The 20 Best Tech Companies in Chicago to Work for in 2019 - A Flatiron School Guide

The secret is out. Chicago is a growing tech hub where tech giants and tech startups alike are flocking to the city. The Windy City is already one of the largest tech employers in the United States, according to CompTIA’s Cyberstates 2019 report. Google, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Lyft, and many other leading tech companies have offices in Chicago. Illinois has also helped grow the city’s tech industry with the launch of 1871, a tech incubator that now houses 500 companies.

There are so many great tech companies in Chicago to work for in 2019 that it’s hard to choose just 20. With the help of the expert team at Flatiron School Chicago, who help students start tech careers and change the tech industry in the city every day, we were able to choose the 20 best tech companies in Chicago to work for in 2019. 

Our team looked at buzz, impact on the Chicago’s tech scene, funding rounds, and recognition from local and national publications. There are small Chicago startups hiring that were only founded in the last few years as well as large companies headquartered in Chicago on the list. Keep in mind, there are so many great tech companies in Chicago and promising Chicago tech jobs throughout the city, and this list is just a small representation of cool companies in Chicago's tech scene and community.

SpotHero

This Chicago technology startup is looking to solve Chicago’s parking issues and has secured $118 million in funding since being founded in 2011. SpotHero’s service has expanded to New York and San Francisco. SpotHero wants to use the latest funding to hire 50 software engineers in 2019, according to the Chicago Tribune. Learn more about SpotHero job openings here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.4 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Company culture, intelligent and hard-working people, growth opportunities

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Data Scientist (learn how to become one of these with our full-time data science program)

• Software Engineer, Backend

• Staff Engineer, Android

• Staff Engineer, iOS

Relativity

Relativity is an eDiscovery software company that makes data actionable. Relativity was named one of the best companies to work for in Chicago in 2019 by Fortune. Relativity’s success has led to a hiring surge this year with announced plans to hire 300 employees. The engineering, security and customer success teams are expected to grow significantly. Learn more about Relativity job openings here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.0 (200-250 reviews) Pros: Great people, casual work environment

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Advanced Software Engineer

• Lead Software Engineer (learn how to become a software engineer with our full-time software engineering program)

• Web Designer

• Database Administrator

G2 (Formerly G2 Crowd)

The business software and services review platform raised $55 million in funding in 2018 and has raised a total of $100 million in funding since being founded in 2012. Perks and benefits at this Chicago startup include unlimited vacation time, snacks, company outings, and free daily meals. Find out about G2 job openings here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.0 (50-100 reviews)

Pros: Catered lunch, unlimited vacation time, Knowledgeable management and leadership Cons: Growing pains associated with a startup, teams can feel siloed

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Jr. Front End Web Developer

• Solutions Engineer

• Junior Software Engineer

• Data Visualization Analyst

Narrative Science

Narrative Science is a software startup in Chicago that turns data into easily understood stories through artificial intelligence. Crain’s Chicago Business named Narrative Science its most innovative company in 2019 — and therefore one of the coolest companies in Chicago. To date, Narrative Science has secured $43 million in funding. Check out the available jobs for Narrative Science here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.5 (10-25 reviews) Pros: Mission-driven individuals, growth opportunities, work with advanced tech

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Full-Stack Software Engineer

• Senior Product Designer

• Senior Software Engineer, Back-End

• Senior Software Engineer, Front-End

Tempus

Tempus is a precision medicine startup that uses AI to personalize medical treatments. To date, the company has raised $520 million in funding. Many employees say they love working at a mission-driven company. Learn more about open roles with Tempus here.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.2 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Mission-driven individuals, ability to make an impact

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Data Scientist 

• Computer Vision/Deep Learning Scientist

• Software Engineer

• Senior Python Engineer

Uptake

Uptake is an industrial analytics platform that uses AI to prevent machine failures and to provide industrial solutions. The Chicago startup achieved unicorn status and has raised $250 million in funding since being founded in 2014. Find out about job opportunities with Uptake here. 

Glassdoor Rating: 3.1 (100-150 reviews) Pros: Learning opportunities, tackling interesting challenges

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Data Scientist 

• Senior Software Engineer

• Senior Digital Designer

WyzAnt

This education startup helps parents find online, on-demand tutors for their children. Office perks include unlimited paid time off, company outings, and paid volunteer time. WyzAnt states it’s the “largest tutoring marketplace in the U.S.” and supports more than a million hours of instruction per year.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.3 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Nice office, intelligent co-workers

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Project Manager

• Senior Software Engineer

• DevOps Engineer

Showpad

Showpad is a SaaS startup and its sales enablement platform is used by some of the largest companies in the world. Showpad started in Ghent, Belgium, but has since expanded to several offices, including the U.S. headquarters located in Chicago.  This education startup helps parents find online, on-demand tutors for their children. Office perks include weekly catered lunches, volunteer opportunities, snacks, and quarterly team outings. Learn more about openings at Showpad in Chicago here. 

