The global product job market is showing strong signs of recovery and transformation, despite ongoing concerns about layoffs and AI-driven disruption. New data from early 2026 indicates that demand for product managers has reached its highest level in over three years, with more than 7,000 open roles globally and steady growth since the beginning of the year.

At the same time, AI is not reducing demand for technical talent—quite the opposite. Engineering roles continue to grow, with tens of thousands of open positions worldwide, while AI-related roles are expanding at an unprecedented pace. Companies are активно hiring AI engineers, AI product managers, and specialists across both AI-native startups and traditional tech firms integrating AI into their products.

One of the most notable trends is the rapid rise of AI as a core hiring driver. The number of AI-focused roles is increasing sharply, reflecting both the growth of new AI companies and the масштабное внедрение AI capabilities в existing products. This shift is also influencing how teams are structured and which skills are prioritized.

In contrast, demand for design roles has plateaued. While still essential, design hiring has remained relatively flat compared to product and engineering roles. This may indicate early signs of how AI tools are reshaping traditional workflows, enabling faster development cycles with fewer design dependencies.

Geographically, the Bay Area continues to strengthen its position as the global hub for tech and AI talent, accounting for a growing share of product, engineering, and AI roles. At the same time, cities like New York, London, and Bengaluru are reinforcing their status as key international tech centers.

Overall, the data points to a market that is not shrinking, but evolving. While competition for roles remains high, especially for candidates, the underlying demand for product and technical talent is growing.