Principal Engineer

MINDEF; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government defense agency in Singapore seeks a Technical Lead to lead the architectural vision for software products. You will mentor a high-performing engineering team and oversee the development of secure, cloud-native applications. The role requires at least 15 years of software development experience, with a strong focus on technical leadership. This position contributes to mission-critical projects that impact national security and public service. Candidates should have a thorough understanding of DevOps practices and web development technologies.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in software development, including 5 in leadership roles.
• Experience managing teams for large-scale, secure applications.
• Strong understanding of modern web technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical vision and architecture for software products.
• Oversee development and deployment of cloud-native applications.
• Mentor engineering teams and promote best practices.

Skills

Software development

Technical leadership

DevOps practices

Engineering management

Cloud-native applications

Job description

What the role is

You lead the technical vision and architecture for software products, overseeing development and deployment of secure, cloud-native applications. You also mentor a high-performing team, promote best practices, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative, scalable solutions that drive organisational efficiency and growth.

What you will be working on

• Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture for our software products and infrastructure.
• Oversee the design, development, deployment, and scaling of secure, cloud-native applications.
• Guide the implementation of modern DevOps practices, including Continuous Integration (CI) / Continuous Delivery or Deployment (CD), GitOps, and Infrastructure as Code.
• Lead and mentor a high‑performing team of engineers working across the stack.
• Foster a strong engineering culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Champion best practices in code quality, testing, security, and documentation.
• Drive talent acquisition, onboarding, and performance development of engineering staff.
• Provide strategic partnership, and innovative technology solutions that supports DOTC’s vision of driving productivity and efficiency through innovative digital solutions.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional leaders to define product and technology roadmaps aligned with organisational goals.
• Translate complex operational needs into actionable technical requirements and scalable solutions.
• Optimise team workflows and ensure timely, high‑quality delivery of software features and infrastructure improvements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a technology advocate and spokesperson for innovation within and outside the organisation.

Challenge(s)

• Balancing different needs and make optimal product decisions
• Maintaining strong relationships with the stakeholders

What we are looking for

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in software development, with at least 5 years in technical leadership roles.
• Proven track record managing engineering teams working on large‑scale, secure, full‑stack applications.
• Deep experience with modern web development technologies.
• Strong grasp of DevOps culture and tools.
• Experience working in or with public sector, defence, or highly regulated industries is advantageous.
• Passion for technology that serves public good and impacts national‑scale outcomes.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About MINDEF

The mission of MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces is to enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor. The Defence Executive Officer (DXO) scheme is the non-uniformed career scheme of MINDEF that offers myriad opportunities in various job functions, such as corporate communications, cyber security, data analytics and visualisation, defence policy, finance, HR, psychology, and more. Embodying the same level of commitment towards defence, DXOs work together with their military counterparts to contribute to MINDEF/SAF’s mission and ensure Singapore's security and stability. United by this common cause, our lines of defence complement each other to secure the prosperity and progress of our nation.