The secret is out. Chicago is a growing tech hub where giants and 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 startups that were only founded in the last few years and large, multinational companies on the list. Keep in mind, there are so many great tech companies in Chicago and this list is just a small representation of the city’s great tech scene and community.
SpotHero
This 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
Typical Tech Roles:
Data Scientist
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
Typical Tech Roles:
Advanced Software Engineer
Lead Software Engineer
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 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
Typical Tech Roles:
Jr. Front End Web Developer
Solutions Engineer
Junior Software Engineer
Data Visualization Analyst
Narrative Science
Narrative Science is a software startup that turns data into easily understood stories through artificial intelligence. Crain’s Chicago Business named Narrative Science its most innovative company in 2019. 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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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. Check out the current openings at Trunk Club here.
Glassdoor Rating: 2.6 (350-400 reviews) Pros: Office culture, collaborative environment, discounts
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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 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
Typical Tech Roles:
Data Scientist
Analytics Engineer
Senior Developer
Application Engineer
ThoughtWorks
ThoughtWorks is a global software consultancy with over 6,000 employees. 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
Typical Tech Roles:
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
Typical Tech Roles:
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. Check out the current openings at project44 here.
Glassdoor Rating: 4.2 (25-50 reviews) Pros: Office perks, smart employees, innovative company
Typical Tech Roles:
Senior Product Designer
DevOps Engineer
Software Engineer
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.
Charles Poladian
Copywriter
Charles Poladian is a copywriter for Flatiron School. He previously worked as a journalist and his work has appeared in the International Business Times and Mashable. Charles currently lives in Brooklyn.