According to recent research from Stanford University, nearly 9.5% of software developers fall into a category known as “ghost engineers.” These individuals occupy positions but contribute significantly less than their peers—often less than 10% of the average programmer’s output. While they’re technically employed, their impact on team productivity is negligible.

The most surprising part? Many ghost engineers skillfully avoid detection. They blend seamlessly into organizational structures, creating just enough activity—like trivial code changes or infrequent updates—to keep suspicions at bay.

One explanation lies in the increasingly common practice of overemployment, where individuals juggle multiple full-time jobs simultaneously. Dividing their attention across multiple roles, ghost engineers may meet minimum expectations at each job without truly excelling in any of them.

Remote work appears to exacerbate this issue. The study found that 14% of remote workers fall into the ghost engineer category. This number drops to 9% in hybrid setups and plummets to just 6% for in-office roles.

How can companies identify ghost engineers? One method is tracking code commits, a somewhat crude but telling measure of developer activity. While 58% of engineers produce substantial code commits monthly, 42% contribute mostly superficial changes—like editing a single line or symbol—creating the illusion of productivity without tangible results.

The cost of retaining such low performers isn’t trivial. If major tech companies were to eliminate these underperforming roles, they could collectively save billions. According to the researchers, this could translate into a staggering $465 billion boost to the market capitalization of 12 leading tech giants—without any hit to overall productivity.

The rise of ghost engineers reflects a broader challenge in managing remote and hybrid workforces. Companies must strike a balance between offering flexibility and ensuring accountability. Failing to address this issue doesn’t just affect bottom lines—it undermines team morale and the culture of innovation that drives the tech industry.

The concept of “ghost engineers” highlights the critical need for reliable and accountable talent in the tech industry—an area where Expert Minds excels. By providing remote IT specialists who are rigorously vetted and dedicated to delivering measurable results, we help organizations avoid the costly pitfalls associated with underperformance. Our transparent selection process ensures that every professional we place is aligned with the client’s expectations and contributes effectively, addressing the challenges of remote work environments while maintaining high productivity standards at a reasonable cost.