Data Acquisition Engineer (AI Systems)

MHA - Internal Security Department (ISD); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MHA - Internal Security Department (ISD) seeks a Data Acquisition Engineer (AI Systems) to join an engineering team working on automation, AI, and large-scale data processing to support Singapore’s security mission. You will design platforms to collect, process, and deliver data from public sources, using browser automation and APIs, with emphasis on reliability and scalability in distributed systems.

Fresh graduates encouraged; Singaporean candidates preferred; growth through conferences,

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Analytics, or equivalent competencies.
• Core Requirements: Strong programming skills in Python, Node.js, or similar languages; good understanding of software engineering fundamentals; strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving abilities; able to work independently and in team; strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Valuable Experience: Browser automation using Playwright, Puppeteer, Selenium, or similar tools; Web technologies including HTML, JavaScript, HTTP, cookies, sessions, and API; Data engineering, ETL pipelines, or distributed systems; Docker and containerized development environment; Databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar technologies; Monitoring, observability, and reliability engineering practices; Familiarity with deploying and operating applications in cloud or containerized environments.
• Helpful AI and Autonomous Systems Experience: Experience using large language models in applications or workflows; familiarity with agent-based architectures and tool-calling systems; experience with prompt engineering, evaluation, and model experimentation; experience building AI-assisted automation solutions; interest in autonomous systems and self-healing workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and build platforms that collect, process, and deliver structured data from a wide range of public sources while continuously improving their reliability and resilience.
• Work on systems that discover, collect, extract, process, and deliver data from a wide variety of online sources, including APIs and those requiring browser automation or AI-assisted workflows.
• Address evolving website interfaces and automation workflows to maintain robust data acquisition systems.
• Contribute to building autonomous, self-healing data acquisition systems over time.

Skills

Python

Node.js

Software fundamentals

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in CS/Engineering

Data Science

Tools

Playwright

Puppeteer

Selenium

Docker

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Job description

What the role is:

The Internal Security Department (ISD) confronts and addresses threats to Singapore’s internal security and stability. For over 75 years, ISD and its predecessor organisations have played a central role in countering threats such as those posed by foreign subversive elements, spies, racial and religious extremists, and terrorists. A fulfilling and rewarding career awaits those who want to join in ISD’s critical mission of keeping Singapore safe, secure and sovereign for all Singaporeans.You will be part of a dynamic engineering team supported by highly technical and collaborative colleagues. You will have access to numerous learning opportunities, like attending leading overseas conferences, protected time for professional development and a learning and development subsidy to support your growth.Whether you are a fresh graduate eager to learn or an experienced engineer looking for challenging technical problems, you will have the opportunity to work on real-world systems that combine automation, AI, and large-scale data processing, and contribute directly towards Singapore’s national security.

What you will be working on:

• As a Data Acquisition Engineer (AI Systems), you will work at the intersection of software engineering, browser automation, distributed systems, and AI. You will help design and build platforms that collect, process, and deliver structured data from a wide range of public sources while continuously improving their reliability and resilience.
• You will work on systems that discover, collect, extract, process, and deliver data from a wide variety of online sources. Some sources provide APIs, while others require browser automation, custom extraction strategies, or AI-assisted workflows.
• The challenges are rarely straightforward. Websites evolve, interfaces change and automation workflows break. Building reliable data acquisition systems require curiosity, persistence, creativity, and strong engineering fundamentals.
• The long-term goal is to build increasingly autonomous systems that require less manual intervention and become more resilient over time.

What we are looking for:

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Analytics, or equivalent competencies.
• Core Requirements: o Strong programming skills in Python, Node.js, or similar languages o Good understanding of software engineering fundamentals o Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving abilities o Able to work independently and in team o Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Valuable Experience: o Browser automation using Playwright, Puppeteer, Selenium, or similar toolso Web technologies, including HTML, JavaScript, HTTP, cookies, sessions, and API o Data engineering, ETL pipelines, or distributed system o Docker and containerized development environment o Databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar technologies o Monitoring, observability, and reliability engineering practices o Familiarity with deploying and operating applications in cloud or containerized environments
• Helpful AI and Autonomous Systems Experience: o Experience using large language models in applications or workflow o Familiarity with agent-based architectures and tool-calling system o Experience with prompt engineering, evaluation, and model experimentation o Experience building AI-assisted automation solutions o Interest in autonomous systems and self-healing workflows

We care more about problem-solving ability, curiosity, and engineering mindset than checking every box on a technology list. Fresh graduates are encouraged to apply. Only Singaporeans need apply. We wish to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About MHA - Internal Security Department (ISD)

The Internal Security Department (ISD) confronts and addresses threats to Singapore’s internal security and stability. For over 75 years, ISD and its predecessor organisations have played a central role in countering threats such as those posed by foreign subversive elements, spies, racial and religious extremists, and terrorists.At the heart of our work are the collection of intelligence that enables us to size up the threats to Singapore’s internal security, and taking the executive actions necessary to overcome those threats. Every day, we collect and analyse intelligence, make impartial assessments, and take decisive action to counter the threats to Singapore’s internal security and stability, and sovereignty.