Job Description

Engineering Lead

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your tech career? Interested in creating next-generation cybersecurity capabilities? If so, consider applying to join HSBC’s Cybersecurity Technology and Engineering (CTE) team.

Cybersecurity Technology and Engineering at HSBC is responsible for deploying solutions that defend the organisation, its customers, clients, partners, and staff against a wide range of threats. Working collaboratively with partner teams across HSBC, we implement innovative defensive capabilities that are both effective and adaptable in a constantly evolving threat landscape. Guided by our vision—to enable HSBC to be safely successful everywhere the firm chooses to do business—our function is central to the bank’s commitment to security.

Role Purpose

As Engineering Lead (GCB4), you’ll lead a technology site and a global delivery portfolio spanning Quantum Computing/Quantum Communications (incl. Satellite Quantum Key Distribution), Post‑ Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Advanced Compute, and AI/ML/GenAI-enabled banking solutions You’ll be accountable for building and scaling high-performing engineering teams, delivering measurable business outcomes, and ensuring strong governance, resilience, and regulatory compliance across a 24/7 banking environment.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical skills, an eagerness to learn, a keen interest in cybersecurity, the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, and an aptitude for picking up new tools and techniques on the job, building on existing skillsets as a foundation.

Responsibilities:

Key accountabilities (what you’ll be responsible for)

1) Decision scope (GCB4 expectations)

• Sets delivery strategy and execution approach for the site and assigned global portfolio.

• Owns prioritisation trade-offs across scope, time, cost, and risk; escalates with clear options and recommendations.

• Accountable for operational readiness and control adherence for delivered capabilities.

2) Technology site leadership & operating model

• Set direction, culture, standards, and execution cadence.

• Build a sustainable operating model across engineering, delivery, operations, and controls (incl. incident, change, and release governance).

• Partner with HR, Finance, Risk/Compliance, and Procurement to run the team effectively (workforce planning, budgeting, controls, vendor governance).

3) Portfolio delivery ownership (end-to-end)

• Own delivery for a portfolio across quantum programmes, advanced compute platforms, and AI/ML solutions aligned to business priorities.

• Establish portfolio governance: OKRs/KPIs, RAID, dependency management, executive reporting, and decision forums.

• Drive predictable delivery outcomes across multiple teams and geographies using agile-at-scale and modern engineering practices.

4) Quantum programmes: Satellite QKD & PQC migration

• Lead Satellite QKD initiatives from concept to pilot to operationalisation (where viable), including architecture alignment, security controls, and operational readiness.

• Drive PQC readiness and migration across enterprise banking ecosystems: crypto inventory, crypto-agility patterns, prioritised remediation, and rollout governance.

• Ensure quantum risk governance in partnership with Cyber Security, Architecture, Risk, and Compliance (audit-ready evidence, control mapping, regulatory alignment).

5) Advanced compute & platform engineering

• Build/scale advanced compute capabilities (accelerated compute, hybrid/cloud patterns, high-throughput platforms) to support quantum simulation and AI/ML workloads.

• Embed DevSecOps, SRE, observability, automation, and reliability engineering to improve resilience and reduce operational risk.

• Optimise performance and cost-to-serve through capacity planning, demand forecasting, and platform standardisation.

6) Talent, leadership, and culture

• Recruit and scale teams (engineering, platform, delivery, security-aligned roles) and build a strong internal talent pipeline.

• Set a high-performance culture: clear standards, coaching, succession planning, and measurable capability uplift.

• Champion inclusion and collaboration across regions and disciplines.

Essential experience

• Senior technology delivery/engineering leadership experience in large-scale enterprises; strong preference for regulated financial services.

• Proven technology leadership (or equivalent multi-team leadership) with accountability for outcomes, controls, and culture.

• Track record delivering complex, multi-year transformation programmes across platforms and products

• Strong experience leading security-aligned programmes (cryptography, secure communications, identity/key management, or large-scale security uplift).

• Demonstrated ability to build and scale global teams and manage cross-border delivery.

Essential skills & knowledge

• Portfolio/programme delivery leadership, agile-at-scale, dependency management, governance, and executive communication.

• Platform engineering, DevSecOps, SRE/operations, automation, CI/CD, and quality engineering.

• Risk and control mindset: audit readiness, evidence-based governance, and regulated delivery discipline.

• Stakeholder leadership across Technology, Business, Operations, Risk, Compliance, HR, Finance, and Procurement.

Desirable (nice to have)

• Hands-on exposure to PQC, crypto-agility patterns, or quantum communications concepts (QKD).

• Experience with advanced compute/HPC/accelerated workloads supporting AI/ML or simulation.

• Experience delivering GenAI solutions with strong governance and data controls.

Education / qualifications

• Degree in Physics/Computer Science/Engineering (or equivalent experience). Postgraduate qualification preferred.

• Relevant certifications beneficial (cloud, security, programme management, agile).