Navigating the Software Engineering Market in 2024

The world of software engineering is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for both seasoned professionals and newcomers to the industry. As we peer into the future, it's important to understand the trends and shifts that are likely to shape the software engineering market in 2024 and beyond. In this blog, we'll explore what you can expect in terms of job prospects, emerging technologies, and the evolving skill sets that will be in demand.

Increased Demand for Software Engineers

The software engineering job market is expected to remain robust in 2024. With the growing reliance on technology and software in various industries, there will be a continued need for skilled software engineers. Software engineers are in high demand. According to the Statistics NZ Census and MBIE projections, the growth rate for the broader category “business and systems analysts, and programmers” is between 2.4% and 4.4% annually until 2028.

Emerging Technologies and Specialisations

In 2024, several emerging technologies are likely to drive new job opportunities and specialisations within the software engineering field. Here are a few areas to keep an eye on:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning continue to shape the software industry. Jobs related to AI, such as machine learning engineers and AI ethicists, are expected to be in high demand. Understanding how to work with AI frameworks and libraries will be a valuable skill.
2. Blockchain: As blockchain technology matures, there will be an increased demand for blockchain developers who can create secure and efficient decentralised applications (DApps).
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): The gaming industry and various other sectors are exploring the potential of AR and VR. Software engineers with expertise in AR and VR development will find exciting opportunities.
4. Cybersecurity: With the constant threat of cyberattacks, cybersecurity experts will continue to be in high demand. Software engineers who can develop secure applications and systems will be highly sought after.
5. Popular languages: Application Web application, mobile, desktop & hardware development still remain at the core of many businesses so traditional languages like C#.Net, Java, Python, SQL, PHP, C++, EmbeddedC, Swift / ObjectiveC (iOS), Kotlin (Android) will remain popular with modern JavaScript front end frameworks (utilising TypeScript) like React, Vue & Angular still highly in demand.
6. New languages: Like GO, Dart, Rust, Julia, Nim with functional languages continue to grow in popularity but are often seen as more cult than commercial

Remote and Flexible Work

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend towards remote work, and it is expected to remain a significant aspect of the software engineering landscape in 2024. Although many people have now realised the benefit of connecting with each other for social & mental health and choose hybrid as a preference with 2 or 3 days WFH. Although companies have realised the benefits of remote work in terms of talent acquisition, able to widen their pool of talent and retention by offering more flexibility.

DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)

DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines are now integral to the software development process. In 2024, companies will continue to adopt these practices to accelerate development, improve collaboration between teams, and enhance the reliability of software releases. Software engineers well-versed in DevOps tools and methodologies will be highly sought after.

Soft Skills and Collaboration

While technical skills are crucial, the ability to work effectively in a team, communicate clearly, and adapt to changing project requirements is becoming increasingly important. Software engineers who can demonstrate strong soft skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication, will stand out in the job market.

Continuous Learning & Adaptability - use of AI companion tools

The software engineering landscape is ever-changing, so continuous learning is a necessity. In 2024, software engineers will need to stay up-to-date with new technologies, programming languages, and development methodologies. Online courses, certifications, and bootcamps will continue to be valuable resources for skill development and career growth. Using AI tools like ChatGPT & Microsoft’s Co-Pilot as a companion for coding is increasing productivity but must be taken with a pinch of salt with AI being erm rather ‘creative’ - making things up frequently. So you still need to know ‘what good looks like’ and this only comes with practice & experience.

Summing up the software engineering market in 2024 has plenty of opportunities for those prepared to adapt and grow with the industry. The demand for software engineers is expected to remain strong, with new and exciting specialisations emerging. Always focusing on lifelong learning, embracing new technologies, using new AI tools, improving your soft skills will be key to thriving in this dynamic field. As the software engineering market continues to evolve, so must the professionals who drive its innovation and progress.

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I’m Paul, lover of coffee, dogs, biking, surfing & skiing. Founder & Principal Consultant of Sunstone, an IT Recruitment & HR company specialising in recruiting IT roles within software, web, digital, mobile, blockchain, data, cloud infrastructure, security & networks in Christchurch & South Island of New Zealand.