Orange County’s software firms experienced an estimated 7% drop in local employee numbers this year, falling to 5,701 in July from the previous year. Despite this overall trend, some companies, including those based in Irvine, reported specific changes to their local workforces.
Irvine-based digital advertising company Viant recorded a slight increase in its Orange County workforce, moving from 146 to 148 employees. This placed Viant at the 14th position among the firms surveyed. In contrast, MeridianLink, also located in Irvine, saw its total Orange County headcount decrease by 13% to 95 employees as of July, ranking 19th.
Tim Vanderhook, chief executive and co-founder of Viant, commented on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the industry. He stated that AI is shifting developers' work away from routine coding towards system design and strategic judgment. Vanderhook noted, “This is not the disappearance of the developer.” He added that “It is a shift in where the value sits,” with AI handling more execution and humans focusing on setting direction and applying judgment.
The fastest-growing software firm in Orange County by headcount was Corona del Mar-based Tebra, an AI-powered healthcare company. Its local employee count increased from 400 to 450, a nearly 13% rise. Tebra, which provides digital tools for independent healthcare practices including online scheduling and billing, holds the third-highest local headcount overall. Founder and Chief Executive Dan Rodrigues commented on the impact of AI, stating, “AI levels the playing field,” for independent providers competing with larger hospital systems.
Among other prominent Orange County software companies, IBM Corp., with offices in Costa Mesa, maintained the largest local headcount with an estimated 1,188 employees as of July, unchanged from the previous year. Video game maker Blizzard Entertainment, located in Anaheim, saw an estimated nearly 29% decrease in its total local headcount, dropping to 900 employees, placing it in the second slot. Blizzard is preparing for its annual fan event, BlizzCon, in Anaheim on September 12-13.
Outside of Irvine, Melissa Data Corp. in Rancho Santa Margarita reported a local headcount of 140, shedding one employee. iBase-t in Lake Forest increased its local workforce from 38 to 41 employees. iBase-t CEO Naveen Poonian stated that demand for digital manufacturing and AI-enabled solutions led to adding talent in strategic areas. He affirmed that “Orange County remains iBase-t’s home and an important center” for its leadership and growth.
Collecting precise employee figures from software firms proved challenging for the survey, with only five of 22 companies providing specific local employee numbers. The overall decline in local software industry employment across Orange County indicates a period of adjustment for the sector.