Do you want to take your career to the next level?
If the answer is yes, what does that actually look like? Is it becoming a front-end engineer at a company that encourages sustainable spending? How about a propulsion technician at a company that’s 3D printing a rocket to send to space? Or is becoming a customer success manager at a company that helps clients manage influencer campaigns more your style?
If you’re looking for a way to take your career to the next level, we’ve got you covered. Built In LA found six local companies that are leading the charge in innovative technology solutions — as well as actively looking for fresh talent.
Read on to learn about the companies that can help your career thrive.
What they do: Using a mix of intelligent robotics, cutting-edge software and 3D-printed metal, Relativity Space aims to make interplanetary travel and settlement a reality. Currently, the company is working on its first orbital launch, which will send a 3D-printed rocket to space. It’s scheduled to occur later this year, Senior Software Engineer Matt Golden said.
What was the deciding factor for you when you accepted your job at your current company?
The sheer amount of potential Relativity Space has was the deciding factor for me. I was skeptical of the concept of 3D printing an entire rocket at first. But as I learned more about Relativity Space, I realized it’s not only possible but will soon be a reality, given Relativity’s approach and talented team.
Prior to Relativity, I spent the better part of a decade writing software at Google, specifically within ad planning. Through that experience, I learned a lot about how complex software systems are designed, built and maintained.
Ultimately, I sought to maximize my positive contributions to the future of our civilization. Relativity Space’s potential and mission drew me in. It’s been incredible to see the company’s progress since I joined. Witnessing the impacts of my personal contributions has been the most rewarding experience of my career.
Since joining the company, it’s been incredible to see the impacts of my personal contributions.”
Looking to the future, what excites you most about where your company is headed?
The future of Relativity is bright. With our first orbital launch, which is currently scheduled for late 2021, we are headed (quite literally) to space. Looking further forward, it’s a very real possibility that the technology we are developing today will be the core of off-world construction tomorrow. Our goal is to print and launch the first rocket on Mars. But our tech, autonomous large-scale 3D metal printing, could be used to print structures on the moon or Mars, as well as in orbit.
To get there, we’ll need a strong software backbone. There’s a huge opportunity to build out all parts of our system including embedded software, automated deployment and configuration systems, machine learning and computer vision systems, and web tools to improve the efficiency of all teams. Additionally, Relativity Space leadership recognizes the value of software and is willing to make the investments needed to enable us to build world-class software.
I’m excited to build the tools that will take us to the first flight.
What they do: Epirus is a hardware company that combines talents from aerospace and technology with experienced combat veterans to design and deliver new technologies. Scott Buetow said that as a software engineer, he’s looking forward to expanding the company’s use of both machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies.
As a tenured employee, what has been the biggest reason you’ve stayed at your company so long?
One of the most important reasons I’ve stayed at Epirus is the fast-paced, agile mentality of the employees and leadership. Instead of putting processes in place to try and control every aspect of operations, the company entrusts decisions to the employees to make progress as quickly as possible. This gives all team members the freedom and flexibility to use the best tool or method for the job and also empowers them to take ownership of their tasks and make the biggest impact possible. Everyone is allowed and encouraged to step up and wear multiple hats whenever needed.
I’ve stayed at Epirus because of the fast-paced, agile mentality of the employees and leadership.”
Looking to the future, what excites you most about where your company is headed?
I’m really excited to increase the capability of our products and ensure they are ready for our customers in the field. In addition, expanding the autonomy of our system is an area that I’m looking forward to contributing to, specifically the use of machine learning techniques and AI. We’re exploring a lot of new technologies for the future — and as an engineer, this equates to fun on the job.
What they do: CreatorIQ is a cloud solution that enables brands to manage and optimize their influencer campaigns. As influencer marketing becomes more popular, Senior Director of Product and Integrations Lyn de Leon said that she’s excited to help brands open up their advertising budgets to include ambassador programs.
What was the deciding factor for you when you accepted your job at your current company?
I was employee No. 12 when I joined CreatorIQ over three years ago now. The biggest deciding factor for me was the autonomy I had to pave my own career path with adhocracy. The company was in its very early stages, which in turn meant the product and services were just as young. This alone meant I would have the opportunity to help define and greatly influence the product roadmap to build high value and high impact feature sets.
The biggest deciding factor for me was the autonomy I had to pave my own career path with adhocracy.”
Looking to the future, what excites you most about where your company is headed?
What excites me the most about CreatorIQ is our market position in the space along with big household named brands opening up their advertising budgets to include influencer marketing and ambassador or affiliate programs. This opens up a wide array of opportunities for our product and services. As the world of influencer marketing matures, CreatorIQ has the right combination of resources and industry expertise to continue to grow with it.
What they do: Aspiration is a fintech company that offers socially-conscious and sustainable banking, investment and retirement products that help people improve their financial situations while making a positive impact on the world. Senior Product Manager Jae Lee said that in the first half of 2021, the company is gearing up to launch its first credit card option.
What was the deciding factor for you when you accepted your job at your current company?
People at Aspiration are mission-driven. We strive to take care of the world we live in and the customers we serve. I was referred to Aspiration by a close friend of mine, Wes. In our circle of friends, Wes would heap praises on the leadership’s openness and his colleagues’ willingness to roll up their sleeves and help one another. He was right.
It was evident from the interview process that the organization not only promotes a culture of transparency and collaboration but also offers unlimited growth opportunities — where good ideas outclass bureaucracy. At Aspiration, I found a mission I support, a job I love and people I enjoy working with. We are not perfect, but we are eager to become more perfect with every person we welcome through the door.
Looking to the future, what excites you most about where your company is headed?
Aspiration is a leading green financial services company and a bona fide alternative to the traditional banks. Being a leader means we have endless opportunities to pursue and innovative products to usher into the world. Currently, we offer green debit cards (Aspiration and Aspiration Plus cards), an investment vehicle (the Redwood Fund) and a retirement offering (the Redwood IRA). In the first half of 2021, we are looking to expand our reach and launch our very own credit card that will help people eliminate their carbon footprint.
The organization offers unlimited growth opportunities.”
The fintech industry is rapidly changing. There is a notable shift happening in how people are transacting — with a greater appetite for digital banking. We are living in a critical time with the chance to reinvigorate the world we live in.
What they do: SimplePractice is a management software platform for health and wellness professionals to manage their businesses. Joshua Keegan Gross, a front-end engineer, said that he’s excited to continue working on the company’s new website and creating new marketing services for clients.
I knew SimplePractice would be a great place for me to grow my skill set.”
What was the deciding factor for you when you accepted your job at your current company?
For me, the deciding factor when I accepted my position was the impressive engineering team — from the modern technology stack and development tools to the amazing people, I knew I’d be able to grow my skill set and learn so much working with SimplePractice.
Looking to the future, what excites you most about where your company is headed?
I’m really excited about the move we’re making to offer our customers new marketing services. I was fortunate to be able to work on the first iteration of the new professional website and I can see that we’re just getting started!
