The Future of Software Engineering in UK & Ireland – Trends to Watch

The software development industry is currently going through uncertain waters. With AI and automation taking the driving seat, software developers, especially those working in purely coding roles, are wondering what is the future of software engineering and if their roles are quickly going obsolete.

This uncertainty is especially obvious in the UK and Ireland's dynamic marketplaces, which are driven by talent availability and rapid technological improvements. 

Understanding software engineering future trends and patterns is critical for both individuals looking for work in the software development industry and tech organisations looking to employ the best possible talent in these regions.

The UK Software Engineering Job Market

Even though faced with economic challenges, the sector is showing resilience, with the Sunday Times reporting the 100 fastest growing tech companies to have collectively increased their revenue to a massive £3.2 billion from £600 million in the past 3 years. During this time period, these companies created over 11,200 new jobs and are planning to hire 4,200 more professionals in coming years.

Despite this growth, the overall job market faces headwinds. The KPMG and REC UK report on jobs indicates a rapid decline in permanent staff vacancies, with January 2025 witnessing the sharpest drop since August 2020, during the pandemic. Pay growth is also on a declining path, as increased candidate availability has eased out the salary pressure.

New graduates entering the market are encountering a highly competitive environment due to a surplus of candidates and a mismatch between academic training and employer needs.

Overall, while the UK's software engineering landscape is demonstrating a gradual growth, professionals and new graduates will have to navigate a challenging employment landscape in the near future.

The Irish Software Engineering Job Market

Similar to the UK, the Irish software development market is also on a path of constant growth. Employing over 106,000 professionals, the Irish software development industry is currently valued at a massive £66 billion.

However, unlike the UK market, job postings are stable at 19% of the pre-pandemic levels along with robust wage growth and a tight labour market. Salaries for software developers currently range from €31,700 for entry-level roles to €180,000 for senior positions. There's a high demand for skills in AI, Python, cloud computing and data analysis.

Despite these positive indicators, the country is struggling to attract top talent, with 74% of businesses struggling to find suitable talent. In response, the Irish government have issued over 38,000 work permits to non-EU individuals in 2024, aiming to address critical skill shortages, particularly in the IT sector.

The Future of Software Engineering – Demand, Evolution & Opportunities

Software engineering remains a cornerstone of today's digital economy. Both the UK and Ireland continue to see solid demand despite market fluctuations. In the UK the software industry seems to be shifting towards special skills like machine learning, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. 

Ireland's software development sector is facing a continuous talent shortage, pushing companies to hire internationally and collaborate with specialty tech recruitment firms like us, Fruition IT, to fill the gap.

The Future of Software Engineering with AI – Will Software Engineers Be Needed in the Future?

Yes, software engineering has a strong and secure future. Despite massive advancements in AI and automation, the current trends and future projections show increasing demand for skilled engineers, particularly in specialised fields such as AI integration, cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing and enterprise software solutions.

While AI might automate repetitive coding tasks, it cannot and should not replace human expertise in designing, managing and optimising complex software solutions. Think about it. Who is going to ask AI to do the tasks we need if there’s no human engineering involved?

Also, writing code is one thing, putting that code where it will work is another thing. Engineers who stay ahead of emerging technologies will not only remain relevant but will also be in high demand.

What is the Future of Software Engineering & How Will Software Engineering Change in the Future?

While routine coding tasks will largely be automated, software engineers will shift their focus towards high-level tasks such as AI governance, cybersecurity, prompt engineering and building system architecture.

Key changes we can expect by 2035:

• AI Driven Development – AI-assisted coding will most probably handle repetitive tasks like writing functions and logics while human engineers will be responsible for designing and maintaining AI systems to ensure ethical and effective implementation.

• Cybersecurity & Data Privacy – With data usage increasing at a rapid pace and rapidly evolving cyberthreats, software engineers specialising in security, encryption, and regulatory compliance will be in high demand.

• Cloud & Edge Computing – With more businesses shifting towards decentralised computing, software engineers will be required to develop scalable, secure, and distributed systems.

• Quantum Computing Integration – By 2035, quantum computing will likely become more accessible and might change the whole development industry upside down, with engineers required to learn new languages and build whole new types of quantum systems. 

Despite AI taking care of routine tasks, software engineers will remain in the driving seat – innovating, managing AI and taking humans into the future. The profession is for sure to evolve. But, demand for skilled software engineers will remain strong.