New grad SWE roles in 2026
Entry-level software engineering roles put you on a team writing production code from the start. You'll participate in code reviews, on-call rotations, and sprint planning. Look for titles like Software Engineer (New Grad), Junior Software Engineer, SDE I, or Associate Software Engineer. Companies of every size hire new grad SWEs, from FAANG to seed-stage startups.
Landing your first SWE job after graduation
LeetCode-style interviews are still the norm at most companies, so practice consistently. System design is increasingly asked even at the new grad level. Beyond interviews, make sure your resume highlights projects with real technical depth, not just class assignments. Referrals help. Reach out to alumni, past interns, and anyone in your network already at companies you're targeting.
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