After the uncertainty of 2023 and the cautious rebuild through 2024, Q2 2025 has emerged as a defining quarter for tech hiring across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK. While we haven’t seen a return to the hypergrowth of previous years, the shift is undeniable: tech talent is in demand again - but the rules of engagement have changed.
At Ocho, we work alongside some of the most forward-thinking product companies in the UK and Europe, and our conversations - daily - with hiring managers and candidates give us a clear view of where the market is now and where it’s heading.
Here’s our breakdown of the current landscape - and what we expect as we head into Q3.
Q2 2025: A Measured but Meaningful Rebound
🔹 Hiring Momentum Returns—Cautiously
Across the UK and Ireland, hiring is on the up - particularly within engineering, cloud infrastructure, data, and DevOps. However, growth is intentional, not reactive.
-
Product companies and scale-ups are leading the charge, focusing on sustainable growth and long-term team building.
-
Contract roles, which spiked during periods of hiring hesitation, are levelling out - more permanent opportunities are back on the table, especially in Belfast and Dublin.
🔹 Lisbon and Barcelona Still in Focus - But the UK/Ireland Talent Pool Isn’t Being Overlooked
Nearshoring and hybrid European teams remain attractive, but local hiring is regaining appeal—particularly for engineering leads, staff-level roles, and hybrid product functions.
-
We’re seeing UK and Ireland-based candidates being prioritised again - especially where team cohesion and client proximity matter.
-
Remote-first is still common, but hybrid expectations are increasing slightly, especially for leadership roles.
🔹 Candidate Confidence Creeps Up
After 18 months of “wait and see”, candidates are back in market - but they’re selective.
-
Top talent is more open to conversations but isn’t making moves lightly.
-
Salary expectations remain high, especially given inflation and increased living costs, but benefits and flexibility are equally important.
Regional Snapshots: Q2 2025 Trends
📍 Northern Ireland
-
Belfast remains competitive, especially for mid-to-senior software engineers, DevOps, and platform roles.
-
We’re seeing growing interest in AI/ML roles - both from candidates reskilling and employers experimenting.
-
A few stealth-mode start-ups are starting to hire quietly - a positive sign for Q3-Q4 investment confidence.
📍 Republic of Ireland
-
Dublin is stable with strong hiring in fintech, healthtech, and AI.
-
VC-backed scale-ups are hiring again - but focusing on efficiency over expansion.
-
Regional hubs like Galway and Cork are seeing increased remote work opportunities, giving talent outside the capital a fairer shot.
📍 UK (London, Manchester, Edinburgh)
-
London remains the UK’s tech epicentre, but more firms are building distributed teams to tap into talent across NI, Scotland, and the North.
-
Cloud, data science, and cybersecurity roles are consistently in demand.
-
Economic confidence is improving, but hiring is strategic, not speculative.
What to Expect in Q3 2025
🔮 1. Leadership & Specialist Roles Will Dominate
-
Companies are thinking long-term again and investing in the right senior hires - from Site Leads to Staff Engineers and Technical Product Managers.
-
Expect high competition for technical leadership roles, especially those tied to new site builds or product expansions.
🔮 2. Talent Shortages Will Resurface
-
With confidence returning, many companies are hiring at the same time, and niche skill sets will be hard to find quickly.
-
Candidates with short notice periods or immediate availability will have an edge - something we’re supporting through our Ocho Available Now platform.
🔮 3. Employer Branding Will Matter More Than Ever
-
In a market where candidates are picking roles, not just accepting offers, your employer brand, hiring experience, and onboarding plan need to shine.
-
Companies that lead with transparency, values, and flexibility will attract the best talent - even in a competitive space.
How Ocho Can Help
At Ocho, we’re not just tracking market trends - we’re helping shape them. From supporting R&D expansions in Lisbon to placing mission-critical hires in Belfast and Dublin, we know what works.
Whether you’re:
-
Scaling up across borders
-
Hiring your next engineering lead
-
Or looking to make your next career move…
We’re here with honest advice, market insight, and a network that delivers.
Let’s Talk Talent.
Get in touch with the team at Ocho today to make your Q3 plans count.
