The 7 tech talents your company can't afford to lose

Most people know the term "key person risk" in conjunction with top management. But it's not just the departure of managers that can cause turmoil in a company - key people exist at many levels. This also applies to software development.

In today's article, we have therefore compiled a list of "system-critical" developers and engineers who are extremely important now and in the near future. Generally speaking, such lists are never complete, but they do give you a good overview of where the journey is heading and what the critical paths are for each company. We also look at these roles in the context of IT security and refer primarily to the BSI and federal government document "The State of IT Security in Germany 2023". Let's take a look at the 7 roles that are essential for software companies.

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Tech Lead

Tech Leads are the link between management, technical teams and other departments. Their ability to master technical challenges and to lead and motivate the team is critical to the success of the project. Therefore, they are more than just technical leads. This position requires a mix of technical skills, leadership qualities and strategic thinking. Tech Leads oversee and manage all technical aspects of a project. They ensure that the team works as smoothly as possible and that the project goals are achieved. 

This also means they mentor less experienced software developers and support them in their professional development. They continuously improve the team's skills through regular code reviews and technical training.

The BSI report emphasises the increasing threat of cyberattacks. Tech Leads play a central role in implementing security protocols and ensuring that all technical systems and applications meet the highest security standards. They monitor and fix vulnerabilities to ensure that the organisation's IT infrastructure is protected against potential threats.

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Software Architect

Software architects act as the visionaries behind the technological structures of a company. They design the basic architecture of software systems and make decisions that influence the long-term scalability, flexibility, maintainability and security of the software. Their role often lays the foundation for the strategic direction and success of a company's technology.

This is what makes software architects so indispensable. Their decisions have a significant influence on the quality, scalability and efficiency of software solutions. Without their expertise, inefficient systems and high long-term costs can result.

The BSI emphasises the importance of robust vulnerability management. Software architects play a central role in the implementation of secure architectures that are armed against potential threats. They ensure that security aspects are incorporated into the design from the outset in order to minimise vulnerabilities and protect the company's IT infrastructure.

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Cloud Engineer

It is hardly surprising that global demand for the cloud remains unabated (see also Fig. 1). Some say that cloud engineers are the architects of digital transformation. This is because they create the architecture of the modern IT infrastructure of and for companies. They are responsible for planning, implementing and managing cloud solutions that offer scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency. Their expertise enables organisations to fully exploit the benefits of cloud technologies and optimise business processes. 

In other words, a technological basis plus optimisation - which is necessary to remain competitive. This is because it allows organisations to react more quickly and flexibly to changes in the market or develop innovative solutions. On the other hand, without their expertise, the situation could deteriorate - due to inefficient cloud implementations that cause high operating costs, for example. Or security risks.

And threats from cyber attacks are increasing, especially in the cloud. Cloud engineers implement security protocols and ensure that the cloud infrastructure is protected against potential threats. They continuously monitor the cloud environment and take measures to eliminate vulnerabilities and prevent security incidents.

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DevOps Engineer / DevSecOps Engineer

The market for DevOps (engineers) is developing in a similar way to the demand for the cloud. And due to this development, the demand for DevSecOps Engineers has also recently increased. In other words, DevOps + security. 

DevOps Engineers are bridge builders between development and operations. They ensure that software is provided faster and more reliably. Traditional silos are thus broken down and this type of software development has become indispensable in modern companies. DevSecOps engineers extend this role by integrating security aspects into the entire development and operations process. 

DevOps and DevSecOps Engineers therefore ensure efficiency and security in their field. Their ability to integrate and automate development and operations processes is also critical to an organisation's agility and competitiveness. DevSecOps Engineers play a central role in implementing security protocols in the development process in order to recognise and ward off attacks at an early stage. 

In the next article, we will take a closer look at the topic of DevSecOps.

Software Test Engineer

Let's stay on the subject of security. Software test engineers are indispensable because they are the last line of defence against errors and security vulnerabilities. Their work ensures that software is reliable and user-friendly. Without their expertise, undetected bugs can lead to costly problems and reputational damage. Software test engineers are therefore the guardians of quality in every development process. They are responsible for ensuring that products are ready for the market and meet high quality standards.

The BSI situation report emphasises the importance of robust vulnerability management. Software test engineers are key to identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This is another role that contributes to the security and stability of an organisation's IT infrastructure.

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Mobile App Developer

Here's another statistic: According to Statista (see Fig. 3), the global market for mobile apps is expected to reach 756 billion US dollars by 2027 - with a steady annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.58% from 2022 to 2027. And this is where mobile app developers - experts who create applications for mobile devices (e.g. for your SaaS business model) - come in. They create innovative and user-friendly mobile solutions that meet current market requirements. Their ability to develop high-quality and secure applications contributes fundamentally to the user experience and, to ensure business success. 

However, what is popular and digital is unfortunately also becoming the focus of malicious hackers. The BSI warns of increased cyber attacks on mobile devices. Mobile app developers ensure that security measures are implemented in mobile applications to protect user data and prevent attacks. The aforementioned software test engineers then test the implementation.

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Full Stack Developer

Finally, full stack developers should not be missing from our list. They are the all-rounders of software development. They master both front-end and back-end technologies and are able to develop complete applications from scratch. Their versatility makes them a valuable resource for any organisation because they have a holistic view of software development and can oversee complex projects independently. This ability to take on both front-end and back-end tasks reduces the need for multiple (specialised) developers and improves the efficiency and coherence of projects. Full stack developers are often found in SMEs due to their versatility. At the same time, communication problems and inefficiencies in the development process are reduced.

It can also offer advantages when it comes to security. The BSI report emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach to security. Full stack developers occupy the key position in implementing security measures in all layers of the application. However, a little caution is needed here - due to the scope of possible tasks of Full Stack Developers, security issues should not rest solely on the shoulders of these employees. Think of this position more as a "co-role" focussing on supervision. Here too, collaboration with Software Test Engineers makes a lot of sense.