GRO Program - Technology (Waterloo)

Manulife Financial; Waterloo; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife's GRO Technology program in Waterloo invites new graduates to join a two-year rotation designed to develop future tech leaders through 12-month placements as Full-Stack Software Engineer and Data Engineer. You'll gain mentorship, structured learning, and leadership exposure in a values-driven culture.

The program emphasizes collaboration, learning, and accelerated career progression, with hybrid work and opportunities to work across API, microservices, and cloud tools like Azure.

Qualifications

• Expected graduation Spring 2027 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.
• 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.

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, Git, CI/CD, ReactJS, Azure AKS/ACS, APIM, Salesforce, .NET., and AI Tools and Prompt Engineering.

Skills

DevOps

OOP

Agile/Scrum

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Java

JavaScript

Spring Boot

Git

CI/CD

ReactJS

Azure AKS/ACS

APIM

Salesforce

.NET

AI Tools

Job description

At Manulife, 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’s flagship early talent program. 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.

Launch your tech career within Manulife’s Technology stream of the GRO Program. This 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 and Data Engineering. As part of GRO Technology, you’ll gain access to a supportive community, and benefit from structured learning, core skills training, 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 accelerated career progression, GRO Technology 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, Git, CI/CD, ReactJS, Azure AKS/ACS, APIM, Salesforce, .NET., and AI Tools and Prompt Engineering.

Required Qualifications:

• Expected graduation of Spring 2027 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.
• 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:

• Understanding of 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.

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.

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. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Referenced Salary Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$69,525.00 CAD - $115,875.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. 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. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

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.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.