5 major companies in Berlin you should know about
Berlin is far more than just startups. Here are five of the companies that have a significant (or growing) presence in Berlin, and you might have not known about them. They are also a part of the larger group I always keep an eye on and would imagine are a good employer.
ASML (semiconductor equipment)
ASML, a Dutch high-tech firm, is one of the most important companies in the world, a leader in chip-making equipment. It has a major R&D and production site in Berlin (ASML Berlin GmbH), where around 1,700 employees work on precision optics and wafer-handling parts for its lithography machines. ASML’s Berlin team develops critical components (mirrors, wafer tables, etc.) used by semiconductor fabs worldwide.
They usually hire across all roles, also in English.
50Hertz (power grid operator)
50Hertz is one of Germany’s four electricity transmission system operators and is headquartered in Berlin. It runs the high-voltage grid for Berlin and much of East/North Germany. The company employs over 2,300 people and supplies electricity to ~18 million end-customers. 50Hertz is also a leader in renewable-energy integration – aiming to run its grid on 100% green power by 2032. It is a critical infrastructure firm and one of the top employers in Berlin.
Here is their career page. You will likely need German.
JPMorgan Chase (retail banking)
JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, is launching its Chase retail bank in Germany with Berlin as headquarters. The Berlin office is hiring since some time. Full consumer banking operations will begin in 2026, starting with an app-based savings account. After attracting over 2.5+ million customers in the UK, Germany is its second European retail market. This makes Berlin (and not Frankfurt) a strategic hub for one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions.
To the career page… customer/regulator-facing roles require German.
Rhode & Schwarz (electronic test equipment)
Rohde & Schwarz (based in Munich) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electronic test and measurement equipment with 14,400+ employees globally. The company has significant operations in Berlin’s Adlershof Technology Park, developing cutting-edge test solutions for 5G/6G wireless, quantum technologies, and high-security encryption systems. Their equipment is essential infrastructure behind virtually every electronic device, but remains invisible to consumers. The privately-owned company invests heavily in R&D, making it an interesting employer for engineers working on breakthrough technologies.
On (sportswear)
On is a Swiss (Zürich) sportswear and running-shoe company with a creative tech office in Berlin (est. 2015). The Berlin branch has grown to about 287 team members. On is known as one of the two independent brands (next to Hoka) that successfully disrupted the footwear/sportswear market. If someone told you, “I will do sneakers” in 2010 and compete with Nike and Adidas, what would you respond? Its Berlin hub develops digital and marketing operations for the brand. From the outside, it looks like a fun company to work for.
Read next: How to find a great company to work for?
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