The latest Executive Perspectives on Top Risks survey from Protiviti reveals a growing concern among business leaders: the ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent ranks as one of the highest risks in 2024, with implications extending into 2034.
This issue is more pressing than ever, particularly in the tech sector, where a staggering 95% of managers report significant challenges in finding skilled talent. It's not a new problem, but its persistence is alarming, and technology executives are increasingly worried about the potential impacts on their organizations.
Research from Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report further underscores the urgency of this issue. A significant 69% of technology managers expressed their desire to expand their teams in the first half of this year, driven primarily by the need to support company growth and address critical skill gaps within their teams. Additionally, many cited the necessity to combat employee turnover as a crucial motivator for ramping up hiring efforts.
The need to identify and secure the available talent pools quickly and efficiently is more critical than ever. The challenges are clear, but so are the opportunities for those who can navigate this complex environment with strategic foresight and empathetic leadership.
Let us know what are the top 10 tech talent in demand in the year 2024
1. Systems Security Manager
Role: A Systems Security Manager oversees an organization's cybersecurity strategy, including implementing and managing security protocols, monitoring security systems, and responding to security incidents.
Expectations: Organizations expect candidates to have a strong background in cybersecurity, experience in managing security teams, knowledge of the latest security threats and technologies, and the ability to develop and enforce security policies.
Certifications: Key certifications that can enhance a candidate's profile include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
Average Salary: $167,750
2. Network/Cloud Architect
Role: A Network/Cloud Architect designs and implements an organization's network infrastructure, including cloud-based solutions. They ensure the network is scalable, secure, and aligned with business objectives.
Expectations: Candidates should have expertise in network design, cloud computing, and security, along with experience in managing complex IT environments. They should also be skilled in vendor management and have strong problem-solving abilities.
Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and Google Professional Cloud Architect are some of the top certifications that can help in this role.
Average Salary: $165,750
3. Applications Architect
Role: An Applications Architect is responsible for designing and managing the architecture of software applications. They ensure that applications are scalable, reliable, and meet the needs of the business.
Expectations: Organizations look for candidates with deep knowledge of software development, architecture frameworks, and experience in leading application development projects. Strong analytical and communication skills are also crucial.
Certifications: Beneficial certifications include TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), Certified Software Architect (CSA), and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
Average Salary: $163,250
4. IT Director
Role: An IT Director oversees the entire IT department, ensuring that IT strategies align with business goals. They manage IT operations, budgets, and staff and are involved in strategic planning for technology adoption.
Expectations: Candidates should have extensive experience in IT management, leadership skills, and the ability to align IT with business objectives. A strong understanding of technology trends and the ability to manage large teams is appreciated.
Certifications: Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), ITIL Master, and Project Management Professional (PMP) can be valuable in this role.
Average Salary: $161,250
5. ERP Integration Manager
Role: An ERP Integration Manager leads the integration of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems within an organization. They ensure that different software systems work together seamlessly to support business operations.
Expectations: Candidates should have experience in ERP systems, project management, and business process analysis. They should have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with different departments.
Certifications: Relevant certifications include SAP Certified Technology Associate, Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), and Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals.
Average Salary: $153,250
6. Big Data Engineer
Role: A Big Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure required for big data processing. They ensure that data pipelines are scalable, reliable, and efficient.
Expectations: Organizations expect candidates to have expertise in big data technologies, data warehousing, and programming languages like Python and Java. Experience in working with large datasets and cloud platforms is also crucial.
Certifications: Certifications Cloudera Certified Professional (CCP): Data Engineer, Google Professional Data Engineer, and AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty are highly appreciated.
Average Salary: $149,500
7. Data Security Analyst
Role: A Data Security Analyst protects an organization's data from unauthorized access, breaches, and other security threats. They monitor and respond to security incidents and work on improving data security measures.
Expectations: Candidates should have a strong background in cybersecurity, knowledge of data protection laws and regulations, and experience in security analysis tools and techniques. Attention to detail and analytical skills are also essential.
Certifications: Useful certifications include Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
Average Salary: $147,500
8. Data Scientist
Role: A Data Scientist analyzes large data sets to extract meaningful insights to help an organization make data-driven decisions. They use statistical and machine-learning techniques to model data.
Expectations: Organizations expect candidates to have strong analytical and programming skills, experience in statistical analysis and machine learning, and the ability to communicate complex findings to non-technical stakeholders.
Certifications: Beneficial certifications include Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate.
Average Salary: $144,250
9. DevOps Engineer
Role: A DevOps Engineer bridges the gap between development and IT operations by automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle. They work to improve deployment speed, system reliability, and security.
Expectations: Candidates should have experience in software development, system administration, and automation tools. They should also be skilled in continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices and cloud services.
Certifications: Key certifications for this role include AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), and Docker Certified Associate (DCA).
Average Salary: $140,250
10. Network Security Engineer
Role: A Network Security Engineer protects an organization's network infrastructure from security threats. They implement security measures, monitor network traffic, and respond to security incidents.
Expectations: Organizations expect candidates to have a strong background in network security, experience with firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems, and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve security issues.
Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, and CompTIA Security+ are valuable in this role.
Average Salary: $140,000
India - the premier destination to find the top tech talent
Due to several compelling factors, India is a premier destination for sourcing tech talent. With a vast pool of English-speaking, highly-educated tech professionals, the country is consistently the leader in providing skilled IT workers and engineers to the global market.
The Indian government's strategic investments in accelerator programs strengthen the talent pool and enhance the nation's status as a technology hub. These initiatives have spurred significant growth in India's startup ecosystem, which is now thriving and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The convergence of these elements—an abundant, skilled workforce, government support, and a dynamic startup environment—has created an increasingly favorable landscape for companies seeking top-tier technology talent. This combination of expertise, ambition, and supportive infrastructure makes India a go-to destination for organizations looking to strengthen their technological capabilities and drive their digital transformation efforts.
And, with all the above advantages, the cost factor is a cherry on the top!
Here’s a comparison of mid-level seniority roles and their pay in the US and India
Job | Mid-senior level In the US | Mid-senior level In India |
Systems security manager | $167,750 | |
Network/cloud architect | $165,750 | |
Applications architect | $163,250 | $29,537 |
IT director | $161,250 | |
ERP integration manager | $153,250 | |
Big data engineer | $149,500 | $15,603 |
Data security analyst | $147,500 | |
Data Scientist | $144,250 | |
DevOps Engineer | $140,250 | |
Network security engineer | $140,000 |
About Braves
Braves help global technology companies incubate their offshore development teams in India. The team in India is an extension of the onshore team and works collaboratively to achieve its goals.
With 17+ years of experience in technology recruitment in the US and India, we know how to build a team of high performers. Our fully managed operations model and people-driven policies have helped clients scale their teams with high employee retention rates of 85%.
Ready to build your team in India or have more questions? Please fill out the contact form. One of our sales directors will get back.
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