Lead Software Engineer

Government Technology Agency; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency in Singapore seeks a Lead / Principal Software Engineer to drive technology modernization initiatives. The role involves advising government partners, championing engineering excellence, and mentoring teams. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in software development, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences. Flexibility and collaboration are key, making a significant impact on Singapore's Smart Nation initiatives.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Holistic employee benefits

Continuous learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in both greenfield and brownfield implementations.
• Exceptional ability to translate complex technology into clear language.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise and guide clients in solution design for complex challenges.
• Champion engineering excellence through best practices.
• Mentor and establish permanent engineering teams within agencies.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Education

10+ years in multi-squad development teams

Job description

What the role is

GovTech is the lead agency driving Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives and public sector digital transformation. As the Centre of Excellence for Infocomm Technology and Smart Systems (ICT & SS), GovTech develops the Singapore Government’s capabilities in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Smart City Technology, Digital Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity.

At GovTech, we offer you a purposeful career to make lives better where we empower our people to master their craft through robust learning and development opportunities all year round.

Play a part in Singapore’s vision to build a Smart Nation and embark on your meaningful journey to build tech for public good. Join us to advance our mission and shape your future with us today!

Learn more about GovTech at tech.gov.sg.

What you will be working on

GovTech Consulting partners with government agencies to accelerate their product capabilities through embedded modernisation and innovation initiatives whilst establishing permanent in‑house teams that drive broader transformation. We bring together exceptional engineering, product, and design talent to work directly within agencies, delivering world‑class solutions and building sustainable capabilities that serve Singapore.

Each team member is a recognised leader in their domain who embeds with agency teams to solve Singapore's complex technology challenges. As a member of this growing practice, you'll leverage your expertise to deliver high‑impact modernisation projects while mentoring agency teams and establishing permanent product capabilities that create lasting change across government.

Lead / Principal Software Engineer responsibilities

• Advise and guide client agencies from problem definition through to solution design, in both greenfield and brownfield implementations.
• Advise and guide agency partners from problem definition through to solution design, in both greenfield and brownfield implementations.
• Address complex, high‑impact challenges at a national scale, driving innovation that improves efficiency and effectiveness across government.
• Champion engineering excellence by influencing the adoption and continuous improvement of engineering standards and best practices across GovTech and Whole of Government.
• Serve as the lead architect working with GovTech and industry partner teams to ensure smooth handover from recommendations to implementation—owning the outcomes.
• Establish and mentor permanent engineering teams within agencies, transferring technical expertise and engineering best practices.
• Develop standardised approaches for assessments, discovery, and solution design, grounded in GovTech and industry best practices.

You’ll thrive here if you

• Enjoy untangling complex technology and business problems.
• Can translate complex tech into clear, non‑technical language.
• Focus on value and outcomes, not just technical solutions.
• Influence through trust, collaboration, and clarity.
• Love working upstream to define problems and shape the right solution.

What we are looking for

• 10+ years of experience in multi‑squad development teams with a career progression to Architect.
• Adaptable with experience working in different industries, in‑house development, consultancy, and public sector.
• Curious and a problem‑solver – understands the need to balance building things right with building the right things.
• Actively mentors and cultivates future technical leaders, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator – able to communicate effectively with technical and non‑technical audiences, with a belief that working across teams and organisations is more effective than operating as a solo unit.

GovTech is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse voices and perspectives, as we believe it is key to innovation.

Our employee benefits are based on a total rewards approach, offering a holistic and market‑competitive suite of perks.

We champion flexible work arrangements (subject to your job role) and trust you to manage your time to deliver your best.

Learn more about life inside GovTech at go.gov.sg/GovTechCareers.

About Government Technology Agency

The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is the lead agency driving Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives and public sector digital transformation. As the Centre of Excellence for Infocomm Technology and Smart Systems (ICT & SS), GovTech develops the Singapore Government’s capabilities in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Smart City Technology, Digital Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity. At GovTech, we offer you a purposeful career to make lives better. We empower our people to master their craft through continuous and robust learning and development opportunities all year round. Our GovTechies embody our Agile, Bold and Collaborative values to deliver impactful solutions. GovTech aims to transform the delivery of Government digital services by taking an “outside‑in” view, putting citizens and businesses at the heart of everything we do.

Play a part in Singapore’s vision to build a Smart Nation and embark on your meaningful journey to build tech for public good. Join us to advance our mission and shape your future with us today! Learn more about GovTech at tech.gov.sg.