Agency Partners

Software Developer Hiring Trends in France

This report was last updated on Jul 12, 2025

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

  • The software job market in France is witnessing significant fluctuations, with a peak of 2,348 new software developer positions opened recently and a notably large number of positions closed, signaling a robust demand for talent.
  • France's software engineering job market features a diverse seniority distribution, with 37% of roles aimed at Entry-level candidates, 34% for Mid-Senior level professionals, and 19% for Associate roles, necessitating targeted recruitment strategies for various experience levels.
  • Key technological skills are in high demand, with Java, Python, and JavaScript leading as essential proficiencies employers are seeking, highlighting the critical areas where hiring managers must focus their talent acquisition strategies.
  • Paris dominates the job market, representing 62% of all software engineer job openings in France, followed by Nice and Lyon, underscoring the importance of localized recruitment efforts in top urban centers.
  • The median time to hire for Software Engineers in France is 33 days, indicating a competitive hiring landscape where expedient recruitment practices are crucial for securing top talent before competitors can.
Number of roles opened and closed for Software Engineers in France in the last 3 months

Number of roles opened and closed for Software Engineers in France in the last 3 months

The software engineering job market in France has demonstrated notable fluctuations over the past 12 weeks, with a peak of 2,348 new software developer positions opened in week 21. In stark contrast, the number of positions closed has consistently exceeded openings in the following weeks, notably reaching 1,304 closed jobs in week 23. This creates a cumulative opportunity gap, reflecting a robust demand for software developers not only in France but also compared to neighboring European countries where similar trends have been observed. Hiring managers in the tech sector, particularly CTOs and Engineering Managers, should leverage this data to refine their recruitment strategies and address the competitive landscape effectively.

Who else is hiring for software Engineers in France:

Company name Country Industry Founded # Job openings
Canonical logo Canonical United Kingdom Information Technology & Services 2004 199
Bending Spoons logo Bending Spoons Italy Information Technology & Services 2013 140
Fédération Française de Natation logo Fédération Française de Natation France Sports null 102
Colisée France logo Colisée France France Hospital & Health Care 1989 67
Kicklox logo Kicklox France Information Technology & Services 2015 54
Davidson consulting logo Davidson consulting France Management Consulting 2005 52
Thales logo Thales France Information Technology & Services 1893 48
Extia logo Extia France Information Technology & Services 2007 47
Alan logo Alan France Insurance 2016 45
TieTalent logo TieTalent Switzerland Information Technology & Services 2017 43

Here are a few specialized software agencies you can trust:

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Talent pool vs job openings for Software Engineers in France

How competitive it is to hire Software Engineers in France

The software engineer job market in Europe presents varying levels of difficulty when it comes to talent acquisition. In France, the ratio of available talent to job openings suggests a tighter labor market, making it challenging for hiring managers to secure qualified candidates. Comparatively, countries like Germany and Poland exhibit a more favorable ratio, indicating an easier hire, while the Netherlands reflects a similar struggle to France. With the recruitment strategies for CTOs in France's tech sector requiring careful consideration, it becomes essential to evaluate software developer opportunities against these trends in hiring senior software developers across Europe.

Seniority distribution of Software Engineer job openings in France

Seniority Distribution of Software Engineering Jobs in France

In the French software engineering job market, the seniority distribution reveals a vibrant landscape for hiring managers. The largest segment comprises Entry-level positions, accounting for 37% of available roles. Following closely, Mid-Senior level opportunities represent 34% of the market, while Associate roles make up 19%. This data underscores the demand for both junior talent and experienced professionals, highlighting the need for targeted recruitment strategies in France's tech sector.

Chart about preferred employment type for Engineering roles in France

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in France

Within the software engineering job market in France, the predominant employment type is full-time positions, accounting for 95% of the total roles. This is followed by internships, representing 5% of available jobs, and contract positions, which make up a smaller share at 5%. These employment type distributions provide valuable insights for hiring managers seeking to navigate recruitment strategies for CTOs in France's tech sector.

Time to Hire Distribution for Software in France

How long does it take to hire Software Engineers

The time to hire distribution for Software jobs in France indicates a competitive landscape for companies seeking talent. Notably, the largest segment, comprising 1,976 hires, occurs within the 30-day timeframe, reflecting the urgency in filling Software Engineer positions. Following closely, the next prominent time slots are at 25 days with 1,235 counts and 15 days with 1,062 counts, highlighting the demand for quick recruitment strategies. As such, hiring managers, including CTOs and Engineering Managers, should be prepared for an expedited hiring process of less than a month to secure top candidates in the evolving tech sector. Overall, these insights illustrate the crucial need for effective recruitment strategies tailored to meet the swift hiring trends prevalent in the software job market in France.

Most popular cities in France to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in France to hire Software Engineers

The distribution of Software Engineer job openings in France reveals a significant concentration in key urban centers. Paris leads the market with 62% of the job openings, totaling 3,114 positions. Following Paris, Nice accounts for 29% with 1,489 openings, while Lyon holds 15% with 750 opportunities. These figures highlight the capital's dominance in the software job market, emphasizing the need for targeted recruitment strategies in these cities.

Most sought after technologies in France for Software

Key technologies for Software Engineers

In the dynamic landscape of the software job market in France, certain technologies are prevalent among employers seeking top talent. Notably, JavaScript leads the way with a frequency of 7,682, making it a critical skill for software developers. Following closely is Python, which boasts a frequency of 8,771, reflecting its robust demand across various sectors. Java also remains a significant player with a frequency of 9,703, highlighting its continued relevance in enterprise solutions. Additionally, C# and React are vital technologies, with frequencies of 5,465 and 5,922 respectively, indicative of their importance in modern development frameworks. For a visual representation, please refer to the accompanying chart showcasing these trends.

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