For years, Toronto has overshadowed the city of Vancouver in terms of overall tech talent in Canada. The bustling metropolis is known worldwide as the third-largest tech market in North America, a title that has attracted an array of high-performing technology organizations and high-talent individuals to the area.
While Toronto still holds this highly regarded position as a top technology hub in the region, however, today it is Vancouver’s tech industry that’s making headlines. In fact, Vancouver tech industry saw the highest five-year growth rate of 68.6% between 2017 and 2022 in terms of total tech occupations. Additionally, a recent report highlights Vancouver’s growth of 75,693 tech jobs this year and its projected to increase to 84,723 by 2028.
This exponential growth in the city’s technology industry has led to a substantial increase in job opportunities for those with the proper training and background. In fact, Vancouver is also expected to see a significant increase in tech jobs of 11.9% by 2028.
Though there are currently thousands of organizations shaping the landscape of the tech industry in Vancouver today, a few companies rise to the top for hiring potential this year. Read on to explore which companies make the list, the types of positions they’re hiring for, and how you can become a competitive candidate within this growing industry.
10 top Vancouver tech companies
1. Hootsuite
Overview: Hootsuite is a social media platform that helps teams manage their social content more easily through a digital dashboard. The organization is based in Vancouver and has grown substantially since its launch in 2008, boasting over 18 million customers. After raising an additional $50M in growth capital, the company is looking to expand even further into the market, leading to the addition of many positions in both the Vancouver-based headquarters and in global offices around the world.
Open positions: Hootsuite is currently hiring for several roles across an array of specialties. The majority of the roles, however, relate to technology and the development of the software needed to run this platform and its various applications. Some of the top open tech positions include:
- Senior principal software developer
- Intermediate software developer, data technology
- Team lead, mobile development
Work environment: The team at Hootsuite is known for being inclusive, passionate, and innovative. The organization is B Corp-certified and strives to create an environment in which its employees can continue to learn and grow. Health and wellness programs, vacation and leaves, and work-from-home policies stand out as highlights of the employee benefits package, alongside exciting perks such as on-campus fitness options, massages, and snacks.
2. 2K
Overview: 2K is a premier global publisher, developer, and distributor of creative and innovative interactive entertainment. Renowned for its highly acclaimed video game titles across various genres, 2K has a strong portfolio that includes sports, action, family entertainment, and role-playing games. With headquarters in Novato, California, and several development studios and offices around the world, 2K aims to redefine the way millions of players consume and experience games.
Open positions: 2K is on a mission to enhance its global talent pool and is currently hiring for multiple positions in its offices worldwide, including a significant number of roles in its Canadian operations. Some of the top tech and creative roles 2K is actively recruiting for include:
Work environment: 2K is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the creativity and diversity of its community of gamers. This commitment has led to its recognition as a top employer in the gaming industry. The company fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and dynamic work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Employees at 2K enjoy a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive health care, flexible work schedules, and generous time off policies. Moreover, 2K supports continuous learning and professional development through workshops, seminars, and access to industry conferences, ensuring its teams remain at the forefront of technology and game development.
Interested in earning an advanced degree?
Explore Northeastern’s 200+ programs to find the one that will best help you achieve your goals.
3. Amazon
Overview: Amazon is known worldwide for its array of tech-based services, including those rooted in e-commerce, digital streaming, and even artificial intelligence. It is no surprise why it is now regarded by TIME as one of the most influential companies. Amazon’s consistent introduction of new features, subscriptions, and products has allowed the tech-giant to continue growing in both size and impact over the past decade.
Amazon employs 1.52 million people as of this year, landing the organization the title of the second-largest employer in the U.S.—though America isn’t the only region seeing the benefits of Amazon’s success. In Vancouver alone, Amazon employs over 10,000 professionals and is expected to grow even further in the future.
Open positions: Amazon’s addition of over 4,000 roles within the next three years provides exciting career opportunities for those in the Vancouver area with the corresponding technical skills. Some of the top open tech positions include:
- Software development engineer, artificial general intelligence
- Senior data engineer
- Software development engineer, AWS Kubernetes (K8s)
- Software development engineer
Work environment:Amazon has been ranked among the top places to work by LinkedIn for the past three years, breaking into the number one spot this year. Contributing to this title is an array of impactful employee benefits, including flexible healthcare options, employee discounts, and a slew of personal support systems such as adoption assistance, unique maternity and paternity leave programs, and even financial counseling services. The company is known for its highly innovative culture, as well as its focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It is also dedicated to employee growth, having pledged to upskill 100,000 employees by 2025 in an effort to help “Amazonians” from a variety of backgrounds obtain the skills necessary to advance into highly technical positions within the organization.
