Lead Application Architect

NCS; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

NCS is seeking a Lead Application Architect to define end-to-end application architecture and provide strong technical leadership for complex projects in the APAC region. The role emphasizes modern design, cloud technologies, and enterprise integration to guide teams and ensure architectural integrity through the SDLC.

The ideal candidate has at least 10 years of IT experience, government project exposure, and deep proficiency in Java/Spring Boot, React.js, microservices, APIs, and cloud

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of IT experience with architectural leadership.
• Singapore Citizens only due to government project sensitivity.
• Deep expertise in microservices, API design, and distributed systems.
• Experience deploying cloud-native apps on AWS or Azure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical leadership for large-scale projects.
• Define system-level application architecture and design standards.
• Architect and implement microservices and distributed systems.
• Oversee SDLC architecture and ensure quality and alignment with business needs.
• Engage stakeholders to explain architecture decisions and trade-offs.
• Mentor Associate Architects and technical teams.
• Lead pre-sales and solutioning efforts with technical credibility.
• Collaborate on enterprise integration and middleware strategies.

Skills

Java/Spring Boot

JavaScript/React.js

Microservices

API technologies

Cloud-native design

Docker/Kubernetes

CI/CD/DevOps

Enterprise integration

IBM MQ

Education

Bachelors in CS/CE/IT

Tools

IBM MQ

CI/CD tools

AWS/Azure

Job description

NCSis a leading technology services firm thatoperatesacross the Asia Pacific region in over 20 cities, providing consulting, digital services, technology solutions, and more. We believe in harnessing the power of technology to achieve extraordinary things, creating lasting value and impact for our communities, partners, and people. Our diverse workforce of 14,000 has delivered large-scale, mission-critical, and multi-platform projects for governments and enterprises in Singapore and the APAC region.

Job Description

Summary

The Lead Application Architect is responsible for defining end-to-end application architecture, ensuring technical excellence, and providing strong technical leadership for complex projects.

The role requires deep expertise in modern application design, cloud technologies, and enterprise integration, with the ability to guide teams and maintain architectural integrity throughout the software development lifecycle

What will you do?

1. Project Delivery & Technical Leadership

• Provide strong technical leadership in large-scale or complex project(s) independently.
• Define system-level application architecture, including high-level design, architecture principles, coding standards, integration strategies, and risk mitigation measures.
• Architect and implement microservices-based solutions, API designs, and distributed systems.
• Oversee application framework design and ensure best practices, reusable components, and enterprise patterns are adopted.
• Maintain control over the architecture throughout the entire SDLC, making critical adjustments to ensure solution quality and alignment with business needs.
• Participate in requirements analysis to validate feasibility, highlight gaps, and identify potential challenges.
• Develop technical blueprint independently, ensuring system meets both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Ensure best practices, frameworks and re-useable components are employed in the project.
• Engage customers and stakeholders to articulate architecture decisions, trade-offs, and technical considerations.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and support development teams in resolving architectural or integration problems.

2. Organisation Development

• Coach, mentor, and guide Associate Architects, Architects, and technical teams.
• Share knowledge through internal forums, Communities of Practice (CoPs), and technical workshops.
• Develop and conduct in-depth technical training materials or courses.
• Contribute to organisational knowledge repositories based on project learnings and best practices.

3. Business Development

• Participate in pre-sales and solutioning activities to review proposed architecture, technical approaches, and effort estimations.
• Support the organisation in building technical credibility by contributing as a speaker or panelist at IT-related seminars, trade shows, or industry events

Qualifications

The Ideal Candidate should possess:

Experience & Technical Skills

• Minimum 10 years of IT experience, preferably in roles involving architectural leadership.
• Due to government project sensitivity, we will only consider Singapore Citizen
• Strong proficiency in:
  • Java, Spring Boot
  • JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React.js)
  • Application framework and solution design
  • Microservices architecture and distributed systems
  • API technologies (REST, GraphQL, OpenAPI)
• Hands-on experience with enterprise middleware such as IBM MQ, message brokers, and integration platforms.
• Experience in designing and deploying cloud-native applications on AWS or Azure (Cloud Architect certifications preferred).
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, DevOps methodologies, and cloud/PaaS platforms.
• Broad and deep knowledge of modern IT technologies, patterns, and architectural best practices.
• Proven experience building and deploying scalable, secure production systems.

Education & Certifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT, or related fields.
• Relevant cloud or technology certifications (AWS, Azure, Java, etc.) are an advantage

Additional Information

We are driven by our AEIOU beliefs—Adventure, Excellence, Integrity, Ownership, and Unity—and we seek individuals who embody these values in both their professional and personal lives. We are committed to our Impact: Valuing our clients, Growing our people, and Creating our future.

Together, we make the extraordinary happen.

Learn more about us at ncs.co and visit our LinkedIn career site.