Software Engineering Careers in 2025: The Software Skills UK Employers Are Hiring For

The UK software engineering job market is evolving fast. In 2025, it's not just about writing great code; it’s about having the right blend of technical skills, adaptability, and domain knowledge to meet growing industry demands.

At Platform Recruitment, we speak to hiring managers and candidates across the UK every day. We've identified a distinct shift in what employers are prioritising in their software teams. Whether you're a hiring manager seeking top talent or a developer ready to take your next step, this blog outlines the most in-demand software skills for 2025 and how you can stay ahead.

Looking for your next software role or hiring a specialist to grow your team? Browse our live roles or upload your CV today at Platform Recruitment.

Why Software Skills Are Shifting in 2025

The demand for skilled software engineers in the UK remains high. According to Tech Nation and ONS data, software development continues to be one of the top 3 most in-demand roles in the tech sector.
 

But what's changed is what employers are looking for:

• Rapid adoption of AI and automation tools
• Increased need for data integration
• Emphasis on cloud-native development
• Security and compliance becoming non-negotiable
• Agile, cross-functional collaboration over siloed working
   

These shifts are reflected in job descriptions and placement patterns across the UK.

Top 7 In-Demand Software Skills in the UK (2025 Edition)

1. Cloud-Native Development (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Cloud skills have become essential. 7 out of 10 of our software clients now specify cloud experience as a requirement.

For Candidates: Focus on containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), serverless architecture, and CI/CD pipelines in the cloud.

For Employers: Prioritise engineers with real deployment experience in AWS or Azure, not just certification.
 

2. AI & Machine Learning Integration

As more UK firms embed AI into their platforms, there’s a growing need for engineers who understand how to integrate ML models into production.

For Candidates: Experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, or OpenAI APIs is highly sought after.

For Employers: Engineers who can work cross-functionally with data scientists and ML engineers are gold.
 

3. Cybersecurity Awareness & Secure Coding Practices

With growing cyber threats, secure coding is no longer optional - even for front-end devs.

For Candidates: Understanding of OWASP Top 10, secure authentication, and data privacy regulations (GDPR) is key.

For Employers: Building security-first development cultures improves product integrity and reduces remediation costs.
 

4. Proficiency in Modern Programming Languages

While Python, JavaScript, and Java remain staples, employers are increasingly looking for experience in languages like Go, Rust, and TypeScript.

For Candidates: Highlight projects where you’ve used modern tools/languages. Employers love engineers who keep learning.

For Employers: Consider polyglot developers who can pick up new languages quickly rather than sticking to legacy stacks.
 

5. DevOps and Automation Mindset

DevOps isn’t a role - it’s a culture. Engineers with automation skills are more productive and reduce downtime.

For Candidates: Experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions), infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible), and observability tools are major assets.

For Employers: Seek developers who champion test automation and performance monitoring.
 

6. API Design & Integration

Modern software is about interoperability. API expertise is crucial for scalable products.

For Candidates: RESTful and GraphQL API design, Postman testing, and third-party integration experience should be in your portfolio.

For Employers: API fluency helps reduce delivery timelines and technical debt.
 

7. Soft Skills & Team Collaboration

The most technical developer can still miss out if they can’t communicate.

For Candidates: Agile collaboration, mentoring juniors, and stakeholder engagement all matter.

For Employers: Soft skills improve team retention, knowledge sharing, and client satisfaction.
 

Bonus Insight: Sector-Specific Skill Trends

Here’s what we’re seeing from Platform Recruitment placements in 2024 going into 2025:

• Fintech: Strong demand for TypeScript/Node engineers with high-performance backend experience.
• MedTech: Python and cloud skills combined with GDPR and regulatory knowledge.
• Industrial IoT: C++/Python engineers with embedded systems experience and cloud data integration.
• Startups: Full-stack JavaScript developers (React, Node.js) with DevOps experience.

Tips for Job Seekers: How to Stay Competitive

1. Upskill in your own time

   • Take short courses in trending tools (Kubernetes, OpenAI, TypeScript)

   • Add certifications (AWS Certified Developer, Google Cloud Professional)

2. Tailor your CV to each job

   • Use keywords from the job description

   • Showcase measurable achievements, not just responsibilities

3. Engage in open-source or freelance projects

   • Demonstrate real-world impact

   • Gain cross-industry experience

4. Use your recruiter

   • We often have roles not yet advertised online

   • We can offer honest CV feedback, salary benchmarks, and interview prep

Tips for Employers: How to Attract Top Software Talent

1. Be transparent in job ads

   • Include salary ranges, tech stacks, hybrid policies, and growth opportunities

2. Streamline your interview process

   • Top candidates drop out when processes drag on

   • Aim for 2-3 stages with quick feedback

3. Offer training & development

   • Top engineers want to keep learning. Upskilling budgets or time for R&D boosts retention.

4. Work with a specialist recruiter

   • At Platform, we know the software talent pool. We’ll help you identify candidates with the right blend of skills and cultural fit.

The Software Engineering Outlook in the UK: 2025 and Beyond

With the UK’s tech sector projected to grow 5.4% in 2025 (Tech Nation), demand for versatile, well-rounded software engineers is only set to rise. From enterprise IT firms in Manchester to AI startups in Cambridge, companies are competing for talent who can code and collaborate.

As software teams adopt more AI tools and cloud-native frameworks, roles will evolve. Expect developers to play more cross-functional roles, blurring the lines between backend, data, and infrastructure.

Stay Future-Ready

Whether you’re a software engineer looking for your next challenge or a business building your tech team, the key to success in 2025 lies in adaptability. Embracing modern tools, collaborative working, and continuous learning will put you ahead of the curve.

Explore our live roles in software engineering or upload your CV today at Platform Recruitment.

Our team is ready to help you match your skills with the right opportunity.