Gao Shuang is the engineering lead in the Business Partner and Solution team within the Technology Department at GIC. In her role as engineering lead supporting the Front Office, she is responsible for building a robust engineering team, promoting a culture of best practices, and enhancing the overall product quality for front office users. Her goals include increasing system stability, improving efficiency, ensuring consistency across business departments, and fostering innovation through continuous improvement.
Outside of work, Gao Shuang enjoys reading and spending quality time with her daughter as they explore Singapore together. Having relocated to Singapore in March 2024, she looks forward to discovering all that the city has to offer.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
Before joining, I was aware of GIC’s strong reputation as a leading institutional investor with a global outlook. Its association with the Singapore government gave me confidence in its stability, influence, and commitment to excellence. I saw GIC as an organisation that not only plays a vital role in the financial world, but also upholds high standards of professionalism and integrity.
During the interview process, my positive impression was reinforced by meeting colleagues who embodied an open, inclusive, and people-centric culture. I was impressed by how my views were welcomed by senior leadership, and I sensed a genuine organisational commitment to elevating the engineering culture—a journey I was eager to be part of.
After joining, I discovered that GIC is even more international, inclusive, and passionate about driving meaningful change than I had imagined. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of GIC’s role and its impact on Singapore, which has made me feel even more responsible and motivated in my work.
What does your typical workday look like?
I spend a significant amount of time shaping our technology roadmap, leading design discussions, and working closely with stakeholders to ensure we’re delivering impactful solutions aligned with GIC’s strategic goals. Mentoring engineers and nurturing a strong, positive team culture is also a big part of my role — I believe that organizational growth comes from investing in both technical and personal development. Continuous learning is woven into my daily routine, keeping me sharp and enabling me to lead by example as we navigate new challenges and opportunities.
What do you like most about working here?
What I appreciate most about working at GIC is the opportunity to drive high-impact engineering efforts alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team. We share a long-term vision and work together to tackle complex challenges, building systems that are not only technically robust but also strategically aligned with GIC’s mission.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
The learning and development culture at GIC is truly empowering. There is a strong emphasis on continuous growth, both through formal programs and informal knowledge sharing. I’ve found that everyone is encouraged to pursue new skills, stay curious, and push the boundaries of what we can achieve together. Support for learning is evident at every level, and it’s inspiring to be part of an organisation that invests so much in the growth of its people.
What skills or knowledge have you developed while working at GIC?
My entire career prior to GIC was focused on public markets, so one of the most exciting aspects of joining GIC has been expanding my role to include private markets. This transition has been a tremendous learning journey. Gaining exposure to the unique dynamics and workflows of private market investments has broadened my perspective as a front office engineering lead. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of how technology enables and supports investment strategies across both public and private markets, and I’ve grown as a leader by adapting to new challenges and collaborating with diverse teams.
What are some highlights in your career thus far?
One of the main highlights of my career at GIC has been leading initiatives to build robust, secure, and efficient systems that scale with the firm’s growth. At the same time, I’ve been focused on shaping a high-performance engineering organisation — uplifting our engineering culture and creating an environment where engineers are inspired to grow, innovate, and thrive. Seeing the team come together to deliver impactful solutions and knowing that we’re building the foundation for GIC’s future success has been incredibly fulfilling.
What you should know before joining GIC
Be clear about your purpose and what you want to build—GIC values people who are mission-driven, thoughtful, and committed to making a long-term impact. If you are curious, open to learning, and passionate about building meaningful systems, you will find GIC to be a place where you can truly thrive and make a difference.