Why IT Firms Will Hire 10X More Engineers—For Roles That Barely Exist Today

And, no, your job is not going away—unless you are allergic to learning something new.

Let's be clear: the era of engineers being replaced is not coming; it has already ended.  Because, what exactly is going on?  They are being reimagined.  And fast.

 The tech world has been buzzing (read: spiraling) with chatter that "coders are doomed" or that "soon, no one will need to write code."  But here's a surprise plot twist: IT firms are hiring more engineers than ever before—but not for the jobs you might expect.

The 10x Boom: What’s Driving It?

According to top tech leaders and industry veterans, we will not see fewer software engineers, but rather ten times as many, albeit in wildly different shapes and flavors.

 "The idea that we won't need engineers in the future is laughable," says Okta CEO Todd McKinnon.  He compares the current transition to the proliferation of smartphones and cloud computing.  "Tech changes, roles evolve, demand explodes."

Here’s what’s shaking things up:

• Code isn't the king anymore—thinking is.
  Engineers are no longer simply typing out syntax.  They orchestrate systems, create smarter workflows, and manage entire fleets of technology tools.
  
  

• Boilerplate is boring. Problem-solving is the new flex.
  According to Zoho's Sridhar Vembu, 90% of what coders do today is boilerplate.  That is what needs to change, not the coders.
  
  

• One engineer, ten digital assistants.
  Consider this: an engineer overseeing five virtual coding assistants, running tests, designing interfaces, and finding bugs before lunch.  It's not science fiction.  It's the hiring road map for tomorrow.

The New-Age Engineer: Not Just a Coder

Think beyond Java and Python. Future engineers prioritize long-term scalability over just "does it work?"

• Digital product innovators who combine user needs with technical prowess.
  
  

• AI whisperers manage task agents such as Windsurf and Cursor.
  
  

• Multilingual technologists work in business, compliance, and design, as well as code.

"Being a developer no longer entails writing code. Keras creator François Chollet describes it as "engineering and solving real problems."

The Predictions Are In

By 2030:

• The global number of software engineers is expected to increase from 26 million to 35 million or more.
  
  

• Over 80% of tech teams will need to reskill in their current roles (Gartner, 2024).

Pro tip:
Do not wait for your manager to assign you a new role.  Explore courses on system design, product architecture, and team orchestration.  Get ahead while others are still updating their LinkedIn bios.

Real Talk: What This Means for Indian IT

India, brace yourselves.  The "services-only" model will not work for long.  For decades, the industry has thrived on process-driven delivery.  But, guess what?  If tech tools begin to handle these repetitive tasks, engineers must rise above checklists.

What about the silver lining?  This makes room for high-skill, high-impact roles that require strategy, product innovation, and decision-making.  In other words, jobs that don't feel like work.

 "There will be additional engineers.  Their jobs will simply look different," says Russell Kaplan of Cognition Labs.

Essential Takeaways

• You’re not losing your job—you’re gaining a new one.
  One with higher pay, less grunt work, and greater impact.
  
  

• Don’t just learn tools—learn how to think like a tech architect.
  That's what top companies are looking for.
  
  

The best engineers tomorrow will write less code, but build more magic.

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Start your hiring journey with Swissmote and discover the full range of services. For more insights, visit the Swissmote blog and explore our FAQs.

Quick FAQs

1.Will traditional coding still matter in five years?
Yes, but primarily as a foundational skill.  The real value will be found in system design and strategic thinking.

2. Are junior developers at risk of being replaced?
Not replaced, but expected to level up quickly.  Learning quickly is the new job security.

3. What skills are now in highest demand?
Product design, system architecture, multi-functional problem solving, and toolchain orchestration.

4. Do engineers still need to know multiple languages?
Yes, but the emphasis is shifting to how you think and why you build, not just the language you use.

5. Is this shift global or specific to big tech?
It is global.  From healthcare to finance, everyone is looking for tech talent who can think, not just code.

Bottom Line

If you're in technology and feeling the pressure, that's great.  That means you are paying attention.  However, don't confuse disruption with doom.  The demand for engineers will skyrocket over the next five years.  Just not those stuck in 2015.

 What's your next role?  It might not yet have a name.

 But it is already waiting.