TL;DR
A UK-based software engineer with more than a decade of experience says they have been unable to secure a good remote role for an extended period. They argue traditional engineering skills are less prized as AI agents produce boilerplate code and urge peers to pivot toward prompt engineering, data modeling and business-aligned work.
What happened
A self-described software engineer with 10+ years in the field posted about an extended period of difficulty finding a satisfactory remote role. The writer, who lists commercial experience with Ruby on Rails, Node.js, TypeScript and Go, suggested that domain-agnostic, traditional software engineering competencies are becoming less valuable as AI agents increasingly handle routine code generation. Using an analogy to tool-and-die making in manufacturing, the poster compared the need to evolve skill sets—just as a toolmaker might learn 3D modeling and additive manufacturing—to software engineers needing to adopt prompt engineering and data modeling tied to business use cases. They say generalist niche skills that once commanded high salaries may be harder to monetize today and recommend adopting an entrepreneurial mindset focused on speed, accuracy and business relevance. The post ends with a plea for others’ experiences and advice.
Why it matters
- If routine code generation becomes more automated, demand for certain engineering tasks could shift toward higher-level, business-facing skills.
- Engineers may need to broaden or change their skill sets to remain competitive, emphasizing roles that AI is less likely to replace.
- Remote hiring patterns and employer priorities may not favor the same mix of generalist technical skills that were valued previously.
- A focus on domain knowledge and aligning technical work with business outcomes could become more important in hiring decisions.
Key facts
- The author reports having more than 10 years of software engineering experience.
- They list commercial experience with Ruby/Rails, Node.js, TypeScript and Golang.
- They are based in the UK and say they have been struggling to secure a good remote role for an extended period.
- The author argues AI agents can reproduce boilerplate code, reducing the appeal of traditional software engineering skills.
- They use an analogy comparing software engineering to tool-and-die making and its transition to additive manufacturing.
- The poster recommends upskilling to prompt engineering and data modeling tied to business use cases.
- They describe themselves as hardworking, able to execute strongly and capable of handling management functions.
- The post expresses concern that increasingly niche generalist skills may no longer command previously high salaries.
What to watch next
- Demand for roles focused on AI prompt engineering and data modeling — not confirmed in the source
- Whether employers shift hiring priorities toward business-aligned technical skills — not confirmed in the source
- Remote hiring opportunities for experienced UK-based engineers compared to previous years — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Tool-and-die making: A manufacturing trade that designs and builds tools, dies and specialized machinery used to produce parts and components at scale.
- Additive manufacturing: A production process that builds objects by adding material layer by layer, commonly known as 3D printing.
- Prompt engineering: The practice of designing and refining inputs to AI systems to produce desired outputs effectively and reliably.
- Data modeling: The process of creating structured representations of data and its relationships to support storage, analysis and application needs.
Reader FAQ
Is the author unemployed?
The author says they have been struggling to secure a good remote role for an extended period; specific employment status is not detailed.
Does the author think AI is replacing software engineers?
They argue AI agents can regurgitate boilerplate code and that this reduces demand for some traditional engineering skills.
What skills does the author recommend learning?
They recommend prompt engineering and data modeling and advise focusing on faster, business-relevant execution.
Is this trend confirmed as widespread?
Not confirmed in the source.
Domain-specific knowledge, having no relation to software engineering per se, is a necessary skill set. The best analogy I can find, if not a tired one, is the equivalence of…
Sources
- I'm having the worst career winter of my life
- Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton's 2026 warning
- Impact of AI on the 2025 Software Engineering Job Market
- AI Is Reshaping The Job Market: How Professionals Can …
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