So what’s really happening?

The short answer: while there are fewer postings overall, demand for skilled engineers remains strong. The volume has dipped, but expectations have gone up. Employers aren’t hiring as fast, but they’re hiring more strategically. And the competition for qualified, adaptable engineers is still very real.

Even with fewer openings, the demand for the right engineers is still there

The volume of software engineering roles has dropped since the pandemic-era hiring surges. At the same time, the rise of AI-powered tools has led some companies to restructure or shrink their dev teams.

But the data paints a more nuanced picture.

Where the software job market stands
– Job postings: down 34% from peak Pragmatic Engineer
– Software developer unemployment: 2.2% vs. 4.1% nationally Robert Half
– Entry-level postings: up 47% since late 2023 Tech Elevator

The takeaway: demand is still outpacing supply. The market has shifted from high-volume hiring to focused, skill-based recruitment. For employers, that means knowing exactly what to look for — and how to spot it.

A new bar for software engineering talent

Hiring managers are no longer looking for engineers who simply check the technical boxes. They need team members who can keep up with shifting tools, collaborate across functions, and contribute from day one. The definition of “qualified” has changed — and so has the bar.

It’s not just about code anymore.
The strongest engineering candidates in 2025 aren’t just fluent in code. They’re well-rounded professionals who can deliver technically, communicate clearly, and adapt quickly as technology evolves.

Full-stack fluency is the foundation.
Most roles now expect engineers to contribute across the full stack — building front-end interfaces, integrating with back-end services, and deploying code using tools like React, Node.js, Spring Boot, and Django. 

Experience with AI-assisted development is also becoming a key differentiator. Engineers who know how to integrate tools like GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT into their workflow are delivering faster and debugging more efficiently.

Security is no longer a specialized add-on.
Engineers are expected to write secure, defensive code, manage authentication, and anticipate vulnerabilities as part of their core responsibilities. The same goes for CI/CD pipelines — knowing how code moves from development to deployment is no longer optional.

Soft skills matter more than ever.
Engineers who can explain trade-offs, collaborate across teams, and solve complex problems with clarity and calm are the ones who drive long-term value.

What top engineers bring in 2025
– Full-stack fluency across front-end and back-end environments
– Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools
– Secure coding practices built into every step of the process
– Confidence with CI/CD, version control, and deployment workflows
– Strong communication, adaptability, and critical thinking skills

The shifts every hiring team should know

One of the biggest shifts in 2025? Candidate expectations.

Experienced engineers now expect hybrid or remote flexibility. It’s not considered a perk — it’s the baseline. Employers who can’t offer location flexibility often struggle to attract or retain senior talent.

At the same time, more companies are turning to short-term contractors to bridge urgent needs, especially when internal skills haven’t kept up. But that’s a stopgap. Forward-thinking teams are prioritizing reskilling and upskilling their full-time staff to reduce long-term dependency on external help.

And across the board, skills-based hiring continues to rise. More employers are dropping degree requirements and evaluating candidates based on what they can actually do, not just where they studied.

How Per Scholas fits your hiring strategy

Per Scholas helps employers close the gap between talent needs and team readiness. We train software engineers with the right mix of technical fluency, soft skills, and real-world experience — so companies can hire with confidence and speed.

Built for today’s demands.
Each graduate completes over 400 hours of immersive training across full-stack tools like React, Node.js, Spring Boot, Django, Git, MongoDB, MySQL, and Jenkins. Curriculum is aligned with employer expectations and focused on practical, hands-on problem solving.

Soft skills, not just hard skills.
In addition to technical depth, our engineers are trained in communication, teamwork, and professional agility — skills honed through presentations, code reviews, group projects, and feedback.

Support that goes beyond the hire.
From interview scheduling to onboarding and alumni coaching, we stay engaged long after a candidate joins your team. We also offer upskilling programs to help employers grow existing staff into new technical roles.

Per Scholas engineers are ready for roles like:
– Full Stack Developer
– Backend Engineer
– Java Developer
– Python/Django Developer
– DevOps-supporting Software Engineer

The bottom line

Hiring software engineers in 2025 isn’t about filling seats — it’s about finding people who can build, ship, and grow with your team. The volume of hiring may have slowed, but the pressure to find capable, forward-ready engineers hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, it’s sharpened. 

Per Scholas is built to help you meet that challenge — with engineers trained for today’s reality and ready for what’s next.