Last Updated: October 13, 2026
Ottawa's tech sector is one of the most concentrated in North America, with Kanata North, Canada's largest technology park, anchoring work in telecommunications, semiconductors, photonics, cybersecurity and AI.
Ottawa tech jobs span a wide range, from global employers like Nokia, Ciena and BlackBerry QNX to startups in AI, cybersecurity and software. Invest Ottawa counts more than 1,800 tech companies and 88,000 tech workers in the city. This guide covers where to look, what skills are in demand, how to research pay, and how to break into Ottawa's tech ecosystem.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Invest Ottawa counts 1,800+ tech companies and 88,000+ tech workers in Ottawa. Kanata North is the hub, with employers like Nokia, Ciena, Ericsson, BlackBerry QNX and Kinaxis. AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors and defence tech are among the busiest areas. For pay, check Job Bank's wage reports rather than a single average.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 💼 Tech Workers | 88,000+ in Ottawa (Invest Ottawa) |
| 🏢 Tech Companies | 1,800+ companies (Invest Ottawa) |
| 📍 Main Hub | Kanata North Technology Park, 800+ companies |
| 💰 Pay Research | Job Bank wage reports for your job title |
| 🚀 Startup Support | Invest Ottawa, L-SPARK, Bayview Yards |
| 🔥 Hot Areas | AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, defence tech |
Ottawa Tech Industry Overview
Ottawa's tech sector has a rich history dating back to the telecommunications boom and continues evolving into new frontiers.
The Tech Landscape
By the numbers:
- 1,800+ technology companies, according to Invest Ottawa
- 88,000+ tech workers, according to Invest Ottawa
- 12% tech talent concentration, which Invest Ottawa reports as the highest among North American cities
- 13.2% growth in the tech talent workforce between 2021 and 2024, also from Invest Ottawa
Key strength areas:
- Telecommunications and 5G
- Cybersecurity and defence
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Software and SaaS
- Clean technology
- Photonics, semiconductors and optical networking
Hiring Since the 2022-2023 Layoffs
Ottawa did not escape the wave of tech layoffs that began in 2022, and several large employers trimmed staff. Ross Video cut nine per cent of its global workforce in 2023, and Kinaxis announced a six per cent headcount reduction in 2024. Invest Ottawa's 2026 market overview describes hybrid work as the standard model, with contract and project-based roles growing, and says hiring is accelerating in aerospace and defence, cleantech, fintech, cybersecurity and applied AI. Treat any single employer's hiring as something to confirm on its careers page.
Ottawa vs Other Tech Hubs
Ottawa is a smaller market than Toronto or Vancouver, so expect fewer openings overall. Many people accept that trade for a lower cost of living than Toronto. Invest Ottawa points to Ottawa's 12% tech talent concentration and its 51.7% growth in tech employment between 2018 and 2023 (CBRE's Scoring Tech Talent 2024) as the case for the city. Pay comparisons between cities change by role, so compare current listings and Job Bank wage reports for the roles you want.
Kanata North Technology Park
Kanata North is Ottawa's main tech hub, in the city's west end.
About Kanata North
The stats (Kanata North Business Association, 2026 economic impact report):
- 800+ companies in the tech park
- 30,978 direct jobs and 63,000+ jobs supported across Canada
- $17.9 billion in gross economic output across Canada
- $2.8 billion in international exports
- Designated a Special Economic District by the City of Ottawa in 2021
Location:
- Western Ottawa, on the edge of the city
- Highway 417 access
- OC Transpo bus service
- A shuttle pilot connecting key sites in the park, according to the KNBA
Major Employers in Kanata North
| Company | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Nokia | 5G, telecommunications, cybersecurity |
| Ciena | Optical networking |
| Ericsson | Wireless networks R&D |
| Mitel | Business communications (restructured through Chapter 11 in 2025) |
| BlackBerry QNX | Automotive software, security |
| Ross Video | Broadcast technology |
| Kinaxis | Supply chain software |
Headcounts at these employers change often, so check each company's careers page and the KNBA's Discover Technata job platform for current openings.
