Table of Contents
- Van Andel Institute
- Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
- Meijer Corporate Headquarters
- Steelcase
- Trinity Health / Mercy Health
- ADAC Automotive
- Lacks Enterprises
- Amway Grand Plaza & AHC Hospitality
- PNC Bank & Downtown Financial Employers
- Startups & Emerging Tech Employers
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Van Andel Institute
Perched on Grand Rapids’ famed Medical Mile, Van Andel Institute (VAI) is regularly cited by sources like Zippia and Instawork as one of the very best employers in the city. VAI is an independent biomedical research and science education organization focused on cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and other serious illnesses.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Mission-driven work: Employees contribute directly to cutting-edge research and discovery, which is a major draw for scientists, lab staff, and administrative professionals.
- State-of-the-art facilities: The campus includes advanced labs, collaborative spaces, and a striking modern design that encourages innovation.
- Strong benefits: Competitive healthcare, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities are core parts of the compensation package.
Ideal for: Researchers, lab technicians, data scientists, IT professionals, and those interested in nonprofit administration and scientific education.
2. Corewell Health (Formerly Spectrum Health)
Corewell Health, which includes the former Spectrum Health system, is one of the region’s largest employers. With flagship facilities like Butterworth Hospital and Blodgett Hospital in the metro area, Corewell offers thousands of roles across clinical and non-clinical fields.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Career mobility: Nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff can move between departments, specialties, and locations to grow their careers.
- Education support: Tuition assistance, residency programs, and continuing education are widely available, especially for RNs and advanced practice providers.
- Comprehensive benefits: Health, dental, retirement plans, and wellness programs are robust, reflecting the organization’s healthcare focus.
Ideal for: Nurses (including new grad RNs), physicians, therapists, IT staff, HR professionals, and anyone looking to work in a large integrated health system.
3. Meijer Corporate Headquarters
Founded in Michigan, Meijer is a regional supercenter chain with a major corporate campus in the Grand Rapids area (Walker, MI). Beyond its well-known retail stores, Meijer offers a wide variety of professional roles at its headquarters.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Stable, family-owned company: Meijer’s long history and family ownership contribute to a culture that values community and long-term growth.
- Diverse career paths: Opportunities span merchandising, supply chain, logistics, data analytics, marketing, finance, and IT.
- Employee discounts & perks: Competitive pay, store discounts, and strong benefits are often cited by employees as key advantages.
Ideal for: Corporate professionals, analysts, buyers, supply chain specialists, and tech workers seeking stability and scale.
4. Steelcase
Steelcase, headquartered in the Grand Rapids region, is a global leader in office furniture and workplace design. The company is known for its design-forward culture and emphasis on research into how people work.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Creative, design-centric environment: Designers, engineers, and marketers collaborate on products used in offices around the world.
- Global reach: Employees in West Michigan work closely with international teams, giving local staff a global perspective.
- Sustainability focus: Steelcase’s commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing appeals to environmentally conscious professionals.
Ideal for: Industrial designers, engineers, marketing professionals, sustainability specialists, and those interested in workplace strategy.
5. Trinity Health / Mercy Health
Trinity Health operates several facilities in the Grand Rapids area under the Mercy Health brand. Alongside Corewell Health, it provides another strong option for healthcare professionals.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Values-driven culture: As part of a national Catholic health system, Trinity emphasizes compassionate care and community service.
- Range of roles: From bedside nursing and primary care to administration and revenue cycle management, there are paths for many backgrounds.
- Regional network: Connections to other Trinity Health locations throughout Michigan and beyond can support relocation or career shifts.
Ideal for: Nurses, medical assistants, healthcare administrators, and support staff seeking a mission-oriented employer.
6. ADAC Automotive
ADAC Automotive, often highlighted on lists like Purpose Jobs and Zippia, is a Grand Rapids-based manufacturer specializing in automotive components such as exterior trim and door handles.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Advanced manufacturing: Employees work with modern production technologies, automation, and quality systems.
- Career development: Many employees progress from entry-level production roles into leadership, engineering, or technical positions.
- Competitive pay for skilled trades: Toolmakers, maintenance technicians, and process engineers can find strong compensation and steady work.
Ideal for: Engineers, skilled trades, production supervisors, and those interested in the automotive supply chain.
7. Lacks Enterprises
Lacks Enterprises is another major automotive supplier in the Grand Rapids region, known for plating, injection molding, and advanced coatings. It’s frequently mentioned as a top employer in local rankings.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Multiple plants and divisions: With several facilities, employees can move between plants and departments to grow their skills.
