Software Engineer (AI-First & Rapid Deployment)

Fairview International School; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

3cat is seeking a Software Engineer (AI-First & Rapid Deployment) to replace manual workflows with AI-driven software across its retail and warehouse operations. You will lead an AI-native operations team, identify bottlenecks, and deploy automation to streamline processes and improve performance.

The role involves building, deploying and iterating on internal systems, dashboards, and integrations that enhance customer support and operational efficiency as 3cat scales to more stores nationwide.

Qualifications

• A natural problem solver who enjoys improving systems rather than accepting "the way things have always been done."
• Strong leadership skills, with experience building, mentoring and developing high‑performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with frontline staff, managers and technical teams alike.
• Comfortable working across operations, retail, warehousing and technology to drive change.
• Curious, adaptable and excited to learn new tools and technologies as they emerge.
• Data‑driven, with the ability to identify operational issues and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
• Experience designing operational workflows, automation or internal systems is highly valued. Familiarity with platforms such as n8n, Make or similar workflow tools, and experience using modern AI tools, is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Responsibilities

• Lead an AI‑Native Operations Team — Recruit, mentor and develop a high‑performing operations team responsible for running day‑to‑day operational workflows while continuously improving them through software, automation and AI.
• Build Better Ways of Working — Identify operational bottlenecks, redesign workflows and deploy automation that eliminates repetitive manual work.
• Own Internal Operations Systems — Lead the design, rollout and continuous improvement of the software and interfaces used across our retail stores and warehouses.
• Improve Customer Operations — Own the logic, workflows and integrations behind our AI‑powered customer support systems to improve customer experience and resolution rates.
• Maintain Operational Standards — Ensure operational workflows run consistently through clear SOPs, reporting, process governance and continuous improvement.
• Measure What Matters — Build real‑time dashboards and operational reporting that help leadership identify opportunities, monitor performance and make faster decisions.

Job description

Software Engineer (AI-First & Rapid Deployment)

About 3cat

“First change your device, then change the world.”

Founded in 2023 as a single-store operation specialising in pre‑owned Apple products in Kuala Lumpur, 3cat has rapidly evolved into one of Malaysia’s largest AI‑native retailers of high‑quality used electronics. Today, 3cat operates more than 20 strategically located retail outlets nationwide, underpinned by an AI‑driven technology platform that powers its omnichannel operations and enables data‑led decision‑making at scale.

At the core of 3cat’s proposition is a disciplined focus on value creation: like‑new electronics at up to 60% cheaper than new, underpinned by a 12‑month warranty, a 15‑day return policy, and a customer experience benchmarked to best‑in‑class service standards. The company’s circular economy model — extending device lifespans and democratising access to quality technology — directly addresses one of the world’s fastest‑growing waste streams. 3cat has bold ambitions to scale to 100 retail stores across multiple Southeast Asian markets — making secondhand the first choice across the region and building one of its most impactful circular economy platforms. 3cat is incorporated in Singapore (3cat Holdings Pte. Ltd.) and operates primarily through its Malaysian subsidiary, 3cat Sdn Bhd.

The Mission

At 3cat, we believe AI will fundamentally reshape how retail businesses operate, and we're committed to staying at the forefront of that transformation. We continuously evaluate and adopt the latest AI technologies where they create real business value, giving our teams access to cutting‑edge tools rather than legacy processes.

Your mission is to transform how 3cat operates by replacing manual work with software, automation and AI. You'll lead the team responsible for operating these systems while continuously improving them as we scale.

Success in this role starts on the ground. You'll spend time with warehouse teams, retail staff and customer support to understand how work actually gets done, identify what's slowing people down, and translate those operational challenges into better systems, workflows and processes.

You’ll work cross‑functionally with Operations, Technology and Product to turn ideas into tools that improve the business every day.

What You’ll Do

• Lead an AI‑Native Operations Team — Recruit, mentor and develop a high‑performing operations team responsible for running day‑to‑day operational workflows while continuously improving them through software, automation and AI.
• Build Better Ways of Working — Identify operational bottlenecks, redesign workflows and deploy automation that eliminates repetitive manual work.
• Own Internal Operations Systems — Lead the design, rollout and continuous improvement of the software and interfaces used across our retail stores and warehouses.
• Improve Customer Operations — Own the logic, workflows and integrations behind our AI‑powered customer support systems to improve customer experience and resolution rates.
• Maintain Operational Standards — Ensure operational workflows run consistently through clear SOPs, reporting, process governance and continuous improvement.
• Measure What Matters — Build real‑time dashboards and operational reporting that help leadership identify opportunities, monitor performance and make faster decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• A natural problem solver who enjoys improving systems rather than accepting "the way things have always been done."
• Strong leadership skills, with experience building, mentoring and developing high‑performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with frontline staff, managers and technical teams alike.
• Comfortable working across operations, retail, warehousing and technology to drive change.
• Curious, adaptable and excited to learn new tools and technologies as they emerge.
• Data‑driven, with the ability to identify operational issues and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
• Experience designing operational workflows, automation or internal systems is highly valued. Familiarity with platforms such as n8n, Make or similar workflow tools, and experience using modern AI tools, is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Why Join 3cat?

You’ll play a central role in shaping how one of Southeast Asia’s fastest‑growing retailers operates. Every improvement you deliver will help our teams work smarter, serve customers better and support our journey to 100 stores across the region.

If you're excited about leading people, improving operations and using software and AI to solve real business problems, we'd love to hear from you.

3cat started in 2023 as a single store in Kuala Lumpur, selling one thing: pre‑owned Apple products, done properly. Since then we’ve grown into one of Malaysia's largest AI‑native retailers of quality used electronics, with 20+ stores nationwide and a tech platform that powers everything we do, from how we price a device to how we serve a customer.

We believe great tech shouldn't cost the earth. Every device we sell is up to 60% cheaper than new, backed by a 12‑month warranty and a 15‑day return policy. Every device we sell is also one less device in a landfill.

Our Vision

Make secondhand tech the first choice. It's smarter, cheaper, and better for the planet.

"First change your device, then change the world."

Life at 3cat: Our Values

Forget the posters on the wall. This is how we actually work, collaborate, decide, and win, every single day.

Speak Truth.

So problems don't hide. No sugarcoating, no "I'll bring it up later." If something's off, we say it, straight up, to the person who needs to hear it. Awkward conversations now beat bigger messes later.

Team as One.

So challenges become opportunities. There's no "that's not my department" here. Store, HR, tech, ops, we're one team chasing one scoreboard. When something breaks, we fix it together, not point fingers at each other.

Own It.

So accountability becomes action. See something broken? Fix it. Don't wait for permission, don't wait for someone else to notice. We hire people who take the wheel, not people who wait for directions.

Customer First.

So trust becomes loyalty. Every call we make starts with one question: does this make things better for the customer? Get that right often enough, and trust turns into people who keep coming back, and keep telling their friends.

Keep Moving.

So good becomes great. "Good enough" isn't a finish line here, it's a checkpoint. We move fast, we learn faster, and we're always asking what's next.

This is the energy behind 3cat. If it sounds like your kind of workplace, you'll fit right in.

Ready to Join Us?

We're solving one of the world's fastest growing waste problems while making good tech affordable. We're just getting started, and we want you building the next chapter with us.