Java Software Engineering Leader (VP/SVP)

Ambition; Singapore; On-site; SGD 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition is seeking experienced Software Engineering Leaders at VP, Executive Director and SVP levels to spearhead a major engineering transformation across a complex, highly available technology environment.

You will set technical direction, elevate engineering standards and lead platform modernization initiatives while shaping enterprise-wide engineering strategy and transforming teams. Strong Java, distributed systems and cloud experience are essential in a regulated market.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple engineering teams and/or senior engineering leaders.
• Strong Java hands-on coding experience and technical depth.
• Proven track record delivering platform modernization and engineering transformation.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction and strengthen engineering standards.
• Modernize platforms and build high‑performing engineering organisations.
• Balance technical quality, security, reliability, delivery and business priorities with executive stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Mentor / develop teams

Hands-on Java

Tools

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

DevOps

SRE

Observability

Job description

Our client is a leading Singapore-based financial market infrastructure organisation supporting critical capital markets activities across the region. With technology at the core of its operations, the organisation is undergoing a significant transformation to modernise its platforms, engineering practices and technology capabilities.

The Role

We are looking for experienced Software Engineering Leaders across VP, Executive Director and SVP levels to lead engineering transformation across a complex, highly available and regulated technology environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for setting technical direction, strengthening engineering standards, modernising platforms and building high-performing engineering organisations. Depending on seniority, the role will have responsibility ranging from multiple engineering teams and domains through to broader enterprise-wide engineering strategy and transformation.

Key Requirements

• Strong leadership experience across Software Engineering, Platform Engineering or Enterprise Technology, ideally within large-scale, high-availability environments.
• Proven experience leading multiple engineering teams and/or senior engineering leaders.
• Strong experience in Java hands-on coding
• Strong technical understanding of distributed systems, microservices, APIs, event-driven architecture and cloud platforms.
• Experience across modern engineering practices including Kubernetes, CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, DevOps, SRE and observability.
• Track record in platform modernisation, technical debt reduction, engineering transformation and operational resilience.
• Strong judgement in balancing technical quality, security, reliability, delivery and business priorities.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior business and technology stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build, mentor and develop high-performing engineering teams and leaders.
• Experience within a regulated, mission-critical or financial services environment is advantageous.
• Exposure to financial markets, trading, clearing, settlement or exchange technology would be a plus.
• Comfortable remaining hands-on with day-to-day technical work.

Regrettably, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Business Registration Number: 200611680D |Licence Number: 10C5117 |EA Registration Number: R23115372