- Technical training: On-the-job training and apprenticeships help workers build careers in manufacturing and quality control.
- Community roots: As a long-established local company, Lacks has deep ties to West Michigan’s workforce.
Ideal for: Entry-level manufacturing workers, quality technicians, engineers, and industrial maintenance professionals.
8. Amway Grand Plaza & AHC Hospitality
AHC Hospitality manages several of downtown Grand Rapids’ marquee hotels, including the historic Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids, and Courtyard by Marriott Downtown. For those in hospitality, these properties are some of the most desirable places to work in the city.
Why it’s a great place to work:
- Iconic properties: Staff work in landmark hotels that host major conferences, weddings, and events year-round.
- Career ladders: Front desk associates, servers, and housekeepers can advance into management, sales, and operations roles.
- Downtown location: Employees enjoy working in the heart of the city, close to restaurants, the riverfront, and entertainment.
Ideal for: Hotel professionals, culinary staff, event coordinators, and students seeking flexible hospitality work.
9. PNC Bank & Downtown Financial Employers
Grand Rapids’ growing downtown includes a strong cluster of financial employers, with PNC Bank and other regional banks maintaining significant operations and branch networks.
Why they’re great places to work:
- Professional environment: Banking roles offer clear career paths, from teller and personal banker positions to commercial lending and wealth management.
- Work-life balance: Many corporate and branch roles feature predictable hours compared to hospitality or healthcare.
- Skill-building: Employees gain experience in customer service, sales, compliance, and financial analysis.
Ideal for: Recent graduates, finance and accounting majors, and professionals looking to transition into banking or financial services.
10. Startups & Emerging Tech Employers
Beyond large, established companies, Grand Rapids has a growing ecosystem of startups and tech-focused employers. Organizations highlighted by platforms like Purpose Jobs often include software firms, digital agencies, and health-tech startups clustered around downtown and the Medical Mile.
Why they’re great places to work:
- Fast-paced environment: Smaller teams mean broader responsibilities and the chance to wear many hats.
- Impact and visibility: Individual contributions are highly visible, and employees can shape products and culture.
- Modern work practices: Flexible schedules, hybrid or remote work options, and contemporary tech stacks are common.
Ideal for: Software engineers, UX/UI designers, digital marketers, product managers, and entrepreneurial-minded professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The largest employment sectors in Grand Rapids include healthcare (Corewell Health, Trinity Health), advanced manufacturing (ADAC Automotive, Lacks Enterprises, Steelcase), retail and distribution (Meijer), education, and professional services. Tech and life sciences are also growing rapidly along the Medical Mile and in the downtown startup scene.
Yes. Many of the employers listed actively hire recent grads. Corewell Health and Trinity Health offer nurse residency programs; Meijer, Steelcase, and Van Andel Institute recruit for entry-level corporate and research roles; and banks like PNC frequently hire early-career professionals. Startups can also be excellent for grads who want rapid learning and responsibility.
Roles at Van Andel Institute are highly competitive, especially research positions that often require advanced degrees. Corewell Health has a broader range of openings, from entry-level support roles to specialized clinical positions. Tailoring your resume to the specific role and highlighting any healthcare or research experience will improve your chances.
Work-life balance varies by industry. Healthcare and hospitality can include nights, weekends, and holidays. Corporate roles at Meijer, Steelcase, and banks tend to have more standard business hours. Many tech and startup employers offer flexible or hybrid schedules. Overall, Grand Rapids’ shorter commute times and lower cost of living help support a healthier balance compared to larger metros.
Clinical and manufacturing roles must generally be on-site. However, many corporate, IT, finance, and marketing positions at companies like Meijer, Steelcase, and local tech firms now offer hybrid or fully remote arrangements, especially post-2020. Job postings typically indicate whether hybrid work is available.
Salaries in Grand Rapids are often lower than in Chicago or coastal cities, but the cost of living—particularly housing—is significantly more affordable. For many professionals, overall purchasing power and quality of life end up comparable or better, especially when factoring in shorter commutes and access to outdoor recreation.
Research each company’s mission and culture, and tailor your resume and cover letter accordingly. Highlight relevant projects, internships, or volunteer work, and emphasize soft skills like collaboration and communication. Networking through local events, professional associations, and LinkedIn connections in Grand Rapids can also significantly improve your chances of landing interviews.
