SwissREview - Mapping the Requirements Engineering Job Landscape

This paper investigates the evolving roles and qualifications of Requirements Engineers in Switzerland to align academic programs with industry demands. Drawing from a year-long analysis of job advertisements on LinkedIn, XING, and Jobs.ch from July 2023 to June 2024, this study addresses research questions regarding the job titles, tasks, skills, and qualifications associated with a Requirements Engineer. Initial findings from a pre-coded half-year dataset (July to December 2023), consisting of 669 data files collected from the two social media platforms, reveal that the ‘Requirements Engineer’ title is well-established yet often overlaps with ‘Business Analyst.’ Notably, more than 25% of the job ads recognize the IREB's CPRE certificate as a significant qualification, underscoring its acceptance in the Swiss market. The demand for ‘agile’ skills continues, consistent with trends noted in related research. A close connection to Proj ect Management could likewise be observed in job title combinations and requested certificates. Based on the findings of the final analysis, the study aims to explore the gap between academic programs and real-world industry needs. The overall research aims to contribute to shaping the future direction of RE education, not only in Switzerland.