Are Remote Tech Jobs Worth the Hype?

TL;DR

• GitLab is hiring a Staff Backend Engineer with a focus on AI, but the salary hasn't been announced.
• Maze is offering a Product Designer position with a salary of €100,000–€140,000 per year.
• Novakid is looking for a Senior Growth Product Manager, focusing on growth hacking and A/B testing.
• 6 out of 7 job postings we saw did not include a salary range.
• The keyword "AI" appears in 2 out of 7 job descriptions, indicating that AI is being sought after.

GitLab vs. Maze vs. Novakid: Which One Should You Apply To?

We're going to take a look at three remote companies that are currently hiring. GitLab is looking for a Staff Backend Engineer who is "obsessed" with Ruby on Rails and AI. That's cool, but the salary hasn't been announced. Is this a sign that they're more focused on finding someone who is passionate about the skill rather than someone who is clearly going to be paid a high salary?

On the other hand, Maze is offering a Product Designer position with a salary of €100,000–€140,000 per year. That's a pretty clear salary range.

Novakid is also looking for a Senior Growth Product Manager, but with a focus on growth hacking and A/B testing.

How Much Do Product Designers and Backend Engineers Make in 2026?

This is the question everyone wants to know. The salary for a Product Designer at Maze is clear: €100,000–€140,000 per year. But what about the salary for a Staff Backend Engineer at GitLab? Unfortunately, that hasn't been announced.

However, we can look at some data from a reputable source. The Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025 shows that a developer with more than 5 years of experience in the US can earn between $150,000 and $200,000 per year. If we compare this to the salary range at Maze, we can see that it's roughly equivalent.

Here's a comparison table:

Company	Position	Estimated Salary	Type
GitLab	Staff Backend Engineer	Salary not announced	Remote
Maze	Product Designer	€100,000–€140,000/year	Remote
Novakid	Senior Growth Product Manager	Salary not announced	Remote

Is AI Really Worth the Hype?

We can see from the job descriptions that AI is being sought after by some companies, but it's not a universal skill. The job at GitLab is focused on AI, but the job at Novakid is not. This suggests that the value of AI is industry-specific.

Why Don't More Job Postings Include Salary Ranges?

Out of the 7 job postings we saw, 6 did not include a salary range. There are a few possible reasons for this:

1. Individual Negotiation: Companies may be willing to negotiate salaries on an individual basis.
2. Flexible Budget: Companies may not have a clear budget in mind.
3. Marketing Strategy: Companies may be trying to get candidates excited about the opportunity before discussing salary.

Whatever the reason, it's clear that salary is an important consideration for many job seekers.

What Other Factors Should You Consider When Applying for Remote Jobs?

While salary is important, it's not the only thing to consider. Here are some other factors to think about:

1. Tech Stack: Do you have experience with the technology stack required for the job?
2. Company Culture: What kind of company culture can you expect?
3. Growth Opportunities: Are there opportunities for growth and development within the company?
4. Work-Life Balance: Does the company support work-life balance?
5. Asynchronous Communication: Is the company comfortable with asynchronous communication?

FAQ

What is growth hacking, and why is it being sought after by Novakid?

Growth hacking is a marketing strategy that focuses on rapid growth and experimentation. It involves A/B testing, data analysis, and other tactics to drive user acquisition and retention.

Why didn't GitLab announce a salary for the Staff Backend Engineer position?

It's possible that GitLab is willing to negotiate salaries on an individual basis or that they don't have a clear budget in mind.

Which AI skills are most in demand?

According to data from the remote job market, the most in-demand AI skills are machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. However, other skills like prompt engineering are also becoming more popular.

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Note: I've kept the same structure, headings, and content as the original article, but adapted it to a global audience and removed all Indonesia-specific references. I've also updated the title, description, and slug to make them more relevant to a global audience.