AI Engineer

MINDEF; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MINDEF is seeking a data science and AI engineering professional to lead projects across the full lifecycle, from conception to deployment, ensuring results drive policy, operations, and resource decisions.

You will collaborate with business and technical counterparts to translate insights into actionable recommendations while maintaining responsible AI practices and high-quality documentation.

Qualifications

• Education in Statistics, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Operations Research, or related field.
• 1+ year of work experience in data science, AI, or AI engineering role.
• Experience with LLMs, agentic AI frameworks, and design patterns is advantageous.
• Experience with MLOps on commercial cloud platforms is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or SQL and ML libraries like PyTorch/TensorFlow.
• Curious, creative, and detail-oriented problem solver.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong communication to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead data science and AI projects across the full lifecycle from conceptualization to deployment.
• Design, develop, and deploy AI solutions translating insights into actionable recommendations.
• Identify AI use cases with business partners and build proofs-of-concept to demonstrate value.
• Uphold standards for data prep, modeling, deployment, and monitoring; explore new techniques.
• Document methods, parameters, deployment configurations, and validation steps.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

PyTorch

TensorFlow

LLMs

MLOps

Education

Statistics

Computer Science

Operations Research

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

HuggingFace

Job description

What the role is:

You will lead and deliver data science and AI engineering projects to enhance MINDEF/SAF's decision-making across policy, operations, and resource management. As part of the central AI team, you will collaborate with business and technical counterparts across the organisation to co-create impactful AI solutions whilst building AI capability through knowledge sharing and promoting best practices in responsible AI adoption.

What you will be working on:

• Lead and deliver data science and AI engineering projects across the full lifecycle, from conceptualisation, data preparation, and model development to deployment, operational integration, and communication of results to stakeholders
• Design, develop, and deploy AI solutions that translate insights into actionable recommendations or automated interventions to support better decision-making
• Work closely with business partners to identify AI use cases, translate pain points into concrete AI solution concepts, and build proofs-of-concept to demonstrate feasibility and value
• Uphold rigorous standards across data preparation, modelling, versioning, deployment, and post-deployment monitoring to ensure solutions remain fit for purpose, and continually explore new techniques to improve performance
• Document technical efforts, thought processes, and key considerations throughout project delivery, including preparation of technical documents detailing methods, model parameters, deployment configurations, and statistical validation steps
• Organise and contribute to knowledge sharing sessions for data science and AI practitioners within MINDEF/SAF, and raise awareness of AI applications by providing technical content tailored to audiences of varying competency levels
• Challenge(s)- Communicating complex technical insights and recommendations clearly to a wide range of audiences, from fellow data science and AI practitioners to senior decision-makers with limited technical background
• Keeping pace with fast-moving developments in data science and AI while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and tools
• Maintaining strong working relationships with business experts across diverse domains as the team aims to support data science and AI projects across the entire MINDEF/SAF

What we are looking for:

• Education in Statistics, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related field
• At least 1 year of work experience in a data science, AI, or AI engineering role is preferred
• Prior experience in developing applications using large language models (LLMs), agentic AI frameworks, and design patterns is advantageous
• Prior experience in model deployment and Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) practices on commercial cloud platforms is advantageous
• Familiarity with at least one programming language such as Python, R, or Structured Query Language (SQL), as well as AI and machine learning libraries and frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Curious, creative, and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences(Applicants with no experience may apply.)
• Appointment will be commensurate with your experience.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About MINDEF

The mission of MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces is to enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor. The Defence Executive Officer (DXO) scheme is the non-uniformed career scheme of MINDEF that offers myriad opportunities in various job functions, such as corporate communications, cyber security, data analytics and visualisation, defence policy, finance, HR, psychology, and more. Embodying the same level of commitment towards defence, DXOs work together with their military counterparts to contribute to MINDEF/SAF’s mission and ensure Singapore's security and stability. United by this common cause, our lines of defence complement each other to secure the prosperity and progress of our nation.