What are the best tech companies to work for in Houston?

[mmtimm]

For such a large city there has to be some decent opportunities...?

[Stefan_Theard]

There are plenty good ones and tons of miserable ones. It depends on what you are looking for and what your expertise is. I am a software developer so I can comment from that end. HP, IBM, and Microsoft all have offices here. If you are looking to work in a bigger corporation style environment I have heard good reviews on all three. Also in the bigger company range would be any of the oil and gas companies. They all have technology positions. eg. Schlumberger, Shell, BP, etc. Also if you're into aerospace there's a lot of stuff in that industry closer to NASA eg. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.

If you are looking for startups you'll have a harder time but there are a few: molecule.io goco.io and hvst.com are all based in Houston.

[Ron_Vutpakdi]

What kind of technology and role interests you?

Pure technology companies tend to center around oil and gas, aerospace, and medical domains and have both software and hardware components. HP still has a sizable campus on the northwest side.

That said, there are firms like AIG, Insperity, Fiserv, and PROS that have a large software contingent in order to deliver their services.

Also keep in mind that the Houston area is very large so where you live relative to the company will matter if you want to minimize the time spent commuting.

[mmtimm]

Thanks for the suggestions Stefan and Ron!

I'm a Mid-Senior level UX/UI Designer with web and mobile application experience. My last job was at a successful Higher Ed startup and I loved that atmosphere. It's not as easy to find here, but I'll have to look into the suggested companies above.

Ron your point about Houston being large is spot on. Unlike most Northeast cities, living close to downtown does not necessarily mean you will be closer to work. A lot of the opportunities I'm coming across at larger organizations are at least a 45 minute commute out of the city!