AI engineer fastest-growing job role: LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2026

AI Engineer has emerged as the fastest-growing job role in Hyderabad, according to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2026 report. The findings highlight growing demand for AI-led and cross-functional roles amid evolving hiring trends in the city.

Hyderabad: Professionals in India are entering 2026 with strong ambitions for career change, according to new research from LinkedIn, which shows that 72% of Indian professionals are actively looking for a new role this year. At the same time, over one-third feel unprepared for the pace at which technology is reshaping job skills, with 38% citing rapid technological change and 37% unsure how to stand out amid growing competition.

To help professionals navigate this uncertainty, LinkedIn has released its Jobs on the Rise 2026 list. In Hyderabad, AI Engineer has emerged as the fastest-growing job role, underlining the city’s growing prominence as a technology and innovation hub.

Other high-growth roles in Hyderabad include Marketing Strategist (#2), Solutions Analyst (#3), Vice President – Business Strategy (#4), and Human Resources Representative (#5). The list highlights strong demand across marketing, business strategy, people functions and specialised professional roles, reflecting the city’s increasingly diverse employment landscape.

Commenting on the findings, Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Senior Managing Editor, LinkedIn India News, said Hyderabad’s job market is evolving into a multi-sector ecosystem with rising demand for adaptable talent. She noted that professionals who combine AI literacy with domain expertise, demonstrate outcomes through project-based work, and remain flexible in their roles are better positioned as hiring expands beyond technology into areas such as marketing, analytics and consulting.

The research also reveals that while Indian professionals are largely comfortable using artificial intelligence, concerns remain about its role in hiring. About 94% of respondents said they are comfortable using AI in their job search, but nearly half (48%) are unsure how to stand out when AI is involved in recruitment. More than half (54%) believe AI can be an obstacle to getting noticed by recruiters, even as 65% feel it can improve communication and bridge gaps in recruiter-candidate interactions.

LinkedIn said its AI-powered tools are designed to address these challenges. The platform’s AI-driven job search allows members to look for roles using natural language and discover opportunities they may not have considered earlier. The feature is being rolled out globally in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. More than 1.3 million members worldwide use the tool daily, with over 25 million weekly searches powered by the new experience. LinkedIn’s job match feature further helps users assess alignment between their skills and available roles.