WiseTech cuts 2000 coding jobs as AI replaces engineers
Sydney logistics software company WiseTech Global is cutting 2000 engineering jobs, over 28% of its 7000 global workforce, as AI agents replace manual code writing.
"The era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over," CEO Zubin Appoo told investors Wednesday. The cuts target engineers across 40 countries where WiseTech operates.
WiseTech reported first-half revenue of $951m, up 76% year-on-year, driven by its CargoWise platform that touches 55% of global manufactured trade flows. The company serves 17,000+ customers including 24 of the top 25 global freight forwarders.
Operating cash flow grew 31% to $272m. Net profit dropped 36% to $150m, impacted by the $2.1b acquisition of supply chain software e2Open.
What this means for sales teams
WiseTech has not disclosed sales team impact. The company employs 975 people in Australia according to FY25 data, but global sales headcount is not public.
Worth noting: WiseTech built AI agents into CargoWise last year. The platform handles freight forwarding, customs clearance, and land-based logistics. If the product is selling itself better with AI, that changes the sales motion.
The company claims a quasi-monopoly in freight forwarding software. When you own the category, sales looks different than when you are fighting for deals. Enterprise AEs at category leaders typically work larger accounts with longer cycles, not high-volume prospecting.
WiseTech founder Richard White remains CEO after 25 years. No CRO or VP Sales is named in public filings. For a $1.19b revenue company, that is unusual. Either sales leadership sits below executive level or the product-led motion is real.
ANZ context
WiseTech operates 50+ offices globally with 39 product development centres. The Sydney HQ drives operations but specific ANZ sales headcount is not disclosed.
Shares rebounded 4% to $45 after the announcement, still down 60% since July 2025. Previous headlines involved corporate regulator issues, not growth metrics.
If you are in logistics SaaS sales in ANZ, this matters. WiseTech owns the category. When the category leader cuts engineering but grows revenue 76%, that signals AI is doing the work. Sales teams at competitors need to adjust.
Base and OTE data for WiseTech sales roles: not public. The company does not advertise open AE positions on major job boards as of this report.