Senior Principal Engineer / Associate Architect

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Singapore is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer/Associate Architect to oversee data centre operations and vendor management. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and at least 10 years of relevant experience, ensuring operational excellence in hybrid storage infrastructure. This role offers competitive remuneration and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration

Flexible work arrangements

Empowered work environment

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in data centre operations or facilities management.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale data centre facilities.
• Strong background in enterprise storage systems and hybrid/cloud storage integration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of data centres to ensure optimal uptime and efficiency.
• Lead end‑to‑end procurement for M&E equipment in data centres.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in storage and backup infrastructure.

Skills

Data Centre Operations Management

Vendor Management

Technical Documentation

Analytical Skills

Strategic Thinking

Analytical and planning skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Dell Avamar

Veeam

Commvault

Job description

Company Description

The National University of Singapore is the national research university of Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest higher education institution in Singapore.

About NUS IT

NUS Information Technology is the cornerstone to providing reliable, high-performance and secure IT solutions and effective IT governance for the campus. Here at NUS IT, we aim to transform NUS into a borderless computing community providing knowledge at its fingertips by enhancing the use of effective applications and services for teaching and learning.

We drive a culture that is forward‑looking. With a strong passion for IT, our people are always striving to improve, push boundaries and innovate with a "can‑do" attitude. We embrace collaboration, open communication and knowledge sharing. If you see yourself thriving in a dynamic environment and breaking new grounds with innovative ideas, you will find yourself at home in NUS IT.

As part of our team, you can look forward an empowered work environment that allows you to take charge of your own career path. We provide competitive remuneration as well as flexible work arrangements to enable your growth and development. We pride ourselves on our diverse workforce and are committed to transforming NUS into a leading global University shaping the future.

https://nusit.nus.edu.sg/

Job Description

The Senior Principal Engineer/Associate Architect is responsible for providing technical leadership in the oversight of data centre operations, vendor management, and infrastructure procurement. The incumbent will ensure operational excellence, reliability, and scalability of the organisation's data centre facilities and hybrid storage infrastructure (on‑premise and cloud). This role requires deep technical expertise in mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems, data centre management, and enterprise storage and backup technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Data Centre Operations & Vendor Oversight

• Oversee daily operations and maintenance of mission‑critical data centres to ensure optimal uptime, efficiency, and compliance with operational and safety standards.
• Manage and coordinate Data Centre Facility Management (DCFM) vendors, ensuring adherence to SLAs, preventive maintenance schedules, and incident response procedures.
• Review and approve method statements, risk assessments, and change management plans related to data centre works.
• Conduct periodic performance reviews, audits, and technical evaluations of vendors to drive continuous improvement and sustainability goals.

2. Procurement & Project Management

• Lead end‑to‑end procurement for data centre M&E equipment, including UPS systems, chillers, CRAC units, racks, and power distribution systems.
• Develop technical specifications, tender documentation, and evaluation criteria in collaboration with consultants, procurement officers, and internal stakeholders.
• Evaluate bids and proposals based on technical compliance, lifecycle cost, and sustainability performance.
• Oversee project implementation, infrastructure upgrades and data centre expansions.

3. Infrastructure Architecture & Technical Expertise

• Provide subject‑matter expertise in storage and backup infrastructure across on‑premise and cloud environments.
• Evaluate, design, and optimise storage solutions such as Block Storage (SAN), File Storage (NAS), and Object Storage (S3, on‑prem/cloud).
• Collaborate with IT operations and application teams to ensure high availability, scalability, and data protection through modern backup and replication technologies.
• Contribute to hybrid cloud architecture planning, including storage tiering, disaster recovery, and cost optimisation strategies.

4. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all operations and procurement activities comply with the University's governance frameworks, standards, and sustainability targets.
• Develop and maintain documentation for operational processes, business continuity plans, and infrastructure standards.

Qualifications and Requirements

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• At least 10 years of experience in data centre operations, infrastructure engineering, or facilities management.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale data centre facilities, M&E systems, and vendor performance.
• Strong background in enterprise storage systems (SAN, NAS, Object), backup infrastructure (Dell Avamar/PPDM, Veeam, Commvault, etc.), and hybrid/cloud storage integration (AWS or Azure).
• Demonstrated experience in tender preparation, technical evaluation, and procurement processes within public or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with BCA Green Mark, ISO 50001, SS564, or equivalent energy management standards is an advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical, planning, and vendor management skills.
• Excellent technical documentation and communication abilities.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to bridge facilities engineering and IT infrastructure.
• Leadership, stakeholder management, and collaborative problem‑solving capabilities.
• Commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: NUS Information Technology

Department : Infrastructure - Systems & Platform

Employee Referral Eligible: Yes

Job requisition ID : 31042