It seems you can’t pick up an Arizona publication these days without seeing an article about one company or another expanding their tech presence here in the Grand Canyon State. Whether it is large corporations looking to hire hundreds, if not thousands of engineers, or a startup with the next innovative idea – the competition is heating up for tech talent. Long gone are the days where only Facebook, Google, or Apple needed the best and the brightest in IT. Today every company, in one way or another, is a technology company. Those that embrace this fact will help to shape our world in the coming years. Those that don’t, well, you get the idea.

In order to attract and retain the best talent, companies are stepping up their culture game in a variety of innovative ways – going above and beyond in creating inclusive work environments, offering cool perks, taking employee autonomy to the next level, building more collaborative and creative office spaces, and more.

As we at BestCompaniesAZ, Arizona’s employer branding partner, have studied the landscape over the past several months, a few companies really stood out from the pack. In the coming months we will share the stories of these Top Tech Companies and what sets them apart. Some are newer to the scene here in Arizona, while others are familiar brands that are expanding their footprint. They span industries from FinTech to HealthTech to TechTech (that’s our made up name for those in what folks have historically called the tech sector), and beyond.

Let’s meet the 10 that are helping to lead the way as Arizona continues to become a hub for tech and innovation:

Charles Schwab

For more than 40 years, Charles Schwab has been helping investors, and those who serve them, transform lives and realize dreams. Every decision made by Schwab is based on seeing things through the eyes of its clients. Schwab’s culture of service makes it a special place to work. “Schwabbies,” as the employees are known, are forward-thinking, optimistic and passionate. They value transparency and integrity, things that are at the heart of all they do for their clients and one another.

Schwab’s technology and digital teams challenge the status quo on behalf of their clients and those who serve them. They recently announced new Digital Accelerator teams who will “rapidly ideate, iterate and test new ideas related to specific user journeys or specific business opportunities.” The goal of their work is to deliver intuitive experiences with easy-to-use tools for their current clients, and those who may need help to achieve better financial outcomes.

American Express

American Express is a global services company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Innovation is at the heart of everything American Express does. When you join the American Express Technology team, you’ll focus on creating a more powerful, personal and fulfilling experience for their customers. The tech teams function like small businesses. Everyone works hard together – encouraging each other to push boundaries. You will have the creative freedom to dive into new methodologies, ideas and solutions. If you love to write code, work with APIs, want to create breakthrough software, or identify opportunities for new technologies, apply for a position with American Express.

Clearlink

Since 2003, Clearlink, a SYKES company headquartered in Salt Lake City, provides content marketing and sales conversion services to a variety of consumer brands belonging to Fortune 500 companies. In May of 2016, Clearlink expanded its footprint in Arizona with the opening of a new call center in Scottsdale at the Galleria Corporate Centre in Downtown Scottsdale. The location is approaching almost 400 employees, with plenty of more growth on the way.

Clearlink’s strategy combines the best people with the smartest technology to provide intelligent marketing, sales, and data science solutions for the world’s leading brands. This connected approach to the customer experience results in a partnership committed to innovative thinking, rapid deployment, and impactful, long-term growth.

Freedom Financial Network

Freedom Financial Network is a family of companies that takes a people-first approach to financial services, using technology to empower consumers to overcome debt and create a brighter financial future. The company was founded in 2002 on the belief that by staying committed to helping people, you can ensure better financial outcomes for both the customer and the business. This “Heart + $” philosophy still guides the vision of their growing company, which has helped millions of people find solutions for their financial needs. In order to create brighter futures for clients, employees, and businesses, Freedom Financial Network holds itself to four core values that have grown out of their Heart + $ philosophy: to care for everyone around them, act with integrity every time, collaborate with everybody they work with, and get better at what they do every day.

Dignity Health

At Dignity Health, it’s the spirit of kindness that guides the organization as a beacon of light for an industry facing challenges and change. As a member of Dignity Health’s team, you’ll have the opportunity to champion the change they’d like to see by joining in its mission of healing through humankindness.

As one of the nation’s leading health systems, Dignity Health is pioneering a brand new IT organization from the ground up, and that means immense opportunities for IT professionals. Imagine equipping an entire system of hospitals with a consistent platform of integrated technology, or seeing your innovative ideas directly impact patient outcomes. The company’s IT Services group serves as a collaborative partner in leveraging the power of humankindness. Dignity Health delivers the advanced knowledge and technologies that enable its teams to provide the best care possible.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy’s mission is to radically shift the global economy toward life-fulfilling independent ventures, helping its customers by giving them the tools, insights and the people to transform their ideas and personal initiative into success. GoDaddy builds technology that launches peoples’ dreams, fuels business growth, and impacts economies by the millions.

