interbay neighborhood of Seattle by the end of this year.

Working at Expedia Group comes with its fair share of benefits. Employees are offered comprehensive health insurance, financial and retirement planning, flexible hours, tuition assistance, employee discounts, and the list goes on. As part of the “one team” principle—a guiding value of Expedia Group’s corporate culture—the company invests in its employees and acknowledges that each individual is valuable to the success of the team as a whole.

When asked what makes her team at Expedia Group unique, Divya Bhardwaj, Supervisor of International Payroll in Gurgaon, answered, “The people! I love the One Team, Group First culture and  the appetite for extraordinary customer service advanced from a diet of customer-centric values.”

Across all of its brands, Expedia Group is currently hiring for more than 200 positions in Seattle and Bellevue. If you are looking to join a global brand with a “one team” attitude, be sure to keep your eye on Expedia’s job listings.

Expedia Group has opportunities for people interested in numerous career paths from administration and management to technology and IT. Because each one of these paths requires its own set of professional skills, earning an advanced or graduate degree in your desired field of study will help you showcase your talents. Some related programs include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication, or Master of Science in Engineering Management.

Endless Opportunities for Growth in Seattle

In a region that is experiencing such explosive growth, it is easy to see why young professionals in the industry are searching for ways to break into the Seattle tech scene. There are countless opportunities for hardworking, motivated professionals to build their careers in the Seattle area.

Each of the companies listed above has partnered with Northeastern University-Seattle to bring unique opportunities to our students. Learn more about their co-op program, which helps students develop their professional skills through experiential learning at top companies in the Seattle, Washington area.