Job openings for software developers on the rise again, despite the advance of AI coding tools

A striking countertrend in the job market

For years, the expectation has been that artificial intelligence would make the work of software developers obsolete. AI coding tools can now automate large parts of the programming process, from writing basic functions to detecting bugs. Yet recent reporting by CNBC shows that the number of job openings for software developers is actually rising again, despite — or possibly partly because of — this technological development.

Senior and AI roles driving the growth

The increase in job openings appears to be driven mainly by two categories of roles: experienced, senior developers and specialists who focus specifically on AI systems. Whereas junior programmers previously handled a large share of routine coding work, demand is now shifting toward people who can effectively deploy AI tools, assess their output, and design and oversee complex systems. This doesn't so much change the overall demand for developers, but it does change the type of expertise companies are looking for.

Entry-level positions lagging behind

Set against this growth at the top end of the job market is an opposite trend at the bottom: job openings for entry-level positions for beginning developers are lagging behind. This aligns with a broader concern within the tech sector that AI tools are taking over precisely the kind of routine, relatively simple coding work that young professionals have traditionally used to start their careers. If entry-level positions remain structurally under pressure, this could eventually have consequences for the influx of new talent into the sector.

What this says about the role of AI in software development

The development suggests that, in practice, AI is not simply replacing jobs but is shifting the software developer profession. As AI tools increasingly take over execution-level work, there appears to be a growing need for people who can direct, check, and integrate these tools into larger systems. This requires a different set of skills than before: less purely technical programming work, more insight into architecture, quality assurance, and effectively collaborating with AI systems.

Limited evidence so far, but a clear direction

CNBC bases its findings on observations in the software developer job market, without extensive figures or additional sources currently available to precisely quantify the scale of the trend. What is clear, however, is that this development fits within a broader discussion in the tech sector about the impact of AI on employment: not so much jobs disappearing altogether, but a shift in what kind of work and what level of experience is in demand.

Looking ahead

Time will tell whether this trend continues and how companies respond to the declining demand for entry-level positions. For both employers and aspiring developers, the message for now seems clear: AI is fundamentally changing the software development profession, but — at least for now — it is not making it obsolete.