How Junior Engineers Get Hired in 2026 (In the Age of AI)

If you’re a junior engineer trying to get hired in 2026, AI might feel like it’s changing the rules faster than you can keep up. Do you double down on LeetCode? Build random side projects? Learn every new AI tool? In this episode, Yash Sheth – ex-Google AI engineer and now founder/CTO of Galileo – breaks down how junior engineers actually get hired in the age of AI, and what most beginners are doing wrong. Yash has 12+ years building AI systems at scale and working inside big tech. In this conversation, he shares what hiring managers really look for in junior developers today, how AI is changing entry-level roles, and the kind of projects that actually make you stand out – even if you don’t have a fancy background.  What you’ll learn in this episode: How to get your first job as a junior software engineer in 2026 - What “real” experience looks like when AI tools can write code for you - Why fundamentals still beat frameworks, tools, and buzzwords - How AI is changing what junior engineers do day-to-day - The mistakes Jr devs make when they try to “AI-wash” their resume - Simple, concrete project ideas that prove you can ship and think independently Timestamps: 00:00 From Google’s AI teams to founding Galileo 02:30 How AI is changing what companies expect from junior engineers 05:45 What junior engineers should actually focus on to get hired 10:20 Why trust, reliability, and understanding systems beats “tool collecting” 15:10 What hiring managers really look for in entry-level engineering candidates If you’re feeling stuck between “learn everything” and “AI will take my job,” this episode gives you a grounded roadmap for becoming the kind of junior engineer companies still fight to hire.  🔥 MORE TECH JOB EPISODES Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.