IAF Fund Jobs

The Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation announced funding [via David Crow] in eight companies so I’ll do the usual and check to see which of these companies are local and looking to hire:

•  C2CLink does non-linear optical chips out of Hamilton, and, although they seem to have trouble spelling ‘Contact Us’, they encourage resume submission for people with backgrounds in lasers, optical circuits and circuit design.
• Echologics does leak detection devices out at 401/409/Kipling.  They don’t seem to have a career section, but if you think this is your kind of company, you could try contacting them.
• IPeak Networks is looking for a Senior Developer (C/C++ Linux/Windows) in Kanata.
• Kneebone does marketing performance measurement at King and John, and has a ‘Coming Soon’ careers page.
• Nulogy does supply chain management at Queen and Bathurst for packaging companies in Toronto, and is looking for sales and professional services hires, although they don’t supply much information on what skills they consider important.
• Regen Energy does wireless controllers to manage peak electrical demand at 401/409/Kipling, and encourages resume submission without talking about specific opportunities.
• Skymeter does vehicle use information in MaRS (Collage/Unversity), and isn’t looking for anything specific, although they do encourage resume submission (Java, C, C#, GIS, GPS, etc.
• Sysomos does social media monitoring in Java/Mysql/Lucene with a work-from-home setup, and is looking for web and Java developers.

It’s worth noting that although these companies probably knew about the funding for longer than we have, they may not have finalized their hiring plans, so if you’re looking at one of these companies and you’re excited by what they’re doing but they don’t have a job that you’re interested in, it might be worth following up with them directly.

Red Herring Canada 2008: T-Z

Continuing to look at the nominees for Red Herring’s 2008 Canadian version of the 50 “most innovative and promising companies”, having already looked at A-F, G-N and O-S.  These are divided based on my findings of who’s local and who has interesting / relevant jobs posted on their website. If I list a company you own or are affiliated with, and you’d like to correct something I’ve said or just say Hi, feel free.  With a list this long, there’s only so much mental space I’m devoting to each of you, so it’s entirely possible that I’ll miss something or misrepresent something.Local, relevant jobs:

• SimBioSys does computational chemistry up northeast of the airport (427/409).   The location doesn’t appeal to me at all, but if you’re up there already, then you might be interested to see that they’re looking for a Scientific Application Developer (C++, Java, 3D, web, etc.)
• Uptime does a system monitoring solution out at Queen and Bathurst, and they’re looking for a Client Support Engineer, Sr. Systems Administrator, QA Team Lead and Software Developer (Java/PHP).  We’ve talked about Uptime before.
• Vizible does a content delivery/player solution thingy that I don’t feel comfortable trying to explain at King and Spadina.  They’re looking for an XPCOM developer, Installshield developer and 3D Graphics developer.  The XPCOM development position is pretty rare if that’s what you’re into.

Local, no obviously relevant jobs:

• Sigma Systems does “IP Service Fulfillment” near Wellington and University.  They’re not currently looking for anything relevant, although I’ve certainly seen their postings before.
• Talkster does an advertising-supported free-long-distance service up at Don Mills and Lawrence.  No obvious postings.
• Viigo does mobile applications, including a well-reputed newsreader, at Front and Jarvis.  They’re looking for a Sr. Sales Executive, but nothing very technical right now.
• Vivonet does some kind of ERP / business intelligence thing for retail/hospitalitiy out of Vancouver.  They’re looking for the following: Jr. SysAdmin, DBA, .NET and Delphi developers and Support Analyst.

Not local or just not sure:

• Sempa Power does hybrid/green heating out of North Vancouver.  The only engineers they’re looking for are in the vein of mechanical engineers, not software “engineers”, or even electrical engineers with a comp-sci background.
• Sidense does Logic Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) out of Ottawa.  They’re mostly looking for people with pretty low-level hardware skills, but they are looking for a new grad in software (Java, C++, Perl, Shell scripting) as well as a CAD engineer and an account executive.
• SiteMasher does a Software as a Service mashup-development platform out of Vancouver.  No obvious postings.
• SiXtron does coatings for solar out of Quebec.  They’re looking for a field engineer, accountant and chemist.
• Standout Jobs does a SaaS recruiting platform for businesses, it’s always seemed like a pretty good solution.  They do Ruby on Rails work out of Montreal, and they’re not currently looking for anything specific, but they still encourage you to drop them a line if you’re interested.
• StatusFirm “reinvents communication on the internet” through some kind of “communication network” platform.  Basically, their argument seems to revolve around having a specialized solution for building particular kinds of websites well/fast.  They’re out of Edmonton, and looking for PHP and Web developers.
• Sutus does a single appliance to offer phone/internet/network for small business out of BC.  They don’t have any postings at the moment.
• Telepin does a mobile financial platform out of Ottawa.  No obvious postings.
• Tungle does meeting scheduling out of Montreal.  They’re looking for QA and Java Development.
• Udutu does online course authoring out of Victoria.  They’re looking for a web (html, flash, photoshop) developer and contractors.
• Versature does Hosted PBX out of Ottawa.  No obvious postings.
• VoIPshield does VoIP security in Ottawa, and is looking for a SysAdmin, Webmaster and some sales positions.
• WideSail does semiconductor intellectual property out of Montreal.  No obvious postings.
• WurldTech does industrial security in Vancouver and is looking for a Linux Developer, Network Protocol Developer, Web Application Developer and white-hats to test their skills on their “hack this” challenge.

