An internal email sent by Timothy Cramer, SVP of software engineering, to Red Hat managers directs hiring requisitions to be made at a lower level of seniority than usual.

"All new plan reqs should be opened at a level below senior (e.g., Associate Software Engineer or Software Engineer)."While this change allows us to use our budget more effectively, it also helps us balance the organisation as we have many engineers with senior titles. We recognise that this will mean we need to plan for training and mentoring, promotions, and internal mobility as well, and we are here to support you in that", the email said.

The hiring budget update also says that current requisitions and backfills -- positions vacated that need to be filled -- should be offered at a reduced level. "All current reqs and future backfills will be down-levelled by one level by default (e.g., Senior Software Engineer to Software Engineer)", the memo explained.

There is some concern that Red Hat is dumbing down its operations, will be less likely to attract talented senior employees  and to make it more difficult to retain existing skilled employees.

We guess real senior types want to hang around with other like-minded and skilled people and don’t want to baby sit spotty Herberts.