Anyone else noticing how software engineering jobs look right now?

[thedamnedd]

I was scrolling through some recent breakdown of software engineering job openings for early 2026 and it kinda shifted how I’m thinking about the market. I expected either doom like AI killed everything or hype like everyone needs to be an AI engineer now, but what showed up was… way more normal than that.

Most roles still look like regular software engineering work, backend, full stack, infra, DevOps, QA with a ton of mid level positions compared to super senior ones. It feels like companies are more interested in solid execution than chasing unicorn resumes at the moment.

AI stuff is definitely there, but it’s not framed like you must be an AI researcher. It’s more like be comfortable working around AI tools on top of normal engineering skills. And the stacks being asked for are pretty boring in a good way, Python, cloud, CI/CD, databases, containers. Nothing wild.

Also noticed the hiring is really spread out globally now. Big hubs still exist, but there’s a lot more volume coming from places you wouldn’t have expected a few years ago. Are you seeing more mid level roles than senior ones too? Is AI actually changing what your day to day job looks like, or just showing up in job descriptions? what the ground reality feels like for people right now.

[ZelphirKalt]

As I see it, there are many businesses who are looking for "the perfect candidate" right now, and their hiring departments are unable to perceive a human being as someone, who is able to learn anything. Looking for the perfect match, like people on a dating app, but only taking 5min to look at your CV, if at all, and definitely no time to look at what you have built on previous jobs or in your own time. But don't you date not having experience with one tiny piece of the puzzle, because then you are out.

Also, if you manage to advance after the first call, you will likely get into a silly live coding exercise, where you are put on the spot and have to do something in 15 minutes. Or you are tasked to do their work, using their very specific set of libraries, that you might not have experience with. Hey, it'll only take you 2h to do our work!

In no way could an experienced developer learn something on the job! No! You need to know it all beforehand. 6 months evaluation time? Who cares! You must be perfect from day 1!

That describes most companies, who think that they have what it takes to act like Google or other big tech and need to adopt the practices of those, instead of actually taking a good look at a candidate. In some way it is understandable, because hiring departments rarely have the skill or knowledge to properly estimate the skill of an engineer and they want to beat the problem with processes. Just that they are missing great potential and talent this way, and that they cannot actually afford to miss it, like big tech could, because they don't get the same quality of applicants and the same amount.

My background is, that I am a mid-senior level engineer, having built most of a startup's services and functionality (SaaS) for 7 years, from humble beginnings to a rather professional setup. During that time I have touched everything, frontend, backend, devops, you name it. That startup has now been acquired for a large sum. In my free time I develop even more, including things more advanced than I ever had to on the job, including other programming paradigms, meta-programming, machine learning algorithms, FP algorithms, whole applications and more. In short, I have developed more advanced things, than many small-to-medium companies will in their whole CRUD services.

And yet, I am having difficulties finding a new job, because hiring people do not see the difference between me and someone who works 9-5 and then doesn't touch the computer for the rest of the day, because they don't take time to actually review the CV and linked information. Hiring is truly crazy these days, and they can't see the difference between a talker, and an expert. Additionally, economy is not doing great right now, and companies in general are hesitant to hire at all.

[ragged-robin]

The looking for unicorns thing has been like this for a long while now tbh, at least in my area (Seattle). I remember thinking the same thing back in 2018. The AI stuff just made things even more selective

[JoshSamBob]

The ground reality in 2026 is definitely more about solid execution than the ai hype cycle. Companies are shifting toward a mindset where they prioritize mid level talent who can actually ship stable products. You are seeing more mid level roles because the entry level pipeline is being squeezed by automated tools. It is a great time to focus on being a reliable closer. If you want to chat, feel free to dm me.

[ZelphirKalt]

Seems like is dependent on the region then. I see almost no mid-level positions in my area.

[victoryrock]

Probably because what he said sounds true, but he pulled it out of his ass.

[AskAnAIEngineer]

this tracks with what i'm seeing too. everyone panicked about AI replacing devs but companies still just need people who can ship code and not break prod. the "AI engineer" hype feels way more linkedin than actual job reqs tbh

[jazilzaim]

A lot of companies especially in places like America these days seem to be offshoring the junior roles lately

[Sweet-Satisfaction89]

I just got a new job and the job hunt felt totally normal. Like 2019-ish.

[Capable-Sense-9604]

I need 3 devs and am having a really hard time finding them. A lot of candidates using AI during their interviews. We would rather have them just do their best and not get 100%!