The big picture: Fintech startup Forage is hiring new graduate software engineers for hybrid roles in San Francisco and New York, offering competitive salaries and benefits.

Why it matters: This hiring push highlights continued demand for entry-level tech talent and a direct-sourcing strategy that bypasses external recruitment agencies.

Between the lines:

• Forage offers a base salary range of $125k-$145k USD, plus equity and benefits.
• The company explicitly states it will not engage with third-party recruiters or agencies for this role.
• Applicants must have US work authorization, as visa sponsorship is not provided.

Staffing & HR impact: The direct hiring approach impacts recruiter mobility and gross margins for staffing firms, signaling a trend where some companies prefer in-house talent acquisition for specific roles. HR teams must manage direct sourcing and E-Verify compliance.

The bottom line: Companies are increasingly insourcing entry-level tech recruitment, challenging traditional staffing models.