Market Insights of Technology Industry in Singapore & Southeast Asia

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. As a result, established tech companies from China and the US are expanding their business in Southeast Asia (SEA) and making Singapore their regional headquarters.

Based on what we observe, companies in the industry are primarily exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning and are looking for data scientists and architects to help manage their data.

Top Tech Roles Companies Recruit For

1. Software Engineers

Strong software engineers are always needed for global internet companies and local technology start-ups. Companies are typically willing to pay good salary packages, benefits and stock options for talented and experienced software engineers. Beyond this, several other positions where observed demand is high include:

DevOps and SRE: Employers typically seek DevOps engineers who bring developer and operation experiences with up-to-date knowledge about the newest cloud infrastructure innovations to provide optimal and consistent environments. Demand for such roles is expected to rise as firms seek talent who can support and help build the organisation’s digital capabilities from the ground up or support the development of cloud computing capabilities.

Network Engineer and Data Centre Engineer: These roles are critical given the importance of infrastructure in supporting the operation of data services.

Development, UX and design, customer engagement, product management and business analysis: These roles will be highly sought-after as companies within and beyond Singapore review short- and long-term project requirements through the lens of enhancing the customer experience.

Besides these roles, we also anticipate growing demand for experts who can proactively address digital risks and integrate governance and privacy considerations when developing apps or websites.

2. Product Managers

The year of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing accelerated the shift toward online shopping. As a result, Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sectors and digital economy saw a dramatic surge in 2021, as brick-and-mortar stores suddenly had to depend on online sales for survival. Today, we’re also witnessing the aggressive regional and global expansion of e-commerce firms.

As tech companies within and beyond Singapore accelerate digital transformation, product managers are taking on more strategic roles. Traditionally expected to have broad knowledge across the product development process, product managers are now seeing their roles evolve. With organisations expanding their product teams, we can expect a shift toward greater specialisation in specific areas.

Interestingly, we are already starting to see a growing demand for specialists in areas like platform components, enterprise, user growth, mobile experience, and operations.

3. Future – AI Scientists

Singapore is keen to tap into the AI arena and reap the benefits of enhanced automation and efficiency. By focusing on the following key pillars for AI success, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of technological innovation:

• Adhering to official and ethical standards;

• Monitoring machine bias;

• Safeguarding the access cycle.

Aligning data security measures with these guidelines will also help companies kickstart their journey into an AI-driven future.

As AI and cloud computing continue to drive innovation, demand will rise for roles such as AI architects, AI engineers, and cloud solutions experts. This is particularly true in Singapore, where government technology initiatives like the “Smart Nation” programme are expected to create a conducive ecosystem for tech companies, further accelerating the demand for specialised talent.

Navigating the Tech Industry of the Future

As we look into the future, executive search team in Singapore anticipate that one of the primary goals for technology professionals will be to leverage AI models to support cloud computing deployments and increase business flexibility.

As more companies establish core R&D departments and labs in Singapore, competition for high-calibre AI talent is expected to intensify, creating more opportunities for talent to develop their careers within the country. At the same time, top scientists from leading overseas research institutions are likely to be drawn to Singapore, further boosting the competitiveness of its AI industry.

As AI becomes increasingly central to business success, firms that can effectively leverage its power will stay ahead of the curve. However, keeping up with industry trends in this rapidly evolving landscape is only part of the equation. Building a strong team with the right AI specialists remains key to unlocking the full potential of technology adoption.

For tailored insights on navigating these changes or support in recruiting tech talent, connect with our consultants today.