SVP, Engineering Lead of Database, Data Platforms, Middleware and Web, Technology Group

GIC Private Limited; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sovereign wealth fund in Singapore is looking for an SVP, Engineering Lead to oversee database and web services. The role requires extensive experience in managing cross-functional teams, migrating legacy systems to cloud, and ensuring security compliance. Candidates should have a strong technical background along with leadership capabilities. This is a permanent position based in Singapore, offering flexible work arrangements with four days in-office.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Professional growth opportunities

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record in database and platform engineering.
• Strong security background with authentication and encryption knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive strategy for database and web services.
• Lead globally distributed engineering teams.
• Champion DevOps/SRE best practices.

Skills

Database migration

Leadership

AI/ML readiness

Security compliance

DevOps

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science

Tools

Oracle

SQL Server

Snowflake

Databricks

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

SVP, Engineering Lead of Database, Data Platforms, Middleware and Web, Technology Group

Location: Singapore, SG

Job Function: Technology Group

Job Type: Permanent

GIC is one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. With over 2,000 employees across 11 locations around the world, we invest in more than 40 countries globally across asset classes and businesses. Working at GIC gives you exposure to an extraordinary network of the world’s industry leaders. As a leading global long‑term investor, we Work at the Point of Impact for Singapore’s financial future, and the communities we invest in worldwide.

Technology Group We experiment, design, and lead a 24×7 global business where we support core capabilities in asset management, trading, investment operations, and risk management. We deliver secure, reliable, and integrated solutions, and provide insights on new, and emerging technologies.

What impact can you make in this role?

This role will be the strategic, technical, and engineering leader for all database, data‑platforms, middleware, and web services across the global estate. Reporting into the Head of Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Engineering, this lead will define and drive the next‑generation strategy for data, database, middleware, and web services: evolving legacy relational systems (Oracle, SQL Server, etc.) while leading build, integration and migration to cloud‑native, open‑source, AI/agent‑powered databases, data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, data mesh, etc.). The incumbent must combine deep technical credibility with visionary leadership and ability to partner with application, AI, analytics, and operations teams. Over the next 5 years, this role is expected to transform GIC's data infrastructure and middleware into differentiators for performance, scale, agility, and insight.

What will you do as the Engineering Lead of Database, Data Platforms, and Web Services

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and own a multi‑year roadmap covering databases (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc.), data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, data lakes, data mesh), middleware (message brokers, application servers, API gateways), and web services.
• Modernize monolithic, traditional systems toward cloud‑native patterns, integrating streaming, operational analytics, and AI/ML readiness.
• Incorporate AI/AIOps for automated tuning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and self‑healing across data, middleware, and web services.
• Oversee GIC’s SWIFT infrastructure and financial messaging evolution (e.g., ISO 20022), ensuring robust engineering, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead globally distributed engineering teams responsible for building, integrating, and securing data/service layers.
• Champion DevOps/SRE best practices: Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and robust observability.
• Collaborate with app development teams to minimize latency, provide consistent data, and integrate solutions into existing operational models.
• Conduct technology evaluations, pilots, and vendor engagements (Snowflake, Databricks, open‑source DBs, middleware tools) to drive innovation and resilience.

Security & Compliance

• Embed security, compliance, privacy, and audit requirements into the design from day one, ensuring regulatory and data residency mandates are met.
• Implement strong access control, encryption, vulnerability assessments, and continuous monitoring.
• Maintain consistent security baselines, leveraging automated checks and configuration management to prevent drift.

Governance & Collaboration

• Serve as the global authority for database and middleware architecture governance, ensuring consistency across clouds and geographies.
• Engage with executive stakeholders to present strategy, trade‑offs, budget needs, and progress.
• Partner with security, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure alignment on risk management and operational excellence.
• Contribute thought leadership externally (conferences, forums) to enhance GIC’s presence in data and platform engineering.

Talent & Culture

• Foster a collaborative, “automation‑first,” and innovation‑driven culture, encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
• Set performance metrics (throughput, latency, cost efficiency, time to market) and empower teams to deliver on those KPIs.

What qualifications or skills should you possess in this role?

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership managing global, cross‑functional teams in database, data engineering, middleware, or platform engineering.
• Proven track record migrating legacy relational systems to cloud‑native/hybrid data platforms. Deep expertise in DB technologies (Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.), data orchestration, analytics/AI tooling (Snowflake, Databricks), and advanced frameworks (AIOps for predictive/self‑healing systems).
• Certified AWS Solutions Architect Associate (preferred Professional). Skilled in modern DevOps, SRE, IaC (Infrastructure as Code), container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), and advanced middleware/web services (message brokers, REST, SOAP, API gateways).
• Significant experience with SWIFT infrastructure—engineering, security, regulatory standards, and operational best practices.
• Strong security background spanning authentication, authorization, encryption, and vulnerability management. Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, load balancing, and HA for distributed systems.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and multi‑region standardization.
• Innovative mindset, adept at championing organizational change and continuous improvement in large‑scale, regulated environments.

Work at the Point of Impact

We need to be forward‑looking to attract the right people to help us become the Leading Global Long‑term Investor. Join our ambitious, agile, and diverse teams - be empowered to push boundaries and pursue innovative ideas, share your views, and be heard. Be anchored on our PRIME Values: Prudence, Respect, Integrity, Merit and Excellence, which guides us in how we make our day‑to‑day decisions. We strive to inspire. To make an impact.

GIC is a Great Place to Work

At GIC, our offices are vibrant hubs for ideation, professional growth, and interpersonal connection. At the same time, we believe that flexibility allows us to do our best work and be our best selves. Thus, our teams come into the office four days per week to harness the benefits of in‑person collaboration, but have the flexibility to choose which days they work from home and adjust this arrangement as situational needs arise. This role will be in our Tampines Office.

GIC is an equal opportunity employer

As an employer, we passionately believe every individual brings with them unique diversity of thought and perspectives to meaningfully enrich perspectives of GIC teams to drive competitive performance. An inclusive environment yields exceptional contribution.