About Us
An IT consulting and staffing firm
Polar Bear Agency LLC helps businesses build software and find the technical talent to run it. We work as an extension of your team, whether that means shipping a project or placing an engineer.
Our Approach
Two disciplines, one team
Most firms specialize in either consulting or staffing. We do both, because in practice they're rarely separate problems — a project that needs architecture also needs hands to build it, and a staffing gap is usually tied to a specific technical need.
Our consulting engagements cover custom software development, cloud infrastructure, and security and IT strategy. Our staffing arm manages interview coordination and technical talent placement, backed by a structured screening process.
How We Work
Scoped, transparent engagements
Every engagement starts with a scoping conversation — what you need built, or who you need hired, and on what timeline. From there we propose a clear scope of work or staffing plan before any commitment is made.
Throughout the engagement, you get direct access to the people doing the work and regular progress updates, not quarterly check-ins from an account manager.
Leadership
Who's behind the work
Ethan Wagner Swanson
Founder & Owner
Ethan founded Polar Bear Agency to give growing businesses direct access to senior engineering judgment and a disciplined technical staffing process — without the layers of account management that slow larger firms down. He is personally involved in setting the technical standards behind every consulting and staffing engagement.
What We Value
The principles behind how we operate
Engineering-First
Our recommendations come from people who build software, not from a sales playbook. If it isn’t the right technical call, we’ll say so.
Direct Communication
You work with the consultant or recruiter on your engagement — not a rotating point of contact or an account manager relaying messages.
Confidentiality
Client roadmaps and candidate information are treated as confidential by default. NDAs are available on request.
Long-Term Fit
For staffing engagements, we optimize for people who will still be a good fit for your team six months in, not just a fast placement.