Glassdoor Rating: 4.2 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Nice office, intelligent co-workers

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Web Developer

• Salesforce Engineer

• Senior DevOps Engineer

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is an email marketing and marketing automation startup. Its platform help small businesses automate tedious tasks to help grow their business. ActiveCampaign was named the best B2B tech company in Illinois by G2. Office perks include daily catered lunches, full medical insurance coverage, unlimited vacation time, and free public transportation benefits. Check out the open positions with ActiveCampaign here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.2 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Nice office, intelligent co-workers

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Senior Data Engineer

• Front End Engineer

• Java Software Engineer

• JavaScript Engineer

Reverb

The music gear marketplace was recently acquired by Etsy, but both companies have stated the Chicago office will operate autonomously and continue to hire new talent, according to Built in Chicago. That’s great news for anyone interested in joining a rapidly growing startup. Check out the current openings at Reverb here.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.7 (10-50 reviews) Pros: Work/life balance, health benefits, office culture

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Android Engineer

• Full-Stack Engineer

• Data Engineer

• Senior Product Manager

MorningStar

MorningStar was founded in 1984, long before the rise of the internet and Silicon Valley. But, the financial services company continues to innovate, most recently launching several crypto asset rating services. Check out the current openings at MorningStar here.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.8 (1,000+ reviews) Pros: Growth opportunities, friendly co-workers, knowledgeable management and leadership

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Senior Technology Leader

• Software Engineer

• UX Designer

• Java Engineer

Braintree

Braintree is a payment service provider that was acquired by PayPal in 2013. Braintree has generated plenty of buzz and is routinely named a leader in the growing ePayment services market. Check out the current openings at Braintree here. 

Glassdoor Rating: 4.4 (50-100 reviews) Pros: Benefits, office culture, mentorship

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Product Manager

• Software Engineer

• Senior Software Engineer

Centro

Centro, as a marketing agency, wants to help companies improve their digital media performance. As Centro continues to grow, with an estimated annual revenue of $150 million, it’ll need tech talent to “transform the industry.” Check out the current openings at Centro here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.1 (250-300 reviews) Pros: Supportive office culture, growth opportunities, management training

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Senior UI Engineer

• Software Engineer

• Senior Software Engineer

Trunk Club

Chances are you’ve seen one of their commercials. Backed by Nordstrom, Trunk Club is part of the evolving retail industry that’s shifted from malls to online and subscription services, and is one of the best companies in Chicago. Check out the current openings at Trunk Club here.

Glassdoor Rating: 2.6 (350-400 reviews) Pros: Office culture, collaborative environment, discounts

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Data Scientist

• Data Engineer

• Senior Software Engineer

HERE Technologies

Founded in 1985, Here Technologies is a location technology company. It’s three-dimensional maps and location data are used in autonomous driving and the Internet of Things. Check out the current openings at HERE Technologies here.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.6 (1,000+ reviews) Pros: Flexible work hours, innovative company, growth opportunities

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Lead DevOps Engineer

• Software Engineer - Autonomous Cars

• Principal Data Scientist

Sprout Social

Sprout Social, the social media growth startup, just keeps growing. The company was founded in 2010 with $1 million in funds. By 2014, it raised an additional $18 million and reached 100 employees. In 2019, it has raised an additional $82.5 million with over 500 employees worldwide. Check out the current openings at Sprout Social here. 

Glassdoor Rating: 4.8 (200-250 reviews) Pros: Work/life balance, happy employees, growth opportunities

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Product Designer

• Senior Software Engineer - Platform

• Senior Software Engineer - Site Reliability

• Engineering Director

SAP Fieldglass

For two decades, SAP Fieldglass continues to innovate and has grown from a startup in 1999 to an international company with over 1,000 employees. SAP Fieldglass develops Vendor Management Software and cloud-based solutions to some of the largest companies in Chicago and the world. Check out the current openings at SAP Fieldglass here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.0 (0-10 reviews) Pros: Talented employees, innovative company, office culture

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Data Scientist

• Analytics Engineer

• Senior Developer

• Application Engineer

ThoughtWorks

ThoughtWorks is a global software consultancy with over 6,000 employees — one of the largest software companies in Illinois.. The company continues to develop innovative solutions, including open source software, that help shape the tech industry. Check out the current openings at ThoughtWorks here. 

Glassdoor Rating: 4.3 (1,000+ reviews) Pros: Office culture, diversity and inclusion, innovative technology

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Lead Software Developer

• Lead Data Engineer

• Platform Architect

• Infrastructure Developer

Sittercity

Sittercity wants to “make child care finally work” with the creation of an easy-to-use marketplace so families can hire in-home care. Perks at the mission-driven company include open PTO, a dog-friendly office, and volunteer opportunities. Check out the current openings at Sittercity here.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.9 (25-50 reviews) Pros: Interesting work, smart employees, growth opportunities

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Full Stack Engineer

• Senior Front End Developer

• Software Developer

project44

project44 is using innovative tech solutions to help solve complex logistics and supply chain problems. It was named one of the best places to work in Chicago in 2019 by Built in Chicago, and is one of the top companies headquarted in Chicago. Check out the current openings at project44 here.

Glassdoor Rating: 4.2 (25-50 reviews) Pros: Office perks, smart employees, innovative company

Chicago tech jobs open:

• Senior Product Designer

• DevOps Engineer

• Software Engineer

There it is, the 20 best companies to work for in Chicago, and some of its coolest startup companies.

We encourage everyone to check out the list, attend a Meetup or free coding class, and get involved in the Chicago tech community. With Flatiron School, you can find a company that’s right for you and join the city’s growing tech scene.

We teach students — in as little as 15 weeks — the skills they need to become software engineers, data scientists, or cybersecurity professionals.

We also offer our online software engineering course, online data science course, and online cybersecurity course. These courses teacah the same curricula as our in-person courses, and are all aimed at helping you jumpstart your career and your future.

We've also published the best companies to work for in Denver and the best tech companies to work for in NYC.