Technical Lead (Artificial Intelligence)

Singapore | Full-Time | OnsiteABOUT NCSNCS is a leading AI Technology Services Firm with a 15,000-strong team across Asia Pacific. We combine platforms, capabilities, deep domain expertise, AI, and digital resilience to help clients move with greater agility and drive real business impact. NCS is a subsidiary of the Singtel Group.THE ROLELead teams that build what matters, fast.Join a startup-style team within one of Singapore's leading technology services firms, working with senior leaders to transform client opportunities into AI-powered products, MVPs, and new ventures.This is a high-impact technical leadership role for experienced builders who thrive in ambiguity, lead multidisciplinary teams, and move from problem framing to production-ready solutions. You will use AI and AI engineers as a force multiplier across research, design, engineering, and delivery, while remaining accountable for client outcomes and team development.We are looking for technical leaders who have:Led the design and deployment of consequential AI/agentic systems in productionBuilt and mentored high-performing engineering teamsDemonstrated business acumen, critical thinking, and technical judgement under real constraintsCreated technical foundations and architectures that others build onDelivered measurable business value through AI innovationYou will lead teams delivering in live client environments, shaping solutions that can be tested, adopted, and scaled across the region.WHAT YOU WILL OWNStrategic Technical LeadershipEnd-to-end AI delivery methodology and technical standardsArchitecture decisions balancing innovation, scalability, security, and business valueEngineering roadmaps and team capability developmentTeam Development & MentorshipBuild, lead, and grow a team of AI engineers and buildersDrive technical onboarding, capability development, and career progressionFoster excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learningReusable Assets & KnowledgeEnsure reusable assets from client engagements are documented, abstracted, and ready for regional adaptationDevelop technical playbooks, design patterns, and best practices to scale AI-native deliveryEstablish knowledge transfer mechanisms that build organisational capabilityClient & Stakeholder EngagementAdvise C-suite and senior stakeholders on AI strategy, investment priorities, and architectureCollaborate with sales, delivery, and product teams to shape winning propositionsRepresent NCS's AI capabilities in client engagements and industry forumsKEY RESPONSIBILITIESTechnical Leadership & DeliveryLead multidisciplinary teams from client problems to prototypes, MVPs, and production-ready solutionsDefine architecture, technology stack, and delivery approach for complex AI initiativesTranslate ambiguous business challenges into product hypotheses, technical strategies, and execution roadmapsOversee AI-enabled solutions using software engineering, model orchestration, automation, and design toolsMake architectural trade-offs across speed, quality, security, scalability, cost, and business valueEnsure enterprise standards for reliability, maintainability, security, and observabilityTeam Management & DevelopmentBuild, mentor, and grow high-performing AI engineering teamsConduct technical, code, and architecture reviewsProvide coaching, feedback, and career developmentFoster a collaborative, innovative, and psychologically safe cultureIdentify skill gaps and drive upskillingStrategic Advisory & Thought LeadershipAdvise technology and business leaders on AI investments, architecture, and build-versus-buy decisions, drawing on NCS's cross-sector experience and AIC capabilitiesShape AI strategy and roadmaps with the Chief AI Officer, sector leads, and NCS leadershipContribute to whitepapers, case studies, and industry presentationsEvaluate emerging AI tools, methods, and frameworks for NCS and our clientsProcess & Methodology InnovationDrive rapid experiments and iterative delivery to validate desirability, feasibility, and valueContinuously improve engineering practices, delivery methodologies, and quality standardsDevelop reusable patterns and playbooks to scale AI-native delivery across sectors and geographiesChampion responsible AI, including fairness, transparency, privacy, and governanceCross-Functional CollaborationWork with sales and account teams on technical proposals and win strategiesCollaborate with product managers on product vision, roadmaps, and prioritiesPartner with infrastructure and security teams to meet enterprise standardsEnable knowledge transfer and solution adaptation across regional teamsTHIS ROLE IS FOR YOU IF…You are a proven technical leaderYou have led engineering teams delivering complex AI/ML solutions in productionYou balance hands-on technical contribution with strategic leadership and team developmentYou can inspire, mentor, and grow engineering talentYou thrive in ambiguityYou create clarity through action and leadershipYou define scope, shape approaches, and drive multiple workstreamsYou make sound decisions with incomplete information and adapt as context evolvesYou combine technical depth with business acumenYou combine technical expertise with product instinct, business understanding, and strong judgementYou translate technical complexity into business valueYou prioritise based on client impact and strategic valueYou communicate and influence effectivelyYou engage senior stakeholders and challenge assumptions constructivelyYou articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiencesYou build trust through transparency and deliveryYou are AI-fluent and forward-thinkingYou use AI as a practical multiplier across design, code, research, and deliveryYou stay current with AI innovation and separate hype from practical valueYou understand AI systems' limitations, risks, and capabilitiesYou are outcome-focusedYou care about shipping solutions that solve meaningful client problemsYou move quickly while maintaining quality, trust, and maintainabilityYou measure success by client impact and team growthQUALIFICATIONSRequiredEducation: Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field. Equivalent practical experience is valuedLeadership: 2+ years leading engineering teams (3+ engineers) delivering complex software or AI/ML solutions; 5+ years overall AI/technical experienceTechnical: Strong hands-on engineering in Python, JavaScript, or similar languages; experience building production-grade AI/ML applications and scalable, secure, maintainable systemsAI/ML Delivery: Experience delivering AI, ML, or generative AI solutions in production with measurable business impactModern AI Tooling: Understanding of LLM application patterns and orchestration frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex); model deployment, monitoring and evaluation; automation platforms and MLOps; model limitations, risks, and responsible AIEngineering Discipline: Ability to balance experimentation with security, reliability, observability, and maintainabilityStakeholder Management: Strong communication skills, ability to translate business needs into technical execution, and experience advising executivesAutonomy: Ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, lead through uncertainty, and deliver at paceGood to HaveExperience in consulting, venture building, startups, or innovation teamsExperience deploying AI in enterprise or regulated environments such as aviation, land transport, public safety, telecommunications, or governmentUnderstanding of compliance requirements in regulated sectorsFamiliarity with AWS, Azure, GCP, APIs, CI/CD, analytics, and observability toolsExperience with infrastructure-as-code, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architecturesKnowledge of data engineering, governance, and data qualityWHY JOIN NCSLead high-impact AI transformation programmes for major enterprises and public-sector organisationsTurn AI strategies into working solutions and measurable outcomesWork across consulting, AI, engineering, data science, product, and designBuild reusable AI capabilities that scale across NCS and Asia PacificWHY SINGAPOREAsia's innovation hub: Build your career in a leading global technology and AI ecosystemRegional exposure: Work on impactful projects across Asia PacificGlobal & multicultural: English-speaking, internationally connected, and home to global talentExceptional quality of life: Safe, clean, well-connected, with excellent public transport, healthcare, and infrastructureGateway to Asia: Excellent connectivity across Asia and beyondWork, live & explore: World-class food, culture, nature, and experiences