Software Developer Hiring Trends in Reading, United Kingdom

This report was last updated on Jul 13, 2025

Bence Gedai

Founder

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 Engineer job market in United Kingdom Reading has demonstrated significant fluctuations in job openings, with a notable peak of 24 positions in week 21, contrasting with just one opening in week 27.
Currently, there are approximately 29 new job openings for Software Engineers in United Kingdom Reading, indicating a competitive landscape for hiring managers, especially amidst the unique trends observed across the tech sector.
Top employers seeking Software Engineers include Canonical (74 positions), TieTalent (56 positions), and Bending Spoons (40 positions), underscoring key recruitment opportunities for CTOs and hiring leads.
Despite 91% of positions being full-time, the demand for Mid-Senior level candidates (53% of roles) highlights the need for effective recruitment strategies to attract experienced professionals in this competitive market.
The median time to hire Software Engineers is currently 29 days, emphasizing the necessity for hiring managers to streamline their recruitment processes to secure top talent before competition intensifies.

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

The Software Engineer job market in United Kingdom Reading has recently shown dynamic fluctuations, with a notable peak in week 21, where 24 new positions were posted. This surge contrasts sharply with subsequent weeks, particularly week 27, which recorded only one new job opening. Over the same period, the number of closed roles exhibited significant activity, particularly in weeks 26 and 27, with 12 and 14 jobs closed respectively. Comparatively, other roles in the tech sector do not show such pronounced spikes, highlighting a unique trend in the demand for Software Engineers in United Kingdom Reading. This evolving landscape underscores the urgent need for effective recruitment strategies for CTOs and talent acquisition managers aiming to secure top-tier candidates amidst the shifting dynamics.

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

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Talent pool vs job openings for Software Engineers in United Kingdom

How competitive it is to hire Software Engineers in United Kingdom

The software engineers' job market trends in the United Kingdom show a challenging landscape for hiring professionals. With a significant number of job openings and a comparatively limited talent pool, the ratio indicates a tough competition for available talent. For instance, compared to the United Kingdom, countries like Germany, France, and Spain exhibit more favorable ratios of job openings to available talent, suggesting that CTOs and hiring managers may find it easier to recruit software engineers in these regions. Therefore, recruitment strategies for CTOs in the United Kingdom's tech sector need to be agile and adaptive to navigate this demanding landscape effectively. As such, hiring trends highlight not only the critical need for software developer opportunities in United Kingdom Reading but also the importance of innovative sourcing solutions amidst emerging trends in software programmer hiring across Europe.

Seniority distribution of Software Engineer job openings in Reading

Seniority Distribution of Software Engineering Jobs in Reading

In the software job market in United Kingdom Reading, the seniority distribution reveals that 53% of positions are classified as Mid-Senior level, indicating a robust demand for experienced professionals. Entry-level roles account for 34%, reflecting ongoing opportunities for newcomers to the field. Additionally, Associate positions make up 9% of the job market, suggesting a steady need for those with some experience in software development.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom's software engineering job market, the dominant employment type is full-time positions, comprising 91% of all jobs. Contract roles follow, representing 8% of the market share, while part-time roles account for 3%. These trends in hiring illustrate a strong preference for stable, long-term employment among software engineers in the region.

Time to Hire Distribution for Software in United Kingdom

How long does it take to hire Software Engineers

The recruitment landscape for Software Engineers in the United Kingdom reveals significant time to hire distribution, with a notable concentration of roles filled within the 30 to 35 days range. Specifically, 1,960 candidates secured positions within 30 days, underscoring a trend towards quicker placements in a competitive market. As hiring managers assess opportunities in the United Kingdom, particularly in Reading, they should anticipate a time frame averaging between 30 to 40 days for filling Software Developer roles. Additionally, the frequency of hires decreases sharply past 35 days, indicating that prolonged recruitment may deter potential candidates. Understanding these hiring trends is essential for CTOs and engineering leads to strategize effectively in the fast-evolving tech sector.

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Most popular cities in United Kingdom to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in United Kingdom to hire Software Engineers

In the competitive landscape of Software Engineers job openings in the United Kingdom, London stands out significantly, accounting for 92% of the total opportunities. Following London, Manchester represents 6% of the job market, while Leeds and Cambridge contribute only 1% each. This data underscores the capital's dominance in the software job market and highlights the concentration of opportunities available, making it a focal point for recruitment strategies in the tech sector.

Most sought after technologies in Reading for Software

Key technologies for Software Engineers

In analyzing the software job market trends in the United Kingdom, particularly in Reading, several technologies stand out due to their high frequency of usage among job postings. JavaScript, with a frequency of 7,682, leads as a critical skill, followed closely by Python at 8,771, underscoring its relevance in software development roles. Other prominent technologies include Java (9,703), C# (5,465), and React (5,922), indicating a strong demand for developers proficient in these areas. Additionally, TypeScript (4,567) and .NET (4,613) show a significant presence, reflecting current trends in the tech sector. The accompanying chart provides a detailed visualization of these frequency statistics, offering further insights into recruitment strategies for CTOs and hiring managers aiming to navigate the software job landscape effectively.

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