7 Tech Giants Are Doubling Down on Entry-Level Engineers - Here's Why

While some may be reluctant to hire junior developers, others are doubling down on the talent pool.

Breaking into the tech job market has never been more challenging, especially for entry-level software engineers. With AI automating many tasks that were once handled by junior workers, some companies have scaled back early-career hiring due to economic concerns or uncertainty about AI's impact.

However, a surprising trend is emerging: several major tech companies are actually expanding their entry-level engineering programs, recognizing the unique value that new graduates bring to the table.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is planning to expand its entry-level engineering internship program by 40% compared to the previous year. Erin Scruggs, vice president and head of global talent acquisition, explained that the company is "working closely with our engineering leaders to keep investing in early-career talent, especially engineers who are AI-native and bring a builder mindset." The company aims to adjust its hiring mix to create more opportunities for the next generation of engineers.

IBM

IBM is making a bold move by tripling its entry-level hiring in 2026, including in software engineering. Nickle LaMoreaux, chief human resources officer at IBM, emphasized that talent professionals need to "rewrite every job" and communicate the value of entry-level workers. She noted that while AI can handle many tasks that entry-level workers did a few years ago, today's developers are using AI assistance for coding and testing while also building new products, gathering client feedback, and collaborating with marketing teams. LaMoreaux predicts that "the companies three to five years from now that are going to be the most successful are those companies that doubled down on entry-level hiring in this environment."

Cognizant

The IT-services company Cognizant is quadrupling its pipeline of entry-level talent, with plans to hire up to 2,000 early-career professionals by the end of the year. Kathy Diaz, chief people officer at Cognizant, stated that "Cognizant believes early-in-career talent have a competitive edge in this dynamic moment as AI-natives and lifelong learners." The company offers various workforce development programs, including its Fusion Internship program, to support these candidates.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare announced plans to hire 1,111 interns in 2026, a significant increase from its previous 60-person program. The company aims to "train the next generation of technology leaders" by providing hands-on experience and mentorship. Interns will work on projects that impact millions of internet users, from securing network infrastructure to developing cutting-edge server-less applications. Cloudflare also noted that "without hiring emerging talent, industries risk a critical shortage of experienced workers in the future."

Dropbox

Dropbox is expanding its internship and new-graduate programs by 25% to capitalize on younger workers' AI fluency. Melanie Rosenwasser, chief people officer at Dropbox, compared entry-level workers' AI skills to "biking in the Tour de France, and the rest of us still have training wheels." This expansion includes engineering hires, highlighting the company's commitment to leveraging the AI proficiency of new graduates.

ThreatLocker

Cybersecurity firm ThreatLocker plans to nearly double its headcount to 1,200 employees over the next 18 months, with a significant number of those hires being entry-level. The company maintains rigorous training standards for engineers at every level to reflect the real pressure of defending critical systems. Additionally, ThreatLocker offers a free, in-person, 60-hour cybersecurity bootcamp for college students and recent graduates.

Invisible Technologies

Invisible Technologies, an AI software platform for businesses, has hired 160 engineers in the past 18 months, with roughly half being entry-level or junior. CEO Matt Fitzpatrick noted that entry-level engineers are "some of the most thoughtful about using gen AI, because they've grown up using this in their schooling." He described the entry-level talent pool as "incredibly proficient" and "more useful than ever."

This shift in hiring strategy highlights a growing recognition among tech leaders that entry-level engineers bring valuable AI fluency and fresh perspectives to the workplace. As companies navigate the evolving job landscape, those investing in junior talent may be positioning themselves for long-term success.