As demand for AI and data engineering accelerates, mid-market technology companies face an urgent challenge: how to build high-performing technical teams without the luxury of unlimited budgets, time, or brand equity. The global shortage of senior engineering talent is no longer a temporary disruption—it is a structural constraint.
In 2025, demand for AI and data engineering roles surged more than 40% year-over-year, while the availability of senior candidates remained stagnant. In key delivery markets such as India, there is just one qualified GenAI engineer for every ten open positions [ET Tech, 2025]. In the U.S., experienced data engineers now command total compensation packages of $200,000 to $300,000+, pricing many mid-market firms out of the competition [Veritone, 2025; Business Insider, 2025].
For mid-sized firms, delays in engineering capacity often translate directly into stalled roadmaps, lost revenue opportunities, and higher risk profiles. Research from McKinsey indicates that a 3–6 month delay in data platform deployment can reduce project ROI by up to 40% [McKinsey Digital, 2024].
Even firms that succeed in hiring may struggle to retain top talent or scale their teams efficiently. As a result, many organizations find themselves overpaying for underutilized teams—or underdelivering on critical product and platform initiatives.
Managed engineering services offer a modern alternative tailored to the realities of mid-market organizations. When structured around outcomes rather than headcount, these engagements provide:
Crucially, the success of managed engineering depends on how the engagement is structured. Firms that treat these partnerships as commodity labor fail to capture the true value. By contrast, companies that focus on business outcomes—clear KPIs, quality metrics, and product-level accountability—gain both flexibility and leverage.
For CTOs in mid-sized technology and tech-enabled companies, the challenge is not simply how to hire faster or cheaper. It is how to create resilient, high-performing engineering capacity without incurring unsustainable costs or delivery risk.
Managed services offer a practical solution:
Forte Group delivers managed engineering services that combine global talent access, disciplined delivery governance, and an unwavering focus on measurable outcomes. Our cross-functional squads are built to integrate seamlessly with internal teams, accelerate time to market, and maintain high quality standards from day one.
We serve mid-market clients who cannot afford the risk of failed hires, delayed delivery, or overstaffed teams. Instead, we provide engineered scale: adaptable, expert-led teams that produce results, on time and on budget.
In an environment defined by talent scarcity and digital urgency, Forte Group enables technology leaders to out-execute, not outspend.