Why Companies Choose Kanata
Talent pipeline:
- Carleton University, the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College are all in the city, and Invest Ottawa points graduates to their co-op programs and campus job fairs
Ecosystem benefits:
- Employers are clustered in one park, which makes job changes and networking easier
- The KNBA runs events such as Tech on Tap and the Discover Technata job platform
Downtown Ottawa Tech Hub
While Kanata North dominates, downtown Ottawa has its own thriving tech scene.
Shopify Influence
The Shopify effect:
- Founded in Ottawa in 2006
- Runs a "Digital by Design" model
Current status:
- Employees work from wherever they do their best work
- Offices, which Shopify calls Ports, in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, New York and Bellevue that staff can drop into
- Around 8,000 employees worldwide, according to Invest Ottawa's September 2026 hiring roundup
- Still lists Ottawa-based roles, so check Shopify's careers page
Downtown Tech Companies
Notable employers:
- Assent - supply chain sustainability and product compliance software
- Fullscript - health tech, listed by Invest Ottawa among Ottawa's scale-ups
- Martello Technologies - Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 performance monitoring, which announced an operational restructuring in November 2025
- Klipfolio - business dashboards and metrics software, headquartered in Ottawa
- Rewind - SaaS backup, which took on a new majority investor, H.I.G. Growth Partners, in July 2026
- Combyne - agriculture tech, which grew out of the FarmLead marketplace
Co-working and Innovation Spaces
For startups and remote workers:
- Bayview Yards - Invest Ottawa's innovation hub at 7 Bayview Station Road, with a café and meeting spaces
- Hub350 - the Kanata North tech park's shared workspace at 350 Legget Drive, with hot desks, meeting rooms and phone booths
- L-SPARK - a SaaS accelerator backed by Wesley Clover, with programs for startups and corporate partners
Top Tech Companies Hiring in Ottawa
These employers show up often in Invest Ottawa's monthly hiring roundups and in the Kanata North and downtown clusters above.
Large Employers
Nokia (Kanata North)
- 5G and network infrastructure
- Cybersecurity and information and communications technology R&D
- A Nokia Canada executive chairs the Kanata North Business Association's board
BlackBerry QNX (Ottawa)
- QNX software for secure embedded systems
- Automotive software and security products
- BlackBerry is headquartered in Waterloo and has a significant presence in Ottawa
- Its September 2026 Ottawa openings included QNX software developer and cybersecurity manager roles
Ciena (Kanata North)
- Optical networking
- Co-op and internship placements for recent graduates, according to Invest Ottawa
Kinaxis (Kanata North)
- Supply chain planning software
- Founded and headquartered in Ottawa
- Named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for supply chain planning solutions (process and discrete industries)
Mid-Size Growth Companies
Assent
- Supply chain sustainability and compliance software
- Headquartered in Ottawa
- Named by Invest Ottawa among its startups and scale-ups
Fullscript
- Health tech platform for integrative care providers
- Says it serves 125,000 providers
- Named by Invest Ottawa among its startups and scale-ups
Solace
- Event streaming and real-time data software
- Headquartered in Ottawa
- Lists 480+ employees and 17+ offices on its company page
Government Tech
Shared Services Canada
- Delivers IT infrastructure and digital services for federal departments
- Postings are on the federal Job Bank and GCjobs, and state any clearance level required
Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
- Canada's signals intelligence and cybersecurity agency, based in Ottawa
- Postings state the clearance level required
Startups to Watch
These Ottawa startups and scale-ups are worth a look when you search for tech jobs.
