Group Chief Technology Officer

Boustead Holdings Berhad; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier defence technology firm in Malaysia is seeking a highly experienced Group Chief Technology Officer (GCTO) to lead strategic technology initiatives central to defence systems. The role requires at least 15 years of experience in defence technology, strong leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of cybersecurity. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent, with advanced degrees preferred. This position offers significant opportunities to influence innovation and ensure compliance with security standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in defence technology, engineering, R&D, or complex systems.
• Proven leadership in mission-critical technology programmes.
• Strong exposure to systems standards and technology governance.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute technology and innovation strategy.
• Establish Group-wide technology strategies across various domains.
• Lead R&D priorities and innovation governance.
• Ensure compliance with national security requirements.
• Build strategic partnerships with technology agencies.

Skills

Leadership of multi-domain technology programmes

Experience with government and military stakeholders

Cybersecurity expertise

Research and development capabilities

Ability to translate technologies to operational capabilities

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, ICT, Systems

Master’s Degree or PhD

Job description

Boustead Holdings Berhad is seeking a highly experienced Group Chief Technology Officer (GCTO) to provide strategic leadership, direction, and governance over the Group’s technology, research, and innovation agenda, with a strong emphasis on defence systems and mission‑critical technologies. Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, this role is central to ensuring technology readiness, interoperability, security, and alignment with national defence frameworks and the Group’s long‑term strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the Group’s technology and innovation strategy, strengthening defence capabilities and ensuring robust governance across systems, cybersecurity, R&D, and technology partnerships.
• Establish and lead Group‑wide technology and systems strategies across land, maritime, aviation, cyber, satellite, and supporting defence domains.
• Provide technology foresight to identify, assess, and develop emerging technologies and future defence capabilities.
• Lead Group R&D priorities, innovation governance, and grant funding initiatives, driving applied research, prototyping, and technology validation.
• Enable commercialisation and operational adoption of viable technologies in collaboration with Business Development, Strategy, and Operations teams.
• Set technology architecture, systems integration, interoperability, and technical assurance standards across major defence programmes.
• Ensure compliance with national security requirements, NATO standards, export controls, cybersecurity, and classified information policies.
• Lead cybersecurity assurance, digital resilience, and adoption of advanced digital, analytics, modelling, and AI capabilities.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with OEMs, research institutions, academia, and technology agencies to support localisation and capability development.
• Lead and develop Group technology, systems, and R&D talent, fostering a culture of innovation, governance discipline, and professional excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, ICT, Systems, or a related discipline.
• Master’s Degree or PhD is preferred; relevant professional certifications are an advantage.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in defence technology, engineering, R&D, or complex systems environments.
• Proven leadership of multi‑domain or mission‑critical technology programmes.
• Strong experience working with government, military, and strategic industry stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research and emerging technologies into deployable, operational capabilities.
• Strong exposure to cybersecurity, systems standards, testing, and technology governance frameworks.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and resilience in regulated and security‑sensitive environments.