4. Fujitsu
Overview: Fujitsu is a Japanese information and communication technology organization and the seventh-largest IT services provider in the world. According to its website, Fujitsu offers “a full range of technology products, solutions, and services” to customers in 100 countries, and aims to “shape the future” with its work. In 2019, this tech-giant opened an international headquarters for artificial intelligence (AI) services in Vancouver—the first of its kind for the company outside of Japan. This move has not only contributed to Vancouver’s emerging reputation as a hub for AI and machine learning, but has also introduced a variety of exciting career opportunities for tech experts living in the region.
Open positions: Currently, the company is hiring for 22 open positions across Canada, though there is incredible potential for more open roles as Fujitsu continues to establish its Vancouver presence. Some of the current open tech positions include:
Work environment: Fujitsu employs 124,000 individuals across 100 countries, creating a workforce of diverse professionals from a variety of unique backgrounds. Employees at this organization are exposed to an exciting, international environment, and are often provided with opportunities to travel to or transfer between locations. What’s more, Fujitsu provides comparable healthcare coverage, a 401K match plan, and an education reimbursement program for employees looking to advance their careers with a degree.
5. Microsoft
Overview: Microsoft is a technology company that has expanded to touch almost every aspect of its consumers’ digital lives. Top brands that fall under the Microsoft umbrella include Office, Windows, Surface, Xbox, and more. The company is dedicated to innovation and works to mitigate the idea that “technology can and should be a force for good.” Currently, the tech giant is working on an expansion of their Vancouver presence with the addition of a completed 75,000 square foot office space.
Open positions: The organization is currently hiring at Microsoft Vancouver across its various brands, alongside additional roles throughout Canada. Some of the top tech positions available include:
- Senior software engineering manager
- Software engineer II
- Digital and application innovation specialist
- Cloud solution architect
- Senior software engineer
Work environment: Microsoft invests heavily in its five core values, including innovation, diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility, AI, and trustworthy computing. Alongside flexible work schedules, programs that help employees plan for the future, and extensive health benefits, this organization also offers its employees a variety of trendy perks. On-campus retail shops and services, social clubs and networks, and a plethora of employee resources for professional development are just a few of the benefits that help to set Microsoft apart.
6. SAP Canada
Overview: SAP is the “market leader in enterprise application software” that specializes in “helping companies of all sizes and industries run their best.” According to its website, a shockingly high 77% of the world’s transaction revenue touches an SAP system. This Canadian subsidiary of SAP is based in Toronto, Ontario, but has a research and development presence in multiple Canadian cities. Vancouver specifically is home to the largest Canadian development center, SAP Labs Vancouver, which was originally developed to keep up with the company’s regional growth in the mid-2010s and has since expanded in order to keep up with the influx of tech talent to the area.
Open positions: SAP employs 3,110 professionals in Canada. It is currently hiring for various roles in Vancouver, as well as another 66 positions across the rest of its Canadian locations. Top open tech roles at this time include:
Work environment: This year, SAP was voted one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This high ranking is due in large part to both the balanced work environment the organization creates and the benefits employees can enjoy. Alongside healthcare coverage, 401K savings plans, and wellness offerings, SAP is invested in their employees’ professional development and offers training programs aimed at ensuring these individuals remain robot-proof in an ever-changing industry.
7. Take-Two Interactive Software
Overview: Take-Two Interactive Software is a leading global developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. The company is renowned for producing some of the most critically acclaimed video games in the industry, including titles from its flagship labels Rockstar Games and 2K. Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two operates worldwide through its various subsidiaries and divisions, continually pushing the boundaries of digital entertainment with innovative and engaging gaming experiences. With a robust pipeline of new titles and technologies slated for release, Take-Two is poised for significant growth and is committed to expanding its talented team of professionals.