Startups and Scale-ups to Watch
Noibu
- E-commerce error and performance monitoring
- Describes itself as made in Ottawa
Rewind
- SaaS data backup for platforms such as Shopify, QuickBooks, Jira and GitHub
- Founded in 2015, with nearly 100 employees
- Boston-based H.I.G. Growth Partners took a majority stake in July 2026, according to the Ottawa Business Journal
Solink
- AI-driven video surveillance platform
- Invest Ottawa lists it among Ottawa's startups and scale-ups, hiring across engineering, customer success and operations
Dominion Dynamics
- Defence technology company founded in Ottawa in 2025, building the AuraNet software system and Scout drone platform
- Building a 30,000-square-foot drone manufacturing facility in Kanata, according to Invest Ottawa
Emerging Sectors
Clean tech and mobility:
- Invest Ottawa's Area X.O supports R&D in connected and autonomous vehicles, cleantech and IoT
Applied AI and health tech:
- Invest Ottawa lists applied AI among the areas where hiring is accelerating
- Fullscript, an Ottawa-based health and wellness platform, serves 125,000 healthcare providers
Startup Resources
Incubators and accelerators:
- Invest Ottawa - Main startup support, with advisory services, funding connections and scale-up support
- L-SPARK - SaaS accelerator
- Bayview Yards - Innovation hub
- Area X.O - R&D campus for connected and autonomous vehicles, cleantech and IoT testing
In-Demand Tech Skills
Invest Ottawa's Ottawa tech job market overview lists the skills below as ones Ottawa employers look for.
Most Demanded Skills
Programming languages:
- Python, for AI, machine learning, scripting and data science
- JavaScript and Go, for frontend and backend development
- C and C++, for embedded and systems work (Invest Ottawa has written about a C++ talent gap)
Platforms and tools:
- AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
- Docker and Kubernetes
- TensorFlow and PyTorch for machine learning
Certifications Invest Ottawa lists:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- CompTIA Security+
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
Hot Specializations
Artificial Intelligence:
- Machine learning engineers
- NLP specialists
- Computer vision
Cybersecurity:
- Security engineers
- Penetration testers
- Security architects
- Compliance specialists
Cloud and DevOps:
- Cloud architects
- Site reliability engineers
- Platform engineers
- DevSecOps
Emerging Skills
Growing demand for:
- Generative AI, which Invest Ottawa ties to uses such as fraud detection and payment processing
- Regtech, digital services, and trust and safety operations, where public policy meets technical work
- Defence technology, where Invest Ottawa reports accelerated hiring tied to federal modernization programs
Tech Salaries in Ottawa
Published salary ranges for Ottawa tech roles vary widely between sources, and many come from recruiters or job boards rather than a survey. This guide does not print a single range for each job title. Instead, use the sources below to check the role you are applying for.
Where to Check Pay
- Job Bank wage reports: the federal government's wage search shows low, median and high hourly wages for a job title in the Ottawa region, based on Statistics Canada data.
- Job postings: read the pay range or salary note on the posting itself, and ask the recruiter early if it is missing.
- Employer benefits pages: Invest Ottawa's hiring roundups link to each employer's benefits summary, such as health coverage, retirement savings, flexible work and development budgets.
Salary Factors
What affects pay:
- Years of experience
- Specific technologies
- Security clearance (government and defence work)
- Company size and funding
- Remote vs on-site
Benefits beyond salary:
- Stock options or equity (startups)
- Bonuses, which vary by employer
- Health and dental benefits
- Professional development budgets
- Remote work flexibility
Remote Work Opportunities
Remote and hybrid work are now part of how Ottawa tech companies hire. Invest Ottawa's work-in-Ottawa pages cite a WORKATION Index that ranks Ottawa first among Canadian cities as a remote work destination.
Remote-First Companies
Some companies hire people in Canada, including Ottawa, to work remotely. Confirm on each job posting that your province is eligible:
- Shopify - "Digital by Design": employees work from wherever they do their best work, with optional Port offices including one in Ottawa
- GitLab - all-remote since it started, with no offices
- Automattic - distributed, with employees in 83 countries and a work-from-anywhere policy
Hybrid Models
Invest Ottawa describes hybrid-first employment as the standard model among Ottawa tech employers:
- In-office days vary by company and team
- Security or strategy needs can set how often people come in
- Ask about the expected schedule in your first interview
Remote Work Tips
Finding remote roles:
- Filter for "Remote" on job boards
- Check company career pages
- Network in remote communities
- Consider US companies, and check whether they can legally employ you in Canada
Considerations:
- Tax and employment-status rules when your employer is outside Canada
- Time zone compatibility
- Home office setup
- Work-life boundaries
Tech Networking & Events
Building connections is crucial in Ottawa's tight-knit tech community.
