From its humble beginnings way back in the 1950s — when IBM first established a base in Dublin — to becoming a global tech hub, Ireland’s IT sector has undergone an impressive evolution. Now home to some of the leading tech companies in the world and the latest wave of innovative AI startups, Ireland, and Dublin in particular has become a genuine hub for IT job opportunities.
The late 1990s and early 2000s was an era of significant change for Ireland's IT sector. Growth in the industry was fueled by government incentives and a highly skilled workforce, not to mention the Celtic Tiger. Anyone who was working or studying in Ireland at that time will know that this was a period of unprecedented economic growth that was largely driven by the IT and tech industries. And despite major challenges such as the economic downturn and global talent shortage, the Irish IT industry has continued to thrive.
And this looks set to continue long into the future thanks to the vibrant startup culture in Dublin and those AI tech startups we mentioned earlier. So it should come as no surprise that for the right people, there are plenty of opportunities for career development here in ireland.
With this in mind, here are the top 10 in-demand IT jobs in 2023.
1. Software Developer
Job Description: Software developers are the creative minds behind every single computer program you have ever come across. They design, code, test, and maintain software applications that meet the needs of businesses and consumers alike. Their work can be found in virtually every industry on the planet, but it’s the IT sector where the most opportunities lie.
Responsibilities:
Creating functional software based on user requirements.
Debugging and troubleshooting software issues.
Working closely with other departments to design and develop software solutions.
Keeping up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Salary Range: Software developers in Ireland can expect to earn between €40,000 and €80,000 per year.
2. Data Scientist
Job Description: Data scientists are the wizards that make use of the analytical skills to pull valuable insights from large datasets. Why this job may sound simple, it’s anything but. Data scientists use everything from statistical analysis to machine learning to spot trends and patterns in those datasets. This can give a company invaluable insights into specific aspects of their business such as customer behaviour or the fine-tuning of internal processes.
Responsibilities:
Analysing data from a wide range of sources.
Building and fine-tuning machine learning models.
Creating data visualisations and reports to present findings.
Working closely with stakeholders to understand needs.
Salary Range: Data scientists in Ireland typically earn between €50,000 and €100,000 per year.
3. Cybersecurity Analyst
Job Description: Cybersecurity analysts are the people that protect a company’s digital assets from hackers. Without their efforts, we would see a lot more hacks and data breaches in the world. A cybersecurity analyst will make sure that networks, computer systems, and any sensitive data are protected at all times. Their job is a proactive approach to security that nullifies any potential threats.
Responsibilities:
Monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity.
Investigating security incidents and breaches.
The maintenance of security protocols and firewalls.
Carrying out security audits and risk assessments.
Salary Range: Cybersecurity analysts in Ireland can expect to earn between €45,000 and €90,000 per year.
4. Cloud Solutions Architect
Job Description: Cloud solutions architects design and manage cloud-based infrastructure and services. They work closely with the internal development team to make sure that any cloud solutions are not only suitable for the company’s needs but are scalable and cost-effective should the company expand.
Responsibilities:
Designing cloud solutions based on company/user requirements.
Ensuring security and compliance within cloud environments.
Managing cloud infrastructure and monitoring performance.
Guiding internal teams on best practices for the cloud.
Salary Range: Cloud solutions architects in Ireland typically earn between €60,000 and €110,000 per year.
5. AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Job Description: AI/Machine Learning engineers specialise in developing machine learning models and algorithms. These are the projects that leverage AI to do everything from automating processes to enhancing user experiences. AI/Machine Learning engineers often work closely with data scientists and software developers to help create the various models required for application development.
Responsibilities:
Building and training machine learning models.
Optimising models for scalability.
Integrating AI solutions into software applications.
Working with data scientists to gather and preprocess data.
Salary Range: AI/Machine Learning engineers in Ireland can earn between €55,000 and €100,000 per year.
6. DevOps Engineer
Job Description: DevOps engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams. Their job is to automate and streamline software development. DevOps engineers will often use tools like Docker and Kubernetes to containerize applications. This will then enable continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD).
Responsibilities:
Building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
Streamlining manual tasks and processes.
Monitoring application performance and infrastructure.
Working with development and operations teams to improve efficiency.
Salary Range: DevOps engineers in Ireland typically earn between €50,000 and €95,000 per year.
7. IT Project Manager
Job Description: As you may have guessed, IT project managers will oversee the planning, execution, and completion of IT projects. They are the ones who are responsible for defining project scope, goals, and deliverables, as well as managing budgets, timelines, and resources. An IT project manager’s primary responsibility is to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget while meeting quality standards.
Responsibilities:
Defining project objectives and creating detailed project plans.
Managing project budgets, resources, and timelines.
Communicating with stakeholders and team members.
Identifying and mitigating project risks.
Salary Range: IT project managers in Ireland can earn between €60,000 and €120,000 per year.
8. Full Stack Developer
Job Description: Full stack developers work in both front-end and back-end development. They create interactive web applications that deliver the very best in user experiences. Full stack developers work with a wide range of technologies, from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on the front end to databases and server-side scripting languages on the back end.
Responsibilities:
Designing user interfaces and web layouts.
Developing server-side applications and APIs.
Working with designers and front-end developers.
Debugging and optimising web applications for performance.
Salary Range: Full stack developers in Ireland typically earn between €45,000 and €90,000 per year.
9. Network Engineer
Job Description: Network engineers are responsible for designing and maintaining network infrastructure at a company. They will make sure that all data can flow seamlessly between devices, servers, and cloud services. They will also troubleshoot network issues, implement security measures, and optimise network performance.
Responsibilities:
Designing and configuring network infrastructure.
Monitoring network performance and security.
Troubleshooting network outages and connectivity issues.
Working with IT teams on network upgrades.
Salary Range: Network engineers in Ireland can earn between €50,000 and €95,000 per year.
10. Business Analyst
Job Description: In simple terms, the business analyst is the person that connects IT and business objectives. They play a vital role in identifying business needs, defining solutions, and making sure that there are open lines of communication between stakeholders and development teams. Business analysts analyse processes, document requirements, and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and achieve business goals.
Responsibilities:
Gathering and documenting business requirements.
Analysing existing business processes and identifying areas for improvement.
Ensuring all needs are met based on stakeholders’ needs.
Helping IT teams develop solutions that align with business goals.
Salary Range: Business analysts in Ireland typically earn between €40,000 and €85,000 per year.
If you want to find the best opportunities in the IT job market here in Ireland or any job market for that matter, you’ll need the right support and that’s where Software Placements comes into the picture. If you’re a candidate struggling to land an IT role here in Ireland, then we’d like to hear from you. Get in touch today and let’s see what we can do to help you tailor those applications and ace your next IT job interview.