When autonomous trucking company Torc set out to find the right city to fuel its next phase of growth, one place stood out: Ann Arbor, Michigan. Known for its world-class university, rich pool of engineering talent, and collaborative startup culture, Ann Arbor offers more than just the right credentials; it offers alignment.
Torc recently opened a regional office in the city, with plans to hire 500 people over the next five years. With more than 50 hires already made and 30+ open roles, the company is moving fast. Ann Arbor is the right place for Torc to grow, thanks to a few key advantages: access to highly skilled engineers, strong university partnerships, and a business climate that supports innovation in areas like mobility, machine learning, and AI.
“For Torc, Ann Arbor has proven to be a great area for attracting world-class talent,” said CJ King, Chief Technology Officer at Torc. “The city’s deep expertise in engineering, AI, and automotive has allowed us to rapidly scale operations with a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging innovators.”
It also didn’t hurt that Torc’s CTO already lived in Ann Arbor. Working remotely, he’d seen firsthand the city’s depth of talent and strong tech infrastructure. That perspective helped drive the expansion — and quickly led to securing office space, building local partnerships, and hosting standing-room-only tech talks in the community.
“Our Ann Arbor tech center, launched in 2025, has become a key pillar of Torc’s national footprint — bringing together local technologists, university researchers, and OEM collaborators under one roof,” CJ added. “We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from candidates motivated by the opportunity to help shape the next era of transportation, safety, and autonomous driving.”
Establishing yourself in a new city isn’t always easy, but Ann Arbor SPARK helped smooth the transition.
“We try to meet companies where they are,” said Jennifer Olmstead, Vice President of Business Development at SPARK, an organization that supports tech-focused companies in the region. “You’ve got a dense population of smart, innovative people, from students and researchers to experienced professionals, coming out of places like KLA and Toyota. It makes this region incredibly attractive for companies in mobility, AI, and other emerging tech.”
SPARK acted as a connector from day one, helping Torc engage with local universities, explore real estate options, plug into networking events, and meet industry key players.
“Whether you’re a startup or a global company, we help you find the talent, the partners, and the community you need to succeed here,” Jennifer added.
Torc tapped into the region’s deep mobility and AI experience, fueled by institutions like University of Michigan and Kettering University, and found a mission-driven, experienced workforce eager to explore cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology.
“The hiring process has been energized by the area’s strong culture of innovation and collaboration,” said CJ. “We’re uniting local talent to create a team built to advance autonomous technology safely and effectively.”
To plug into a new tech ecosystem, you have to show up. Torc made its presence known by participating in key community events like Tech Trek and Tech Homecoming, two high-profile Ann Arbor gatherings that bring together local talent, startups, and community leaders.
“Events like Tech Trek and Tech Homecoming are great entry points,” said Jennifer. “They give new companies a chance to meet people, make connections, and start building relationships in the community.”
And those connections are already paying off. From talent referrals to local brand awareness, Torc is growing its presence as an employer and as a contributor to the community.
“Participating in community-centered events like Tech Trek and Tech Homecoming has been instrumental in helping Torc root itself within Ann Arbor’s innovation ecosystem,” said CJ. “These events let us show what we’re working on and meet people across Ann Arbor’s tech scene, from students and startups to experienced industry leaders.”
“The opening of our Ann Arbor tech center has further strengthened our community ties,” he added. “Situated within one of the nation’s leading automotive and AI talent clusters, the site opens us to collaborate with universities and OEM partners while supporting the continued growth of Michigan’s technology workforce.”
With dozens of hires made and more on the way, Torc’s Michigan team is quickly becoming a core part of its national footprint.
The company plans to continue scaling its team, deepen partnerships with local institutions, and expand its work in machine learning, systems engineering, and responsible autonomous vehicle development.
“Unlike many traditional tech centers, Ann Arbor offers a balanced ecosystem where innovation isn’t driven solely by speed, but by purpose and precision,” CJ said. “The community’s focus on safety and responsibility aligns perfectly with Torc’s mission to make transportation safer and more reliable. That alignment of culture and purpose makes Ann Arbor more than just a place to operate — it’s a place to lead responsibly.”
Curious how your company can plug into the Ann Arbor tech scene? Learn more about how Ann Arbor SPARK is helping companies like Torc grow and thrive.