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 evolve highly scalable distributed systems supporting Standard Chartered’s digital banking platforms across Singapore and China. The role typically requires strong experience in software engineering, distributed architectures, cloud technologies, APIs, databases, automated testing and modern development practices. Candidates should be proficient in languages such as Java, Python, Go or similar, and understand reliability, performance, security and observability. Experience leading technical design, solving complex production problems and working across engineering, product and operations teams is expected. The successful candidate will provide technical direction, mentor engineers, promote engineering standards and deliver resilient solutions in a regulated banking environment. Experience with financial services, large-scale platforms and cross-border collaboration 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 and the Middle East. The bank provides retail, private, commercial and corporate banking, wealth management, financial markets and transaction banking services. Singapore is one of its major global hubs, supporting technology, operations, innovation and regional business activities. Standard Chartered invests heavily in digital banking and engineering to improve customer experiences, modernise platforms and strengthen financial services infrastructure. Its technology teams work with cloud computing, data, automation, cybersecurity and distributed systems while operating within strict regulatory and risk-management requirements. The organisation promotes international collaboration and offers opportunities to work with colleagues across multiple markets. Compensation commonly combines base salary, performance-related incentives and employee benefits, although the precise package depends on experience, grade and internal compensation policies.