The Benelux, DACH and US tech markets are entering a year defined by regulation, innovation and accelerated adoption of AI, cloud and embedded technologies.

Demand is shifting, skills requirements are evolving, and organisations are preparing for significant transformation across 2026. Below, we outline the key regional trends and where hiring demand is expected to grow.

Benelux

AI-Driven Transformation Accelerates

Belgium and the Netherlands continue to invest heavily in AI. Companies are adopting AI-enabled tools for analytics, automation and decision-making, increasing hiring needs across AI, machine learning and data operations as organisations look to improve efficiency and capability.

Cloud Growth and Cybersecurity Investment

Cloud migration remains a priority, with workloads shifting to public, private and hybrid environments. Cybersecurity had a breakout year and is expected to remain a top investment area in 2026, particularly across highly regulated sectors.

Regulation and Freelance Market Changes in the Netherlands

Increased regulatory demands in healthcare, finance and government are driving more compliance and security-led projects. Proposed DBA rule changes scheduled for July 2026 may provide clearer guidance for freelancers, increasing confidence and stability in the contract market.

DACH

NIS2 Expands Cybersecurity Obligations

Germany has implemented NIS2, expanding the number of affected organisations to around 30,000. This is driving demand for stronger ISMS frameworks, risk assessments, governance, incident response planning and supply-chain security across both critical and non-critical sectors.

Embedded and Industrial Technology Growth

The DACH region is seeing strong growth across industrial automation, healthcare devices, 5G-enabled systems, smart energy solutions and consumer IoT. Smart factories, medical IoT and edge computing are driving sustained demand for advanced embedded platforms.

Germany’s embedded software market is gaining momentum after a mixed year. Valued at USD 1.17 billion in 2024, it is projected to reach USD 1.91 billion by 2030, reflecting long-term demand across automotive, industrial, aerospace and defence sectors.

Rising Demand for Specialised Engineering Talent

Organisations are prioritising secure embedded platforms, low-power systems and AI-enabled automation. Key roles include embedded software engineers, connectivity specialists, firmware developers, hardware design engineers and embedded cybersecurity experts.

While automotive remains the largest driver, growth is expanding into wider industrial sectors. Aerospace and defence recruitment is increasing due to safety-critical and advanced systems projects, with demand for engineers experienced in complex, high-reliability environments.

Specialist skills such as embedded Linux, real-time operating systems, functional safety and cybersecurity are becoming essential as systems increase in complexity.

United States

Cloud and Hybrid Infrastructure Become Standard

US organisations continue to migrate from on-premise systems to cloud and hybrid environments. Demand remains strong for professionals who can architect, migrate and manage AWS, Azure and GCP platforms.

AI and Data Workloads Reshape Infrastructure

AI, machine learning and big data adoption are redefining infrastructure requirements. Teams must support GPU compute, real-time processing, scalable storage and secure hybrid estates capable of handling increased workloads.

Skills-First Hiring Gains Momentum

Employers are placing greater emphasis on proven skills over traditional degrees. Cloud engineering, automation, DevOps and network security lead hiring priorities, supported by soft skills such as adaptability, collaboration and clear communication.

Security and Automation Drive Projects

Cloud security, identity and access management, zero-trust principles, threat detection and compliance remain key investment areas. Automation, CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code continue to support efficient, resilient delivery.

Summary

Across the US, Benelux and DACH regions, 2026 will be shaped by regulatory change, deeper AI adoption and continued investment in cloud, cybersecurity and embedded technologies. Demand is increasing for highly specialised technical talent, with organisations prioritising skills that support secure, scalable and resilient systems. Hiring strategies are shifting towards expertise, adaptability and long-term capability as businesses move from experimentation to execution.

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