The Shifting Landscape of Software Engineering Specializations in 2024

The tech industry is in a state of cautious optimism following a tumultuous year. Understanding the current market dynamics is key to employers navigating software engineering hiring. 

In our second Software Engineering Trends report focused on specializations, we analyzed software engineering positions active on the Hired platform in 2023 compared to 2022.

Let’s dive into some broader highlights that offer guidance as you strategize hiring engineers for your organization’s tech team. 

The steadfast specialties: Backend, Full Stack, and Frontend Engineers

The most dominant specializations have remained steady over the past three years. Backend Engineer, Full Stack Engineer, and Frontend Engineers consistently topped the list of most-posted and most-interviewed roles. Their enduring popularity is a testament to their indispensable roles in building robust, scalable digital systems.

In 2023, Backend Engineers were most in demand, representing 40% of all active software engineer positions. These engineers are likely in high demand because they’re instrumental in building scalable and reliable distributed systems.

Full Stack Engineers followed, being 34% of active software engineer positions on the platform. Meanwhile, Frontend Engineers were the third most in-demand specialization, representing 17% of active roles. 

The versatile powerhouses: Full Stack Engineers

Full Stack Engineers, in particular, have garnered significant attention due to their adaptability. With the ability to navigate seamlessly across the entire technology stack, from frontend interfaces to backend systems, offering unparalleled flexibility. 

In a time marked by budget constraints and agile methodologies, their adaptability proves invaluable, empowering businesses to pivot swiftly and tackle diverse challenges with agility.

Other popular software engineer specializations

Thanks to the rise of AI, certain specializations are seeing growth. This is clearly reflected on Hired, with the share of listings for Machine Learning Engineers increasing by 43% from 2022 to 2023. 

Security and Cybersecurity Engineers were also more highly desired than in previous years. We saw a 30% increase in active postings for those roles year-over-year. 

Demand decreases for Mobile Engineers

In contrast, the demand for Mobile Engineers has witnessed a decline. This specialization had the biggest decrease in representation on the platform, as measured by the change in percentage of active positions, was Mobile Engineer (-19% YoY). 

As the market matures and cross-platform development tools proliferate, the need for native mobile app development expertise diminishes. Instead, companies are embracing web technologies and progressive web apps to deliver seamless experiences across platforms.

Charting a course for hiring success

For those in tech recruiting, it’s essential to understand the current market for software engineer roles — and where a prospective employee might fit in. Use these insights to guide your hiring strategy and fill your tech team with the best talent. 

Interested in sourcing top talent with specialized engineering skills? See Hired’s products and services in action with a customized demo.