That’s it!  Finito.

Red Herring Canada 2008: O-S

Continuing to look at the nominees for Red Herring’s 2008 Canadian version of the 50 “most innovative and promising companies”, having already looked at A-F, G-N.  These are divided based on my findings of who’s local and who has interesting / relevant jobs posted on their website.

If I list a company you own or are affiliated with, and you’d like to correct something I’ve said or just say Hi, feel free.  With a list this long, there’s only so much mental space I’m devoting to each of you, so it’s entirely possible that I’ll miss something or misrepresent something.

Local, relevant jobs:

 

• Refresh Partners does marketing and analytics for social networks as well as social network applications.  It looks to me like Facebook is the current focus.  They’re looking for PHP and PHP/Java devs to work on social network properties like Dogbook.  Since they’re the only local company with obviously relevant jobs in this bunch, they deserve your full attention.

 

Local, no obviously relevant jobs:

• OmniDate does virtual dating out of Toronto, but has no obvious postings.
• PlanetEye does travel planning with a photography bent out of Toronto with no obviously relevant postings (although they’d like people to write about certain destinations and/or supply geotagged photography).

Not very local, but not very far:

• OmniGlobe Networks “provides affordable, satellite and WiMAX broadband Internet, VoIP, tele-education, telemedicine and cellular services to world regions where terrestrial telecommunications are unavailable, unreliable, or simply too expensive” out of Montreal, but they’re looking for network technicians in stratford, java developers and systems engineers in montreal and a broadband business development manager.
• Q5X do wireless microphones in London, ON. amd are looking for an RF Engineer / Electronics Technologist.
• RapidMind does some kind of multi-core development platform in Waterloo.  They’re looking for the following: System Architect, Systems Engineer, Application Developer, Tech Writer, Sales / BizDev, Product Management, Developer Support Specialist.  Looks like their development is in C++.

Not local or just not sure:

• Origin BioMed does natural health products / pharmaceuticals in Halifax, NS, with no obvious job postings. 
• Overlay.TV does online video out of Ottawa, and is looking for a Senior Flash Developer.
• Perceptronix does cancer diagnosis in Vancouver, with no relevant job postings (they’d like an Accountant, though).
• Praized does local search for social media out of Montreal, and is looking for a Front-End Web Developer.
• Project Opus seems to do music-related social networks out of Vancouver with no obvious postings.
• Protecode does software governance out of Ottawa and is looking for: Sr. DB Designer, 3x Sr. Software Tech Support Rep, 2x Sr. Java Developer.
• Radian6 builds software to monitor social media – interesting idea, and probably one that either is or will be in demand.  Unfortunately, they do it in Fredricton, New Brunswick, so unless you’re looking to move to The Maritimes / Acadie, they might be a little out of reach.  Their only current posting is a sales position anyway.
• Ryma does product management software out of Montreal.  They’re looking mostly for sales and marketing types, but they’re also looking for some people to work in their professional services arm, including some .NET work.

We’ve only got S-W left, and then we’re finally done!

PICK 20: Jobs

Well, after yesterday’s IDC post, Corey pointed out the PICK 20, “the first and only national roundup of Canada’s Web 2.0 pioneers and practitioners.” I don’t imagine it has any connection to his employer being number two in the list. That said, the reference was a polite nudge and in the same theme, it’s briefly interesting to check out who’s on the list, who’s local, and whether or not they’re hiring:

• The Locals
  • FreshBooks
    • Good product, seems like an interesting company, although not everyone will want to consider working at Glencairn/Dufferin.
    • Hiring, listed on Toronto Tech Jobs.
  • Octopz
    • Listed in yesterday’s IDC, so clearly getting attention.
    • Hiring: Developers (Flex/Flash/ColdFusion/AIR)
  • Kaboose
    • Hiring developers and team leads.
  • blogTO
    • Not obviously hiring.
  • b5media
    • Hiring Online Sales Executive and Online Advertising Manager.
  • opterus
    • Not obviously hiring.
• The Not-So-Locals
  • Clubpenguin (Kelowna)
  • ConceptShare (Sudbury)
  • Cambrian House (Calgary)
  • Dabble (Vancouver)
  • Open Text (Waterloo) is hiring, including Richmond Hill.
  • Standout Jobs (Montreal), nice product.
  • NowPublic (Vancouver)
  • jiibe (Vancouver) looks nice.
  • SomethingSimpler (Vancouver)
  • Mob4Hire (Calgary)
  • Movieset (Vancouver)
  • SmartHippo (Montreal) is hiring a Ruby on Rails developer.
  • ThoughtFarmer (Vancouver)
  • Protagonize (Vancouver)

Slower Posting Rate

I’ve recently managed to find myself with my first child, born March 1st.  That’ll have an impact on the posting rate for the next few weeks anyway — but I hope to see the rate pick up as we get a little more comfortable with the routine.  Do feel free to send on items of interest in the meantime.