Regular Meetups
Monthly and recurring:
- TechTuesday - a free community networking event on the first Tuesday of every month, hosted by Wesley Clover International. Registration is required and space is limited, so cancel your ticket if you cannot go.
- Bayview Meetups - events at Bayview Yards, listed on the Bayview Yards site.
- Tech on Tap - a Kanata North Business Association social, powered by uOttawa Kanata North.
- AccelerateOTT - listed by Invest Ottawa among Ottawa's tech networking and mentorship events, at accelerateott.ca.
Major Events
Industry events:
- Canada's Semiconductor Symposium - a two-day semiconductor and sovereignty event hosted by the KNBA in Kanata North in October 2026.
- Innovation Morning - KNBA morning talks on research and industry topics, such as "Beyond the Chip" in October 2026.
- Discover Technata - the KNBA's career fair and jobs platform for Kanata North employers.
Local media and events:
- Techopia - the Ottawa Business Journal's tech coverage, newsletter and Techopia Live events at obj.ca/techopia.
Check each organizer's calendar for dates, since schedules and locations change.
Online Communities
Join these:
- The r/ottawa subreddit, for local questions and discussion
- LinkedIn groups and company pages for Ottawa tech employers
How to Get Hired
Strategies for landing your Ottawa tech job.
Job Search Strategies
Where to find jobs:
- Indeed Canada
- Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) - startups
- Company career pages
- Invest Ottawa's Work in Ottawa jobs page and talent pool
- Discover Technata, the KNBA's jobs platform for Kanata North employers
Networking approach:
- Attend meetups regularly
- Connect with recruiters
- Coffee chats with employees
- Contribute to open source
- Build online presence
Resume Tips
For Ottawa employers:
- Highlight relevant tech stack
- Show impact with numbers
- Include side projects
- List certifications
- Note security clearance (if applicable)
Technical portfolios:
- GitHub profile polished
- Personal website
- Live project demos
- Technical blog posts
Interview Preparation
What to expect:
- Phone screening
- Technical assessment
- Coding interview
- System design (senior)
- Culture fit discussion
Prepare for:
- Data structures and algorithms
- System design questions
- Technology-specific questions
- Behavioral questions
- Questions for interviewer
Resources for Job Seekers
Tools and programs to support your search.
Training Programs
Bootcamps:
- Juno College, a Toronto-based coding bootcamp that offers its web development program live online
Upskilling:
- Microcredential programs in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence at uOttawa, La Cité and Algonquin College, listed by Invest Ottawa
- The Ontario Micro-credentials Portal, which also lists Carleton University and other Ontario institutions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access with an Ottawa Public Library card, according to Invest Ottawa
- Cloud and security certifications such as the AWS, Azure and CompTIA ones listed above
Government Programs
Invest Ottawa:
- A talent pool and newsletter for tech job seekers
- In-person and virtual talent events that connect job seekers with employers
- Support for globally trained talent, including links to federal immigration programs
Employment Ontario:
- Free one-on-one help with resumes, interview training and job search
- Better Jobs Ontario, which helps pay for living expenses and tuition for job training or postsecondary education
- Details on the Employment Ontario page
Recruitment Agencies
Invest Ottawa notes that contract and project-based roles are growing in Ottawa tech, and some of those roles are filled through staffing firms. Ask people at the employers you want which agencies they use, and check that any agency you work with is posting real, current roles.
FAQ
Q: What are the biggest tech companies in Ottawa?
Large tech employers in Kanata North include Nokia, Ciena, Ericsson, BlackBerry QNX, Kinaxis and Mitel, which emerged from Chapter 11 restructuring in 2025. Shopify, Assent and Fullscript are well-known Ottawa-based software employers. Headcounts change often, so check each company's careers page for current openings.
Q: What is the average tech salary in Ottawa?
