Avoid Fomo: Here are 10 top trending tech roles that you should be planning for

Tech is taking over. We’ve known this for a long time, but the last 12 months, in particular, have opened the eyes of people working in a whole range of industries to the importance of technology. The roles which are becoming essential to our daily lives are changing by the day. As consumers, businesses and day to day tasks become more consumed by technology; it’s only right that companies are searching for talented people to help them embrace it. Gone are the days when developers, data scientists and DevOps professionals were niche roles for specific industries. Instead, we’ve entered an era where demand couldn’t be higher. These roles are wanted in sectors from retail and commerce right through to manufacturing.

With the war on tech talent growing ever more competitive, many businesses are at risk of missing out on talented individuals if they do not plan ahead for the roles they need. Whether it’s getting ahead when it comes to data analytics or improving your software development efforts, tech talent can help businesses to stay competitive. Any business that does not embrace some of these new hot roles runs the risk of being left behind and appearing old fashioned, which will deter talent in the future.

We want to help you avoid the FOMO when it comes to recruiting tech talent. Plan ahead and make sure you are ready to hire these specialists before running the risk of losing out.

1. Artificial Intelligence Specialist

AI is changing everything; it’s automating working processes, influencing shopping habits and even allowing businesses to interpret data more intelligently. In the last five years, online searches for artificial intelligence have grown by 47%, and it currently receives over 110,000 searches in the US alone every month.

But what is AI?

AI and Machine Learning are complex algorithms that help computers act like humans; changing the way they interpret data and learn from mistakes. AI and Machine Learning specialists help machines learn and react to data. However, they also screen for problems, maintain the systems, and continually improve so that AI and Machine Learning systems can continue functioning and gaining intelligence.

2. Data Protection Officer

We all have more data online than ever before; it’s quickly become the world’s most valuable resource. With the implementation of GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act, it’s unsurprising that demand for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in the UK is growing. It is the job of a data protection officer to ensure that personal data management complies with data protection rules and saves companies from potentially costly security breaches.

3. Robotics Engineer

As we rely more on robots and automation, it’s no surprise that more and more businesses are looking to hire robotics engineers.

A robotics engineer creates applications or autonomous machines for industries such as manufacturing, automotive and more. Their job is to programme devices to automate repetitive, hazardous or unhealthy jobs, saving time and streamlining the production process. A robotics engineer designs prototypes build and tests machines, and maintains the software that controls them, which means they’re often proficient in C++ and other code forms.

Take a look at how we’ve helped autonomous driving manufacturer, Motional recruit engineers, to help build driverless cars.

4. Site Reliability Engineer

Site reliability engineering is a relatively new IT domain that aims to develop automated solutions for websites, monitor performance, and be ready to respond in the event of a disaster or should systems stop working. It acts as a bridge between development and business operations; it brings a software developer’s mind to a more administrative role. Their job is to ensure large websites remain reliable, efficient and user friendly even as they scale.

Right now, more businesses are embracing digitisation and taking their businesses online while tech businesses are seeing so much success that they are forced to scale. This is where a site reliability engineer becomes essential to scale your online business with minimal impact on the user experience.

5. Customer Success Specialist

Customer success is a term used to ensure that customers receive the desired outcome after using a product or service. It’s a customer success specialist’s job to ensure they understand the clients’ needs and build up strong relationships. When products and services are becoming so complex in the tech industry, customer success specialists act as a liaison. They ensure that your clients see the success desired to improve your businesses reputation. Having a designated customer success professional shows you have your customers best interests at heart.

In the last five years, searches for customer success specialists have grown in popularity by an incredible 245% with 4,400 in the US searches every month.

6. UX Researcher

UX researcher is another job title that demand has grown for. In the last five years, searches for UX researchers have increased by a massive 480%, with 6,600 searches in the US a month.

A UX researcher’s job is to deliver the best possible experience for a website’s users, making the website simple and as easy to use as possible. Using in-depth research, they will study user behaviour, website content and design, and the overall functionality to ensure that a website is performing to the best of its ability. They must put users at the heart of their work. UX Researchers must understand research methods as well as have in-depth technical knowledge.

7. Data Scientist

A data scientist is another role you’ll hear a lot of in the next few years. In fact, over the last five years, online searches for data science have grown by a whopping 220% with an impressive 90,500 searches in the US alone every month.

 A data scientist is part programmer, part statistician and part analyst. They are subject matter experts that can collate vast quantities of data to make predictions. A data scientist can read between the lines of data and action. A data scientist understands statistical techniques, the tools available to them, and creates strategies to use data to suit the specific business purpose.

Talent Works has recently been asked to source Data Scientists for scaling tech business, Eagle Genomics.

8. Cloud Engineer

Again, as more businesses embrace remote work, there is more need for cloud storage than ever before. Over the last 12 months, entire companies have had to move their databases into online spaces so that their team could access quickly and could collaborate on documents, but their servers remained secure. This is where cloud engineers and specialists come into play.

To put it simply, cloud engineers are responsible for all of the technical duties associated with cloud computing. This can involve designing cloud-based software for implementing and maintaining them for a business.

We know that there is a demand for cloud computing as in the last five years searches for terms like serverless are up by 1900%. As more and more businesses see the value of remote work, they need cloud computing and serverless business models to help them achieve business continuity. Without cloud engineers and professionals, this is increasingly difficult.

9. Cyber Security Specialist

With more and more people working from home, it’s no surprise that Google searches for Cyber Security Specialists over the last five years have grown by 48%, with around 110,000 searches in the US per month. Companies once only had to worry about their networks and servers in a single office building. Remote working has opened up more risks for hackers, data breaches, and malicious attacks on digital infrastructure.

Cybersecurity specialists assess, plan, and test security measures to protect a company from attacks on its computer networks and systems. They must simulate attacks to identify potential vulnerabilities, test any new software before use to help protect the company’s data, and allow users comply with new processes to ensure the network stays safe, especially now teams are working remotely.

 10. DevOps Engineer

Dev Ops is another one of those roles that you may hear a lot, but may not understand precisely what it means. DevOps engineers build, test, and maintain the tools and methodologies needed throughout software development, from coding and beyond. They’re a mix between development and IT operations teams. Where previously, software would be developed by developers then passed onto testers, and there would be back and forth until the product was ready, DevOps engineers simplify this. Hiring a DevOps engineer bridges any gap between the two teams and streamlining the process of development. They must understand customer requirements, manage development projects, and be proficient in coding themselves, overseeing updates, and testing any new software.

Over the last five years, searches for DevOps Engineers have seen a 200% growth, and currently, the role sees 60,500 searches in the US every month showing a massive surge in demand for this role.

If you’d like help sourcing and fulfilling any complex tech roles or planning recruitment strategies for the future of your business, Talent Works are experts in tech talent acquisition. With offices in Manchester, Northampton and Boston, US, we offer a global approach to sourcing tech talent, meaning we can help businesses to scale both locally and in new markets.

Our simplified and agile approach to RPO means that you can now plan for future hires and recruit when you’re ready. Contact our experts in sourcing, recruitment marketing and employer branding today to see how we can help you become an employer of choice for top tech talent.

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