Your next job doesn’t have a title yet: Emerging role skills Q&A with Corey Hymel of Andela

Emerging roles and skill bundles in the tech industry were the focus of a recent study by Corey Hymel, head of research at Andela. To uncover these new developments, Hymel and his team analyzed nearly 50,000 job postings, looking for patterns and emerging skills that were present but not yet officially labeled as specific job titles.

The research aimed to provide data-driven insights into how AI is reshaping the tech landscape, dispelling the notion that AI will simply lead to job losses or force developers into becoming generalists. Instead, the data suggests that certain high-specificity skill bundles are forming, either as entirely new roles or as enhanced skill sets within existing roles.

One such example is the LLM application engineer, a role that combines expertise in building products on top of large language model APIs with an understanding of how to construct evaluation processes and harnesses for these models. While this role may not yet have a widely recognized title, it represents a growing need as organizations adopt and integrate large language models into their products.

Another trend identified in the data is the increasing overlap and skill requirements between traditionally distinct roles, such as front-end, back-end, and DevOps engineers. The study found that the boundaries between these roles are blurring, leading to the emergence of hybrid positions like the "front-end product engineer," which blends front-end development skills with product management responsibilities.

Hymel acknowledges that the concept of a "T-shaped" developer, characterized by deep specialization combined with broad knowledge across related areas, remains relevant. However, he notes that the data also reveals a more nuanced landscape, where skill bundles are forming that don't neatly fit into traditional T or I-shaped models.

Overall, the research underscores the rapid pace at which the tech industry is evolving, driven by advancements in AI and machine learning. While traditional job titles may lag behind these developments, the growing emphasis on niche skill bundles suggests that professionals in the field must continuously adapt and upskill to remain competitive in the job market.