Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Principal Software Engineer Distributed Systems (Singapore China)
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Principal Software Engineer will design, build and lead highly scalable distributed systems supporting Standard Chartered’s global banking platforms across Singapore and China. Requirements typically include a degree in computer science or a related discipline, extensive experience with Java, Kotlin, Go, or similar languages, and strong knowledge of microservices, cloud platforms, APIs, databases, messaging systems, and site reliability practices. The candidate should understand system architecture, security, performance engineering, and continuous delivery. The role expects technical leadership, clear communication, effective collaboration with international teams, mentoring of engineers, and ownership of reliable production services. Experience in financial services, high-volume platforms, and agile delivery would be advantageous.
Can I work in Singapore?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Employment Pass: SGD 6,200+ a month in banking at 23, more with age (6,600 from January 2027), plus 40 COMPASS points for pay, degree, nationality mix and local hiring.
Before you apply: Dealing, advising and senior roles usually need a regulator's licence or approval, which checks your honesty, skills and finances. Ask if your job does.
Watch for: You score 0 nationality points when your nationality is 25% or more of the firm's professionals and managers; the job is usually advertised to locals for 14 days first.
Official source: Ministry of Manpower: Employment Pass eligibility. Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Singapore
Usual for Banking jobs in Singapore, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Not usual; senior expats may get an allowance; Work Permit staff: employer must ensure proper housing (by law) |
|---|---|
| Relocation | Work Permit staff: employer pays levy, bond and insurance (by law); relocation help is an expat perk |
| Flights | Work Permit staff: flight home paid by the employer (by law); others only if the offer says so |
| Contract | Work Permit up to 2 years; S Pass and Employment Pass up to 2, then 3; notice 1 day to 4 weeks by default |
| Leave | 7 to 14 days (by law; many get more); 11 public holidays; 14 days' sick leave, 60 in hospital |
| Income tax | 0% up to SGD 20,000 a year, then 2% to 24% (about 3% at SGD 60,000); resident rates on a 1-year pass |
| Health cover | Employer must insure Work Permit and S Pass staff, SGD 60,000 a year (by law); Employment Pass: company plan |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered is an international banking group headquartered in London, with a strong presence across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and other growth markets. The bank provides retail, private, commercial, and corporate banking, as well as financial markets and wealth management services. Singapore is one of its major global hubs and supports technology, operations, risk, product, and banking activities for the wider group. Standard Chartered is investing in digital transformation, cloud engineering, data, cybersecurity, and modern banking platforms. Its technology teams work with colleagues across multiple countries to develop secure, scalable products for customers and internal users. The company generally promotes international collaboration, inclusion, professional development, and responsible banking, although specific working conditions and benefits vary by role, level, and location.