AI was supposed to kill engineering jobs, but new data suggests they’re the most resilient

SignalFire's analysis has identified engineering as the most resilient job function in 2025, contradicting predictions that AI would eliminate many engineering roles. The venture capital firm's data shows that early-stage startups hired 7% more engineers in 2025 compared to 2019, indicating robust demand in that segment.

The 7% hiring increase by early-stage startups is notable given the widespread deployment of AI coding tools. SignalFire's findings suggest that these startups are still prioritizing human engineers, possibly for tasks involving system design, debugging, and integration.

The analysis focuses on early-stage startups and does not cover hiring at larger technology companies. The results provide a counterpoint to fears of widespread engineering unemployment, indicating that while AI may change the nature of engineering work, demand for engineers remains strong in certain sectors.