Software Developer Hiring Trends in Cambridge, United Kingdom

This report was last updated on Jul 13, 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 Engineers job market trends in the United Kingdom, particularly in Cambridge, indicate a dynamic landscape with a talent pool that necessitates strategic hiring approaches.
Over the last 12 weeks, the number of software developer roles in Cambridge has fluctuated, peaking at 34 openings in week 20, yet also facing closures as high as 21 positions in week 27.
Key technologies driving demand in the software job market include JavaScript, Python, and Java, highlighting essential skills that hiring managers should prioritize when evaluating candidates.
A notable 64% of software engineering job openings in Cambridge are targeted at Mid-Senior level professionals, indicating a strong demand for experienced talent amidst a competitive hiring environment.
With a median time to hire of 29 days, hiring managers in Cambridge must be prepared for an expedited recruitment process to secure top talent in a market characterized by high competition.

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

The Software Engineers job market trends in United Kingdom Cambridge reveal a fluctuating yet resilient landscape. Over the last 12 weeks, the number of software developer roles opened weekly peaked at 34 in week 20, indicating a robust hiring phase. However, this period also saw significant job closures, with a high of 21 positions closed in week 27, showcasing a dynamic environment where software developer opportunities in United Kingdom Cambridge are continually being reassessed. Compared to other roles in the region and across Europe, the hiring trends for Senior Software Developers appear to be more volatile, highlighting the need for focused recruitment strategies for CTOs navigating this sector.

Who else is hiring for software Engineers in United Kingdom:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	74
TieTalent	Switzerland	Information Technology & Services	2017	56
Bending Spoons	Italy	Information Technology & Services	2013	40
targetjobs UK	null	null	null	29
Mindrift	United States	Information Technology & Services	null	27
Arm	United Kingdom	Semiconductors	1990	26
JPMorganChase	United States	Financial Services	null	23
Oliver Bernard	United Kingdom	Staffing & Recruiting	2010	22
GRAYCE	United Kingdom	Management Consulting	2012	21
Amazon	United States	Information Technology & Services	1994	21

Here are a few specialized software agencies you can trust:

Want to get personalized matches? Get started

Talent pool vs job openings for Software Engineers in United Kingdom

How competitive it is to hire Software Engineers in United Kingdom

The competition for Software Engineers in the United Kingdom, particularly in Cambridge, appears to be intense. With a considerable number of job openings juxtaposed against a relatively limited talent pool, the ratio indicates challenges in recruiting skilled professionals. In comparison, countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands exhibit varied landscapes, where job openings and talent availability suggest differing hiring dynamics. The high demand for Software Developers across Europe further complicates the recruitment strategies for CTOs and Engineering Managers in the UK, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to attract top talent amidst a competitive environment.

Seniority distribution of Software Engineer job openings in Cambridge

Seniority Distribution of Software Engineering Jobs in Cambridge

In the software job market in United Kingdom Cambridge, the seniority distribution reveals notable trends that are crucial for hiring managers. Approximately 64% of available positions are for Mid-Senior level Software Engineers, followed by 24% for Entry level roles, and 12% for Associates. This distribution underscores the growing demand for experienced talent while also indicating opportunities for entry-level candidates.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

The software engineering job market in the United Kingdom, particularly in Cambridge, reveals that full-time positions dominate, constituting 91% of the employment type distribution. Contract roles follow, making up 8% of the market, while part-time opportunities account for 3%. This data underscores the preference for stable, long-term engagements in the tech sector, which is crucial for hiring managers strategizing in the competitive software job market.

Time to Hire Distribution for Software in United Kingdom

How long does it take to hire Software Engineers

The distribution of time to hire for Software Engineer positions in the United Kingdom reveals significant insights into the job market. The majority of candidates are hired within a 30 to 50-day timeframe, with 1,960 positions taking 30 days and 368 taking 50 days. This indicates that hiring managers should plan for an average time to hire that reflects these trends. Notably, the demand spikes around the 25 to 35-day mark, emphasizing the need for recruitment strategies that capitalize on this peak period. For CTOs and engineering leaders, understanding these hiring trends is crucial for effectively navigating the fast-paced software job market in locations such as Cambridge.

Expolore reports from other European Developer talent pools

Insights for hiring Software Engineers in Cambridge

The Software Engineers job market trends in the United Kingdom, particularly in Cambridge, indicate a dynamic landscape with a talent pool that necessitates strategic hiring approaches.

View Report

Insights for hiring Software Engineers in Sibiu

Over the past 12 weeks, the software engineering job market in Romania's Sibiu region demonstrated a positive net job creation trend, with a total of 38 new openings and 30 closures.

View Report

Insights for hiring Scala Engineers in Rotterdam

The Software Scala Engineers job market in Netherlands Rotterdam is characterized by a total of 722 job openings, representing 12% of the overall market, indicating a robust demand for Software Scala Developers.

View Report

View All Job Reports

Most popular cities in United Kingdom to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in United Kingdom to hire Software Engineers

In the United Kingdom, the software job market reveals a significant concentration in key cities. London leads with 5989 job openings, accounting for 58% of the total, followed by Manchester with 587 openings, representing 6%. Cambridge, with 316 openings, holds 3% of the market share, emphasizing its role as an emerging hub for software development talent. This data is visually represented in the accompanying chart.

Most sought after technologies in Cambridge for Software

Key technologies for Software Engineers

In the dynamic software job market in United Kingdom Cambridge, certain technologies stand out due to their prevalence among job postings. JavaScript leads the way with a frequency of 7,682, making it a critical skill for software developers. Following closely is Python, reported at 8,771, indicating its strong demand across various industries. Java, with a frequency of 9,703, remains vital for enterprise-level applications. The C# language is also notable, coming in at 5,465. Additionally, the React framework, which is fundamental for modern web development, appears frequently with 5,922 mentions. For a more visually detailed breakdown, refer to the accompanying chart.

Have a great project in mind?

We've identified 100+ world-class agencies, drop us a line if you'd like to work with them.