There is no single reliable average, because pay depends on role, experience, employer and security clearance. Use the federal Job Bank wage search for the Ottawa region, read the range on each job posting, and compare offers from several employers before you decide.
Q: Is Kanata North a good place to work?
Kanata North has more than 800 companies and about 31,000 direct jobs, according to the Kanata North Business Association's 2026 economic impact report. That concentration helps with networking and job changes. It sits on the western edge of Ottawa, so check your commute before accepting an offer.
Q: What tech skills are most in demand in Ottawa?
Invest Ottawa lists Python, JavaScript, Go, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, Kubernetes, TensorFlow and PyTorch among the skills employers look for. Cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, DevOps and data roles are also in demand. Security clearance matters for many federal and defence-related postings.
Q: How do I get a tech job in Ottawa without experience?
Build portfolio projects, contribute to open source, and go to meetups such as TechTuesday. Then apply for co-op, internship and junior roles. Invest Ottawa points new graduates to co-op programs at employers such as SurveyMonkey and Ciena, and to campus job fairs at uOttawa, Carleton and Algonquin College.
Q: Are there remote tech jobs in Ottawa?
Yes. Invest Ottawa describes hybrid-first work as standard among Ottawa tech employers, and some companies hire remotely across Canada. Shopify runs a "Digital by Design" model with optional Ottawa office space, while GitLab and Automattic are fully remote. Check each posting for Canadian eligibility before you apply.
Q: What's the tech startup scene like in Ottawa?
Ottawa's startup support includes Invest Ottawa, L-SPARK and Bayview Yards. Invest Ottawa names software, communications technology, smart mobility, aerospace and defence, and cybersecurity as its top tech sectors. Startups and scale-ups such as Assent, Solink, Fullscript and Rewind are among the names it highlights.
Q: Do I need security clearance for Ottawa tech jobs?
Many federal and defence-related roles require it, while most private-sector software jobs do not. Postings state the level they need. For example, Nova Networks listed a "Secret Cleared Systems Engineer" opening in Invest Ottawa's September 2026 hiring roundup.
Q: How does Ottawa tech compare to Toronto?
Ottawa is a smaller market with fewer openings than Toronto. Invest Ottawa reports a 12% tech talent concentration, which it calls the highest among North American cities, and strengths in communications technology, cybersecurity and aerospace and defence. Compare current postings and Job Bank wage reports rather than relying on a fixed pay gap.
Q: What are the best Ottawa tech meetups and events?
TechTuesday, held on the first Tuesday of each month, is a free community networking event. Bayview Yards runs Bayview Meetups, and the Kanata North Business Association hosts Tech on Tap, Innovation Morning talks and an annual career platform, Discover Technata. The Ottawa Business Journal's Techopia covers local tech news and events.
Q: Is a computer science degree required for Ottawa tech jobs?
It depends on the employer. Many postings ask for a degree or equivalent experience, and some roles, such as those with security clearance requirements, are stricter. Read each posting, and lean on a portfolio of real projects if you are self-taught or changing careers.
Q: What's the work culture like in Ottawa tech companies?
It varies by company, so ask about it in interviews. Invest Ottawa describes hybrid-first work as standard among Ottawa tech employers. Ask about office days, on-call expectations and how decisions get made before you accept an offer.
Final Summary
Ottawa's tech sector is anchored by Kanata North, which the Kanata North Business Association counts at more than 800 companies and about 31,000 direct jobs. Downtown, Shopify and a mix of startups and scale-ups add a second centre of activity. It is a smaller market than Toronto, so a focused search pays off.
Key takeaways:
- Kanata North is the main hub for large employers, especially in telecom, semiconductors and defence
- Pay varies by role and employer, so use the Job Bank wage search and the range on each posting
- Hybrid work is common, and some employers hire remotely across Canada
- Networking through TechTuesday, Tech on Tap and similar events helps in a city this size
Whether you are an experienced developer or changing careers, check current postings, tailor your resume to each role, and plan your commute before you accept an offer.
Sources: Invest Ottawa, Kanata North Business Association, Job Bank
