Principal Architect - Technology Platforms & Core Services

About the role

The Principal Architect is the design authority for Technology Platforms & Core Services (TPCS) and leads the Architecture pillar covering solution and data architecture. The role owns the target-state blueprint for core systems, APIs and integration, cloud and platform services and the data platform, turning business and technology strategy into architecture principles, patterns and standards that delivery teams build against.

Key responsibilities

• Define and maintain architecture principles, reference architectures, design patterns and technology standards as the single source of truth for delivery teams, and act as design authority for major initiatives, reviewing designs, integration contracts and technology choices.
• Lead solution architecture for cross-pillar and enterprise-critical initiatives, own the enterprise data model and data contracts, and ensure performance, availability, disaster recovery and observability are designed in from the start.
• Shape the multi-year modernisation and simplification roadmap, identify technical debt and architectural risk, and ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements (including SDLC and MAS TRM) and IT Security.
• Maintain architecture artefacts and decision records for audit, risk and governance, and advise on build-versus-buy and platform selection.
• Lead and develop the Singapore architecture team, partner with pillar heads, Data & AI, IT Security and business stakeholders, and represent the group in architecture forums.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field; a Master's is an advantage.
• Minimum 15+ years in technology roles, with at least 7 years in solution, data or enterprise architecture at scale.
• Proven track record as design authority for large, complex, multi-platform environments with measurable modernisation outcomes.
• Experience in insurance or financial services, including core policy administration and distribution platforms.
• Experience in a dual-shore or vendor-supported delivery model, setting guardrails rather than supervising delivery.
• TOGAF, cloud architect or equivalent professional certification.

Required skills

• Familiarity with Databricks, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Fabric / Power BI and semantic or metrics-layer design.
• Exposure to AI and GenAI reference architectures, AI governance and secure non-production data practices.
• Deep expertise in cloud platforms (preferably Microsoft Azure), microservices, APIs, event-driven and integration patterns.
• Strong data architecture capability and sound understanding of security architecture, resilience, disaster recovery and regulatory compliance in financial services.