Job Criteria

Lately, I’ve been wondering if I can identify some of the factors that interest me about a particular posting/position, and wondering whether these can be scored, even if on a completely subjective basis.  So first of all, what makes a posting or a position interesting?

Interesting Company
The company is interesting, they’re doing interesting things or doing it an interesting way.

Interesting Work
This can be in one of three areas: the domain of the work is interesting (sustainable development, alternative energy, consumer web-2.0 development) or the technology of the work is interesting (a good modern Java stack like Spring/Hibernate/GWT; Interesting dynamic languages or newer development choices like Ruby on Rails, Grails, Waves, Lift/Scala, etc.) or finally the role is rare or senior enough to be interesting in its own right (CTO, Director/VP Dev, Release Manager, Scrum Master).

Interesting Compensation
Well-paid (high salary, mostly, although bonus and equity count somewhat), good perks (maternity/paternity leave, benefits, RRSP matching, daycare, etc.).  Many postings don’t go into detail on this subject.  Usually the ones that do, do so because they know they’re above average, which leaves one to conclude that those who don’t specify believe they may not be above average.

Morbid Curiosity
This is usually when something catches my eye but not necessarily in a positive way.  Postings that hope the candidate is experienced with multi-tenant SaaS and Photoshop, or distributed development with model-driven EJBs, or something else that sets off red flags.

I’m often amazed by how many postings absolutely fail to be interesting on one of these counts.  A job posting should be a kind of marketing, not a checklist.  By all means, you need to establish some criteria for sending in resumes, but do also take the time to get your message across.

I’m going to try scoring jobs using these criteria for the next little while, see how it goes.  I’ll follow this posting with a trial posting.  If you’ve got a job you’d like to send this way, I’m happy to see it, and if I find it interesting, I might post it. This is for readers and recruiters alike. That said, posting criteria is, as implied, “Do I find the posting interesting.

Software Development: Sitting down!

• Apparently, at Dundee Wealth Management, software development is normally performed sitting for extended periods of time.  How odd.

Jobs: St. Joseph Media, Informiam, CBC

•  St. Joseph Media is looking for a technology director / lead architect.  If you’re into Python/Django, this could be an interesting option.  I have to admit, I’m a little suspicious of a company looking for deep experience in interative web applications when it looks like their properties aren’t very interactive, for the  most part.
• This posting at Yonge and Finch is for Informiam, recently acquired by Alcatel-Lucent, and employer of a friend.  The posting itself is nice, looking for interesting technologies and using positive-sounding words like ‘creative’ and ‘intelligent’ is nice.  The location, on the other hand, doesn’t do a lot for me personally.  ‘ESB’ scares me a little — I’ve looked into these, and for the most part they seem like more trouble than they’re worth, but the rest of the technology stack sounds positively sane.
• The CBC is adding two Senior Architect positions to the previously-listed Applications Manager.  Are they growing, or is there some kind of shake-up in CBC development?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Architecture Jobs

It was a good day for architecture jobs:

• Someone’s looking or an Applications Architect for payment processing, but isn’t picky on .NET vs. Java.   I’m still not fond of companies that have already decided on offshoring as a strategy.  In part, because I just haven’t seen this approach be very successful.  The farther apart all the members of a development effort have been, the more wrong I’ve seen it go.  This also worries me because those companies seem to value low-cost over high quality, and I’ve seen that approach go badly as well.  That said, the base salary is listed as $120k, which is decent.
• This Associate Java Architect position is one I’ve seen before, but with a little more detail.  I know people get a lot of useless resumes, but it seems a little silly to try and avoid that by putting in somewhat arbitrary requirements, like having to have worked exclusively on Java applications.  For instance, although worked almost exclusively on Java web applications and have extensive experience with Hibernate and Java web frameworks, would my four months on Ruby disqualify me?  Probably not, but the language of the appointment implies such.

Jobs: Sigma, Yellow Pages

Sigmas’s development manager job is still making the rounds, this time, PlanIT Search.

Yellow Pages is also looking for a technologist.  The tech list looks fun, but, ultimately, shows off that the posting was written by someone who doesn’t get the technology.  Otherwise, why work with databases like OS X, Windows Server and Linux?