Open positions: Take-Two Interactive Software is in a period of exciting growth and is actively recruiting for a variety of roles across its global locations. The company is looking for talented individuals to join its diverse team and contribute to the development of groundbreaking games and technologies. A role currently open at Take-Two includes:
Work environment: Take-Two Interactive Software prides itself on a work culture that is both creative and inclusive, fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Recognized as one of the best places to work in the gaming industry, Take-Two offers its employees a dynamic workplace with excellent career advancement opportunities. Benefits include competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, flexible working conditions, and a supportive atmosphere that promotes personal and professional growth. The company also places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and offers various wellness programs to ensure the well-being of its team members.
8. Thinkific
Overview: Thinkific is a digital platform that allows users to “create, market, and sell their own online courses.” The platform currently hosts over 40,000 creators across 164 countries and is known for its ease of use for both the course designers and their audiences. Based in Vancouver, the tech company is looking to expand its local presence with the addition of new roles in their Vancouver location.
Open positions: Though there will be more open positions to fill in the coming months, Thinkific is currently hiring for five roles in its Vancouver location, including:
Work environment: Since its founding in 2012, this organization has established itself as a prime example of positive workplace culture. Top company values include “succeeding together,” “being helpful,” “striving for equality,” and “choosing ethics and integrity,” which each contribute to the overall collaborative vibe of the workplace. Other employee benefits include an open vacation policy, flexible work opportunities, competitive benefits packages, and educational resources for professional development.
9. Electronic Arts
Overview: Electronic Arts—known more commonly as EA—is a “digital interactive entertainment” organization that specializes in games, content, and online services. With gaming franchises ranging from EA Sports to The Sims, EA has made a name for itself as a global leader in the tech and gaming industries. The company has studios across the globe, including a location in Vancouver, which is home to some of the brand’s largest franchises as well as a few of the organization’s corporate teams.
Open positions: To keep up with the demand of the gaming and technology industries, EA is currently hiring for 170 open positions in Vancouver alone. Some of the top tech roles available include:
Work environment: With core beliefs that revolve around creativity, pioneering, passion, determination, learning, and teamwork, EA has worked to develop an engaging and collaborative environment among employees. The organization emphasizes employee health and wellbeing and provides a slew of fun perks befitting of a company built on gaming. What’s more, family-focused benefits such as maternity and paternity leave, flexible work hours, and childcare resources complement a comfortable paid time off program for those with commitments outside of the office.
10. Dropbox
Overview: Dropbox is a leading global cloud storage and collaboration platform that revolutionizes the way people and teams work together. With a strong emphasis on simplifying the user experience and enhancing productivity through innovative cloud solutions, Dropbox has become an essential tool for millions of users worldwide. Headquartered in San Francisco with offices across North America and globally, Dropbox continues to expand its reach and capabilities.
Open positions: Dropbox is actively seeking to bolster its workforce to support its growth and innovation strategies, with numerous positions available globally, including a number of them in Canada. Current key tech roles open at Dropbox include:
Work environment: Dropbox places a high priority on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values the well-being and professional growth of its employees. This commitment to its workforce has earned Dropbox repeated accolades as one of the Best Places to Work. The company offers a dynamic work environment with flexible working conditions, generous vacation allowances, and comprehensive benefits packages. Additionally, Dropbox is dedicated to providing various professional development opportunities, including educational reimbursements and training programs, to help employees advance their careers within the tech industry.
Setting yourself up for success with a master’s degree from Northeastern
As Vancouver continues to grow as a tech hub in Canada, the job market will become saturated with qualified professionals looking for work. For this reason, individuals hoping to gain employment at one of these notable Vancouver tech companies should take the necessary steps to differentiate themselves from others in the field.
One of the most strategic ways to do this is to enroll in a Master of Science in Computer Science program at a top university like Northeastern. This program is offered in five of Northeastern’s regional locations, including on-ground in Vancouver itself. Professionals who participate will have the chance to learn advanced CS skills from industry-leading faculty, network with fellow professionals, and apply their skills hands-on within many of the top tech companies on this list and beyond. Through the pursuit of this advanced training, graduates can set themselves apart in the competitive Vancouver job market, and successfully land one of the coveted roles in the lucrative tech industry.
Related Articles
Why This Alum Decided to Earn His Master’s Degree in Computer Science
The Top 10 Highest-Paying Big Data Careers
Data Scientist vs. Data Analyst: What’s the Difference?