Boku Inc. (BOKU.L) is the leading global provider of local mobile-first payments solutions. Global brands including Amazon, DAZN, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Sony, Spotify, and Tencent rely on Boku to reach millions of new paying consumers who do not use credit cards with our purpose-built payment network of more than 300 local payment methods across 70+ countries. Every year, Boku processes over $10 billion in value for our customers. Incorporated in 2008, Boku is headquartered in London and San Francisco and has employees in over 39 countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE. Boku is a truly global company that takes pride in its diversity and thriving equal opportunity workplace.
Department: Innovation Hub (Singapore)
Reports To: VP Foreign Exchange
Direct Reports: Engineering Leads (initially by domain: Blockchain/Web3, AI/ML, FX, Platform)
Location: Singapore
Role Purpose
The Innovation Hub is a strategic growth initiative based in Singapore, tasked with exploring and launching transformative capabilities in digital payments, FX, and money movement infrastructure. With a focus on cross-border innovation, the hub will pioneer technologies such as stablecoins, AI-driven FX models, and blockchain settlement frameworks — enabling Boku and its partners to move faster, more securely and more cost-efficiently across emerging markets.
The Head of Technology will be responsible for leading the Hub’s engineering strategy and technical execution — from early experimentation through to deployment of scalable MVPs. This role will own the selection and build-out of tools, platforms and technical practices that enable a high-velocity, innovation-led delivery environment.
Working in lockstep with the Heads of Operations and Product, the role ensures technology is not only a delivery function, but a core enabler of Boku’s growth through experimentation, automation and speed.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Strategy and Execution
- Define and own the innovation hub’s engineering architecture and tooling stack.
- Lead technology scoping, prototyping and build cycles across FX, blockchain, stablecoin and AI-led initiatives.
- Partner with Product to assess feasibility, complexity and delivery options for new concepts and experiments.
- Platform and Engineering Enablement
- Build modular, cloud-native components that can be tested and scaled quickly.
- Implement secure-by-design protocols and scalable APIs for experimentation with regulated and unregulated flows.
- Introduce modern DevSecOps practices to reduce friction and improve iteration speed.
- Team Formation and Management
- Recruit and mentor a high-performing team of engineers, including frontend, backend, DevOps, and domain specialists (AI/ML, Web3).
- Establish agile, fast-paced development culture with clear rituals and cadences.
- Embed practices for code quality, documentation and testing that support both innovation and future scale.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Ops and Product leads to shape delivery roadmaps and resource allocation.
- Partner with Boku Core Engineering to ensure technical alignment and reduce duplication where relevant.
- Represent the hub’s technology agenda in working groups with GLT, Legal, InfoSec and Risk.
Measures of Success
- 3 MVPs delivered in 2026.
- Engineering team onboarded and contributing within 90 days of hub setup.
- Innovation development cycle established (discovery to MVP) with agreed quality gates.
- At least two new technical capabilities reusable by core Boku product or merchant solutions.
- All platform builds comply with MAS/EDB audit and data security obligations.
Key Skills, Experience and Competencies
- Hands-on engineering leadership: Proven ability to build and scale systems from scratch; experience with early-stage tech validation and prototyping.
- Deep technical breadth: Fluency in emerging technologies across Web3, stablecoins, distributed ledgers, open banking APIs, and AI/ML use cases in fintech or payments.
- Startup mindset, enterprise rigour: Able to operate in ambiguity and build frameworks where none exist, while understanding the requirements of governance, compliance and audit.
- Cloud-native engineering: Deep familiarity with modern cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP), containerisation, microservices and CI/CD pipelines.
- Security-aware development: Knowledge of secure coding, data protection, and compliance standards in regulated environments.
- Collaborative influence: Strong communicator with experience working cross-functionally across product, compliance, operations and strategy functions.
Qualifications (Essential / Desirable)
- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
- Proven track record of building technical teams or innovation capabilities, ideally within a fintech, blockchain, or cross-border payments context.
- Experience working in or with Singapore-based innovation hubs or MAS/EDB grant programmes is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with working in a matrixed global organisation.
