What early-stage startups are hiring in 2026

Startups are hiring experienced operators, not new grads

Entry-level hiring at early-stage startups is down 76% since 2019. New grads are now 3% of hires, down from 15% in 2016.

The people startups compete for have a decade of experience and a job. They have to be found, not waited for.

Which functions early-stage startups are hiring for

Finance is the only function that stayed above 2019 levels through the 2023–25 slowdown. Sales has recovered. Marketing and design are still shrinking.

SignalFire, State of Tech Talent Report 2026.

The startup roles with the most open postings

Founding AEs are posted almost as often as founding engineers. Chief of Staff and BizOps roles outnumber every “Head of” title.

Orbit Hires analysis of US job postings at companies of 5–100 people, July–September 2026.

What startup operating hires pay right now

• Chief of Staff, NYC startups: $170–200k median posted base, from 9 postings.
• Head of Finance and Controller, NYC startups: $165–195k median posted base, from 7 postings.
• Founding AE, US startups: $180–215k median posted OTE, split 50/50, from 13 postings.

Medians of posted ranges, June–September 2026. Staffing firms, nonprofits and funds excluded.

Most startups hire a sales leader before they have reps

Most of these roles are written as player-coaches: sell now, build the team later.

Why solutions engineers are an early hire now

SignalFire tells founders to hire solutions engineers early when the product needs implementation, workflow change or security review.

Its data shows sales engineer hiring up about 11%, and forward-deployed engineers up about 30%.

At startups of 5–100 people, solutions engineer postings outnumber every “Head of” title. We run these searches alongside AE and sales leader roles.

What this means for your first hires

• Budget for experience. The people you want have ten years behind them and a job today.
• Hire finance early. It’s the one function startups kept hiring through the slowdown.
• Pair your first AE with a solutions engineer if deals need implementation.
• Hire fewer, better operators. Each one carries more of the company than in 2019.

How a search works with us

1. 01Free market mapSend us the JD. We map who does this job today, where they sit and what they cost, before you sign anything.
2. 02One retainerA monthly retainer covers up to three open roles at a time. No placement fee, however many we fill.
3. 03EmbeddedWe work in your Slack and your ATS, design the interview loop and run it, then close the offer.
4. 04Step backWhen you stop hiring, we stop. The pipeline, notes and scorecards stay in your ATS.

GuaranteeFive qualified intros on your calendar in the first 30 days, or the next month is on us.

Questions about startup hiring in 2026

What roles do early-stage startups hire first?

On the business side: account executives, a chief of staff, customer success and business operations. A finance hire follows before the first audit or raise.

Are startups still hiring in 2026?

Yes, but fewer and more senior people. Hires with 10+ years’ experience are up 44% since 2019, and entry-level hiring is down 76%.

Which startup functions are growing?

Finance (+12% since 2019), engineering (+7%) and product (+2%). Sales is back to 2019 levels. Marketing (−18%) and design (−22%) are shrinking.

Should a startup hire a solutions engineer early?

Yes, if deals need implementation, workflow change or security review. SignalFire recommends it, and sales engineer hiring is up about 11%.

Where does this data come from?

SignalFire’s State of Tech Talent Report 2026. Plus our own analysis of US job postings, June–September 2026.