Michigan is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country. With a startup scene in Detroit that’s globally recognized, an influx of high tech companies like LG Energy Solution moving to Michigan, and long-established industries rife with innovation, Michigan is home to many top tech jobs.
In fact, Michigan ranks No. 6 in top states for new tech business growth. Interested in joining one of the fastest-growing tech ecosystems in the nation? Discover Michigan’s tech community and its most in-demand tech jobs.
Michigan's Growing Tech Clusters
Advanced Manufacturing
Michigan’s rich manufacturing heritage and technical expertise are propelling the creation of the next generation of high-tech products. West Michigan and Metro Detroit, in particular, are hubs for advanced manufacturing jobs that support the auto industry, appliance manufacturing, medical technology, and more.
EV & Mobility
As the birthplace of the automotive industry, Michigan has evolved into the leading tech hub for mobility innovations. Industry-changing advancements, like the connected vehicle corridor on I-94, are being developed in Michigan. The corridor aims to be the world’s most sophisticated roadway, using innovations in physical, digital, coordination, and operational infrastructure to help increase the safety, efficiency, resilience, and operations of roadways, and improve the mobility experience.
The state’s growing number of electric vehicle (EV) and mobility companies, especially in Metro Detroit, are helping advance aerial, marine, public transportation, delivery, and rec-tech innovation. For example, in northern Michigan state agencies partnered to establish the Fresh Coast Corridor, the first freshwater electric boat charging network in the country that targeted a busy stretch of Great Lakes coastline from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.
Our Next Energy and LG Energy Solution are two more examples of the EV and battery companies investing in the region. According to the Center for Automotive Research, one-third of battery production and development is happening in Michigan, and it’s predicted that Michigan will dominate the EV battery market by 2030.
Clean Energy
Michigan’s clean energy efforts go beyond the rapidly growing EV industry. In 2023, Michigan passed historic legislation to make the state a national leader in climate action and help secure a spot as a top five state in clean energy. This is spurring the founding of and investment in clean energy and climate tech companies in Michigan, such as SkySpecs, GreenLancer, and Nel Hydrogen. As the number of these companies grow, so do the state’s clean energy sector jobs — the clean vehicle industry saw a 14.4% increase in tech jobs in 2022.
Fastest-Growing Tech Jobs Now Hiring in Michigan
Data Analyst / Data Scientist
Data scientists use data to extract knowledge and insights to drive decision making — the industry is one of the fastest-growing tech fields in the country and in Michigan. Across the United States, data scientist jobs are expected to grow by 35% between 2022 to 2032 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Michigan, the number of data scientist job openings increased 4.2% in 2023 alone. Because of the broad applicability of data sciences, these jobs are growing across industries, including semiconductor, advanced manufacturing and mobility. As more industries work to harness the power of data, the demand for data scientists will continue to expand.
Software Development/Engineering
Software engineers create and refine code that makes the software in our everyday lives function. Once only associated with major online companies, software engineers are now in high demand across multiple industries, such as startups, banks, manufacturers, and automakers. Over the last year, the number of software jobs in Michigan increased 3.1%.
Cybersecurity and Systems Engineers
A cybersecurity engineer designs and implements secure network solutions to defend against hackers and other cyberattacks. Southeast Michigan, especially Ann Arbor, is a growing hub for cybersecurity jobs. The success of cybersecurity unicorn Duo Security has had a ripple effect on the region, sparking new startups and creating an excellent pool of cybersecurity talent. Since 2010, Michigan’s cybersecurity job openings have increased 78%, almost 10% higher than the national average.
Cloud/Network Engineers
Cloud or network engineers design, implement, and manage computer and information networks. These jobs are in high demand as companies across industries and types become more and more connected to the cloud. In the next 10 years, job openings for this role are expected to increase 47%.
Project/Product Manager
A critical role in any startup or tech company is a project or product manager. This role oversees and guides the development of a company’s products or services from planning to launch. Companies across all industries are looking for product managers at high rates — job openings for this role have increased in Michigan over the last year by 2.7%.
Electrical Engineer
Because of Michigan’s rich history with manufacturing — and now advanced manufacturing and industry 4.0 — as well as the rise of the semiconductor industry and vehicle electrification, electrical engineering is one of the fastest-growing tech jobs in Michigan. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment. They are critical to Michigan’s growing semiconductor industry, machine learning advancements, and automotive development.
Battery Engineer
Battery engineers — tech workers who design batteries of all types — are increasingly in demand. Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in the clean energy sector in 2022. Now, the industry employs nearly 125,000 Michiganders. As traditional automotive companies work on electrifying their vehicles and new EV companies move into the state, tech workers in the battery sector are important to the industry’s success. The state has secured nearly $1.3 billion in federal funding to support clean energy initiatives, creating thousands of new jobs in the EV sector.
Environmental Engineer
Michigan companies are investing heavily in clean energy initiatives that extend beyond battery engineering. The state also needs environmental engineers to support a growing number of climate tech startups as well as aggressive climate goals for the state. Environmental engineers design systems, manage resources, sample water or air for contaminants, and create solutions to solve environmental problems.