Graduate Recruitment Opportunities (GRO) - Technology

Manulife; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is launching the START Technology New Graduate Program in Southwestern Ontario. This two-year rotational program develops future technology leaders through hands-on experience in roles such as Full-Stack Software Engineer and Data Engineer. Candidates should have a relevant degree and a passion for technology within an inclusive and innovative workplace. The position supports growth, mentorship, and a hybrid working environment, with a salary range of $60,900 CAD - $113,100 CAD.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

Long-term disability insurance

Generous paid time off

Retirement savings plans

Qualifications

• Graduating from an accredited university with a relevant undergraduate degree.
• Passion for a career as a software engineer or data engineer.
• Understanding of object-oriented design and development frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of system components.
• Analyze business requirements and create design specifications.
• Perform testing and maintenance of system components.

Skills

Object-oriented programming

Agile methodologies

DevOps practices

Communication skills

Problem-solving aptitude

Education

Undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Java

JavaScript

Spring Boot

ReactJS

Azure

Job description

Overview

Graduate Recruitment Opportunities (GRO) at Manulife John Hancock. Start your career with purpose, growth, and community.

At Manulife John Hancock, we believe in investing in the future - starting with you. Our GRO program is a bold new approach to early talent development, designed to launch your career with the support, structure, and opportunities you need to thrive. GRO is Manulife John Hancock ’s flagship early talent program and brand. It’s more than just a job - it’s a launchpad for your career. GRO offers a consistent, high-quality experience for new graduates across the organization.

START Technology Early Talent Program

Launch your tech career with Manulife’s START Technology New Graduate Program, a key stream within our GRO early talent program. START is a two-year rotational program designed to develop future technology leaders through two 12-month placements in roles such as Full-Stack Software Engineer, Cloud-native Engineer, Business Analyst, and Data Engineer. As part of START, you’ll gain access to a supportive community, structured learning, mentorship, and leadership exposure - empowering you to grow your skills while making a real impact. With a values-first culture, professional development at every step, and a focus on your wellbeing and career progression, START is your gateway to a meaningful and future-ready tech career.

Position Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of system components (e.g., API, microservice, application) per defined architecture and program specifications.
• Analyze business requirements and contribute to design specifications for system components.
• Create and execute unit tests ensuring system components operate as specified.
• Track, communicate and suggest solutions for managing defects.
• Interface with other dependent systems for scheduling and planning.
• Clearly document system component modifications.
• Perform basic analysis and debugging functions on existing system components.
• Develop competency with possible supporting tools such as Java, JavaScript, Spring Boot, ReactJS, Azure AKS/ACS, APIM, Salesforce, .NET.

Required Qualifications

• Graduating from an accredited university with an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Passion to be a professional software engineer/data engineer/business analyst.
• Understand object-oriented software development frameworks and design patterns.
• Understand DevOps, Web and Mobile development and testing, Test Driven Development, Pair Programming, Data/Database technologies, Cybersecurity, Microservices.
• Understand Software Development Lifecycle approaches, especially Agile/Scaled Agile/Scrum development practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understand current web technology standards and emerging technologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Aptitude to solve business problems with technology.

When you join our team

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

Application Instructions

• Please submit your resume, academic transcript, and work term evaluation (if any) in one PDF file.

#LI-Hybrid

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Salary and Location

Referenced Salary Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Working Arrangement: Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between $60,900 CAD - $113,100 CAD. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.