If you're looking to hire a software engineer, it's helpful to know exactly what will pique their interest in what has become a highly competitive recruiting process. Newly released information from Riviera Partners, a San Francisco-based placement firm that keeps a close eye on the engineering pool in Silicon Valley, offers a glimpse at what top candidates are hoping to find at their next job.

Not surprisingly, a high salary is high on the priority list, according to the data. Average salaries in the Bay Area range from $117K to $130K. Additionally, the report also shows that you're more likely to retain your engineers if you consistently challenge them. It also helps if they're passionate about what your company does.