Head, Engineering, xCode

Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

HTX is seeking a senior engineering leader to provide operational guidance across frontend, backend, data management, testing, and integration domains. You will translate strategic technical direction into actionable plans for multiple engineering teams, ensuring adherence to enterprise standards and security protocols.

The role emphasizes cross-functional coordination with JV Co and HTX partners, driving DevOps adoption and capability building while managing vendor relationships and governance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 10–12 years in software engineering with 7+ years in senior technical roles (Technical Lead / Solution Architect).
• 4–5 years in team leadership, mentoring engineering teams across multiple disciplines.
• 6+ years developing and delivering large-scale enterprise projects (in-house software).
• Experience overseeing enterprise cloud-based solutions.
• Strong knowledge of DevOps practices across multiple teams.
• Experience with container orchestration technologies (Kubernetes) and enterprise-scale deployments.
• Proven ability to translate strategic direction into operational guidance and coordinate cross-functional activities.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, joint ventures, and external stakeholder coordination.
• Experience implementing QA frameworks, technical governance, and compliance across engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership across engineering teams and translate strategic direction into actionable guidance.
• Ensure consistent adoption of unified technical stacks, languages, libraries, and tools across projects.
• Coordinate with Product Management Group (PMG) and JV Co partners to align delivery.
• Oversee quality reviews against benchmarks and maintainability requirements.
• Foster knowledge transfer between SMEs, Lead Engineers, and JV Co Engineers.
• Drive adoption of DevOps methodologies and maintenance standards across engineering activities.

Skills

Technical leadership

Solution architecture

DevOps practices

Cross-functional coordination

Cloud-based solutions

Kubernetes

Vendor management

Stakeholder coordination

Quality governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering / Information Systems

Tools

Kubernetes

Job description

What the role is:

Get ready to embark on a transformative journey with HTX's newly formed xCode function, focusing on the organic in‑house development of core software modules for the mission critical and sensitive systems. This new setup aims to achieve greater control, agility and responsiveness to evolving operation needs to the dynamic operating environment for software delivery.

What you will be working on:

Role Overview

Provide operational leadership and coordination across engineering teams, translating strategic technical direction into actionable guidance whilst ensuring consistent implementation of enterprise frameworks and quality standards across all software development activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation of established technical frameworks and enterprise standards across Lead Engineers and Joint Venture Company (JV Co) teams
• Translate Deputy Director's strategic technical vision into clear operational guidance and actionable plans for engineering teams
• Ensure consistent adoption of unified technical stacks, programming languages, libraries, and tools across all development projects
• Facilitate alignment between engineering disciplines and enterprise architecture requirements

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Provide operational oversight and guidance to Lead Engineers and Engineers across frontend, backend, data management, testing, and integration domains
• Support coaching and mentoring initiatives to enhance technical capabilities and professional development of engineering teams
• Monitor team performance and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives to drive enhanced delivery capabilities
• Foster adoption of enterprise software development culture throughout organic teams and JV Co operations

Quality Assurance & Technical Governance

• Oversee technical deliverables and conduct comprehensive quality reviews against established benchmarks and standards
• Validate software development outputs for compliance with enterprise technical stacks, interoperability, scalability, and maintainability requirements
• Implement quality gates and ensure adherence to MHA's technical policies and security protocols
• Escalate critical technical issues and exceptions to Deputy Director Engineering whilst maintaining operational continuity

Cross-functional Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Facilitate cross‑functional communication between engineering teams, Product Management Group (PMG), and JV Co partners
• Manage day‑to‑day execution of technical consultancy services to xCode, HTX, and Home Team Departments (HTDs)
• Coordinate with Principal Vendors and external partners to ensure seamless integration and delivery alignment
• Resolve operational challenges and competing priorities across multiple engineering teams and projects whilst maintaining quality standards

Knowledge Transfer & Capability Building

• Facilitate knowledge transfer between Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Lead Engineers, and JV Co Engineers across various software engineering disciplines
• Support implementation of emerging technologies and new frameworks whilst managing learning curves and maintaining productivity
• Drive adoption of development best practices, DevOps methodologies, and maintenance standards across all engineering activities
• Ensure effective capability building initiatives that enhance technical competency across both organic and JV Co engineering teams

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field
• Minimum of 10-12 years' experience in software engineering with over 7 years in senior technical roles such as Technical Lead, or Solution Architect
• Minimum of 4-5 years' experience in team leadership, managing and mentoring engineering teams across multiple disciplines
• Minimum of 6 years' experience in developing and delivering large‑scale enterprise projects with primarily in‑house developed software products
• Experience in overseeing and coordinating enterprise cloud‑based solutions
• Strong knowledge of development, DevOps, and maintenance best practices with experience in implementing these across multiple teams
• Experience with container orchestration technologies (e.g., Kubernetes) and enterprise‑scale deployments
• Proven ability to translate strategic technical direction into operational guidance and coordinate cross‑functional engineering activities
• Experience in managing vendor relationships, joint venture partnerships, and external stakeholder coordination
• Demonstrated experience in implementing quality assurance frameworks, technical governance, and compliance standards across engineering teams
• Experience in facilitating knowledge transfer between technical teams and managing capability building initiatives
• Strong background in coordinating between different engineering disciplines (frontend, backend, data management, QA & testing) to ensure integrated delivery
• All new hires are appointed on a two‑year contract in the first instance and will be assessed and considered for permanent tenure over time, based on performance.
• As part of the shortlisting process for this role, you may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.
• All shortlisted applicants will be updated on the status of their applications within 4 weeks upon closing of the advertisement.

About Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX)

HTX is the world’s first Science and Technology agency that integrates a diverse range of scientific and engineering capabilities to innovate and deliver transformative and operationally‑ready solutions for homeland security. As a statutory board of the Ministry of Home Affairs and integral to the Home Team, HTX works at the forefront of science and technology to empower Singapore’s frontline of security. Our shared mission is to amplify, augment and accelerate the Home Team’s advantage and secure Singapore as the safest place on planet earth.