The company exists by living its strategy and ruthlessly prioritizing its work to create simple, elegant technology that delights its customers. Everyday, GoDaddy joins forces across teams and groups to break down barriers, build new markets and stare down the impossible. GoDaddy is an inclusive workplace that wants its employees to be comfortable enough to bring their authentic, whole selves to work. Learn more about GoDaddy’s unique culture and open jobs by clicking here.

Infusionsoft

Infusionsoft understands that growing a small business is hard. So that’s why, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, it is solving the biggest growth challenges for small businesses so they don’t have to make so many sacrifices on their path to success. Infusionsoft believes in the passions and dreams of entrepreneurs because they are job creators, problem solvers, innovators and the backbone of the economy. The organization doesn’t solve problems for its small business customers by being just another software company; it helps small businesses succeed with trusted and proven small business expertise, an award-winning sales and marketing automation platform, and the largest ecosystem of small business partners, apps and technologies.

Infusionsoft understands the joys and pains of entrepreneurship which is why it is focused on simplifying sales and marketing so that entrepreneurs can spend more time doing what they love.

USAA

USAA is unlike any other financial-technology service organization. When you join USAA, you’ll become part of a thriving community committed to going above for those who have gone beyond: the men and women of the U.S. military, their associates and their families. USAA draws upon its unique understanding of the military community’s lives and livelihood, and its own financial strength, to provide a full range of highly competitive financial products and services for every stage of life.

USAA announced plans to hire up to 1,000 technology professionals until the end of 2020 at its Phoenix campus. This growth emphasizes the organization’s long standing focus on superior member services by bringing innovative products and experiences to market, as technology advancements move at an unprecedented pace. Growing its technology capabilities is a focus for USAA as it seeks to anticipate changing member needs. Expanding technology capabilities in Phoenix is part of a larger strategy to hire the best talent around all of USAA’s campuses.

Freedom Financial

Freedom Financial Network is a family of companies that takes a people-first approach to financial services, using technology to empower consumers to overcomes debt and create a brighter financial future. The company was founded in 2002 by Brad Stroh and Andrew Housser on the belief that by staying committed to helping people, you can ensure better financial outcomes for both the customer and the business. This Heart + $ philosophy still guides the vision of our growing company, which has helped millions of people find solutions for their financial needs.

Freedom Financial Network is expanding in Tempe with the opening of its new 150,000 square foot building. This expansion will contribute approximately $306.8 million to the Arizona economy in 2018 and 4,130 direct, indirect and induced jobs. There are many open positions available at Freedom – head here if you’re interested in learning more!

TEKsystems

At TEKsystems, technology is more than the company’s value proposition – it’s more of an obsession and the belief that it has the power to change everything. Technology fuels TEKsystems’ passion for and commitment to helping organizations do what they set out to. When the company engages, it brings fresh ideas that help you galvanize your performance, refine your strategy and spark new energy. The future – and how we get there – depends on those who build, connect, create and transform our world. The most successful and innovative businesses are already doing it, and TEKsystems is comprised of the skilled experts needed to help these businesses thrive.

Our future is about more than just technology. It’s about people. It’s about our communities and surroundings, and how we work together to keep it together. TEKsystems goes the extra mile to make trustworthy decisions, take responsible action, encourage and create positive impact.

VIXXO

Vixxo is a leading facility management company for many Fortune 500 clients in the restaurant, retail, convenience, and supermarket industries. Their solutions are designed to optimize clients’ multisite portfolios by improving service delivery, reducing costs and providing strategic insights – all aimed at lowering total cost of ownership. The company’s trusted associates, innovative technology solutions and proven results are the culmination of nearly 40 years of facilities management experience.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Vixxo maintains a national network of 150,000 service provider technicians and services over 65,000+ client locations in the United States and Canada.

Bank of the West

For more than three decades, Bank of the West has been delivering the financial solutions and insights game-changing enterprises need to thrive. Bank of the West offers comprehensive banking and financing services that support the complete business cycle – from start-up to international expansion.

Bank of the West’s Tempe office is located at 1625 W. Fountainhead Parkway and will host to up to 1,000 employees at its state-of-the-art facility that includes an on-site cafeteria, gym and game room. At Bank of the West, team members have a responsibility to promote diversity and inclusion at every level within their organization. All team members complete diversity and inclusion training to enhance their knowledge as part of the company’s goals. It’s their diverse and inclusive culture that attracts, engages and retains the best talent.

To learn more about these top tech companies, click here.

 

Denise Gredler is CEO and founder of BestCompaniesAZ.