Staff Software Engineer (Backend)

IKAS INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

IKAS International (Asia) Pte. Ltd. is seeking Staff & Principal Software Engineers (Backend) to drive the technical architecture and lead the development of complex, business-critical systems on AWS.

This senior, hands-on role requires balancing strategic architecture with practical implementation, mentoring teams, and delivering reliable, scalable backend services while embracing AI-assisted tooling to boost productivity.

Qualifications

• At least 10+ to 15+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Proven experience defining architecture and technical strategy for large-scale, complex software platforms.
• Strong hands-on backend engineering experience balancing strategic leadership and implementation.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native architecture and AWS.
• Experience with containers, messaging systems, caching, databases, search technologies, observability and reliability.
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes/ECS, MySQL, MongoDB, Kafka, Redis and Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Java, Go, Python, JavaScript or TypeScript (Node.js a bonus).
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, Cursor or GitHub Copilot.
• Strong problem-solving, technical judgement and independence.
• Experience with geographically distributed engineering teams is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline; Master's advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain scalable backend systems on AWS.
• Drive technical architecture and long-term engineering strategy for complex systems.
• Lead technical projects end-to-end from requirements to production support.
• Remain hands-on in coding, reviewing and improving production systems.
• Drive improvements in performance, scalability and reliability.
• Establish engineering best practices through architecture reviews, code reviews and guidance.
• Identify opportunities to automate workflows and improve development efficiency.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

AWS

Kubernetes/ECS

MySQL

MongoDB

Kafka

Redis

Elasticsearch/OpenSearch

Java

Go

Python

JavaScript/TypeScript

Node.js

AI-assisted tools (Claude Code, Cursor

GitHub Copilot

Problem solving

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Master's degree advantageous

Tools

Kubernetes/ECS

MySQL

MongoDB

Kafka

Redis

Elasticsearch/OpenSearch

Job description

Staff & Principal Software Engineers (Backend)

About the Role

We are looking for experienced Staff & Principal Software Engineers to drive the technical architecture and development of complex, business-critical software systems.

This is a senior hands-on engineering role (individual contributor) suited to someone who can operate at both strategic and technical levels, taking ownership of architecture, implementation and engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain scalable, highly available and reliable backend systems on AWS.

• Drive technical architecture and long-term engineering strategy for complex distributed systems.

• Lead technical projects end-to-end, from requirements gathering and solution design through development, testing, deployment and production support.

• Remain hands-on in coding, reviewing and improving production systems.

• Drive improvements in system performance, scalability, reliability and operational efficiency.

• Establish engineering best practices through architecture reviews, code reviews and technical guidance.

• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, automate workflows and improve development efficiency.

• Leverage AI-assisted development tools (day-to-day) throughout the software development lifecycle to improve productivity and code quality.

• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions.

Requirements

• At least 10+ to 15+ years of professional software engineering experience.

• Proven experience defining architecture and technical strategy for large-scale, complex software platforms.

• Strong hands-on backend engineering experience, with the ability to balance strategic leadership and implementation.

• Deep understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native architecture and AWS.

• Experience with containerisation, messaging systems, caching, databases, search technologies, observability and system reliability.

• Hands-on experience with technologies such as Kubernetes/ECS, MySQL, MongoDB, Kafka, Redis and Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, or equivalent.

• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: Java, Go, Python, JavaScript or TypeScript. Node.js experience is an advantage.

• Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, Cursor or GitHub Copilot.

• Strong problem-solving skills, technical judgement and ability to work independently.

• Experience working with geographically distributed engineering teams is preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. Master's degree is advantageous.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to influence technical architecture and engineering direction.

• Ownership of complex, high-impact engineering initiatives.

• Exposure to challenging technical problems and modern technologies.

• An environment that values technical excellence, accountability, pragmatic decision-making and continuous improvement.
  

  We regret to inform you that only shortlisted candidates will be notified / contacted.
  

  EA Registration No.: R1434118 - Tan Lee Ying, Norean

  iKas International (Asia) Pte Ltd

  ROC No.: 200914065E | EA License No.: 16S8086