Overview: Technology Industry in Singapore & SEA

In recent years, the Singapore government’s investment in technology and the local start-up ecosystem has continued to fuel the growth of start-ups. This, in turn, encouraged established firms and organisations to accelerate their digital transformation programmes.

Leading tech companies from China and the U.S. are expanding their business in Southeast Asia (SEA) and making Singapore their regional Headquarters. Companies in the industry are exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning and are looking for data scientists and architects to help manage their data. There is a shortage of skilled domestic talent, and employers may have to look overseas to secure the needed talent. However, the global pandemic makes travelling and relocation even more difficult, besides the policy to prioritise the opportunity for local employees.

Hot Tech Recruitment Trends

1. Software Engineers

Strong software engineers are always needed for global internet companies and local technology start-ups. Companies are willing to pay good salary packages, benefits and stock options for talented and experienced software engineers. Moreover, DevOps and SRE are also hottest positions due to the development of cloud computing. DevOps engineers connect developers and operation experiences with up-to-date knowledge about the newest cloud infrastructure innovations to provide optimal and consistent environments. And so do the Network Engineer and Data Centre Engineer since infrastructure plays a more critical role in supporting the operation of data services.

As companies within and beyond Singapore review short and long-term project requirements through the lens of enhancing the customer experience, roles in development, UX and design, customer engagement, product management and business analysis are highly sought-after. Demand remains strong for staff who can support and help build the organisation’s digital capabilities from the ground up, such as cloud platform transformation and DevOps. They also need experts to help avert future digital issues and consider governance and privacy policies before developing an app or website.

2. Product Managers

The growth of SEA’s digital economy has accelerated tremendously. A recent Google-Temasek study estimated that the eCommerce industry in SEA will reach USD 186 billion by 2025. The year of lockdowns, restrictions, and social distancing has pushed more consumers online. The once-gradual growth of digital commerce saw a dramatic spike in 2021 as brick-and-mortar stores suddenly had to rely on online sales for survival.  We are now witnessing e-commerce businesses expanding both regionally and globally.

As tech businesses within and beyond Singapore accelerated their digital transformation plans, product managers were elevated to more strategic roles in their organisations. Great product managers typically need a broad range of knowledge across every aspect of the product development process. But with the role increasing in importance and organisations developing larger product teams, we will see a growing specialisation as product managers begin to focus on specified areas. Product-related job ads demonstrate that businesses are already seeking specialists in areas like penalisation, platform components, enterprise level, user growth, mobile experience, and operations.

3. Future – AI Scientists

Singapore is certainly keen to hitch the AI arena and reap the rewards of enhanced automation and efficiency. However, our executive search specialists in Singapore foresee that companies will stay in the initiation phase for now, with businesses waiting to ascertain how disruptors fare before taking the leap. By preparing and specialising in the vital pillars for AI success (1. following official and ethical rules, 2. keeping watch on machine bias, and 3. protecting the access cycle), businesses will remain at the forefront of tech innovation. Appreciating and following guidelines with their own data security measures will also help companies kickstart their journey to an AI-centric future.

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing are at the forefront of innovation, artificial intelligence architects, artificial intelligence engineers, and cloud solution experts will become the most popular technology professionals in 2022, especially in Singapore. This is further reinforced by the Singapore government’s technology initiatives, including the “Smart Nation” programme, which further accelerated talent demand.

Navigating the Tech Industry of the Future

Nowadays, it is almost impossible to talk about artificial intelligence without mentioning cloud computing, and vice versa. One of the biggest goals for technology professionals this year will be to increase business flexibility by using AI models to support cloud computing deployments. There is now a firm focus on artificial intelligence engineering to ensure the reliability and scalability of artificial intelligence models. Artificial intelligence is expected to affect IT operations, software development, and DevOps greatly.

As more companies set up core R&D positions in Singapore, top-notch AI candidates have also become popular.  For instance, with many international companies choosing to set up AI Labs or departments in Singapore, top local AI scientists will be able to find job positions suitable for their career development within the country. At the same time, top scientists from overseas research institutions will be attracted to settle in Singapore, making the country more competitive in the future development of the AI industry.

As AI becomes increasingly pivotal for business success, effectively leveraging its power enables firms to stay ahead of the curve. However, keeping abreast of industry trends in this rapidly evolving technology landscape is just one piece of the puzzle. Building a strong team with the right AI science talents is the key to unlocking the full potential of technology adoption.

For more tailored insights to navigate the evolving changes and stay ahead of the pack, connect with JC Consulting today.