Yiying

I studied Business Analytics at the National University of Singapore. The course was data science centric and we applied machine learning techniques, such as clustering and predictive modelling, to real-world data sets, to provide actionable insights that could help businesses improve profitability through strategic decision-making. Given my data science background, I did see myself working in the financial sector. It is an industry deeply driven by numbers, and the growing impact of machine learning presents many exciting opportunities to drive revenue growth and profit strategy. 

While I envisioned myself working at Goldman Sachs during my early school years, I didn't picture myself as a software engineer. This perception changed during my job search. When I read how Goldman Sachs described its Engineering roles - "Build innovations that drive our business and financial markets worldwide. Solve the most challenging and pressing engineering problems for our clients", I was instantly drawn to it. What resonated with me was the emphasis on problem-solving rather than purely technical expertise. Goldman Sachs’ approach led to a shift in my mindset, and I applied. In June 2018, I joined the firm as a New Associate Programme Analyst (NAPA) in the Singapore office. Over the past years, I’ve transitioned between teams twice—first to a sub-team within the same department, and then, to an entirely new department. Both times, I played a pioneering role in helping to establish the teams’ presence in Singapore. I was the first local member, working closely with my team manager to build and grow the team from the ground up to a seven-member task force. It was a challenging journey, but one I’m deeply proud of because I’ve had the opportunity to not only contribute technically, but also to help promote Goldman Sachs’ culture to new joiners. 

We have two offices in Singapore—one at One Raffles Link, which hosts most of our client-facing colleagues, and another near Tanjong Pagar that primarily houses our control-side federation teams. I spent my initial four years at the Tanjong Pagar office with my first two teams before moving to One Raffles Link to join my current team. When I joined Goldman Sachs in 2018, Engineering occupied just half of one floor in the Tanjong Pagar office. In just a few years, it has expanded to occupy two full floors, with a growing engineering presence at One Raffles Link as well. Within the engineering team, we not only focus on delivering excellent service to our clients, but also on fostering a collaborative and engaging work environment. 

I’m a software engineer responsible for maintaining and enhancing a suite of in-house trading systems. These systems are used by our traders to execute trades on global exchanges for listed derivative products, such as futures and options. I remember asking my interviewer what it's like to be a software engineer at Goldman Sachs. I was told that it goes beyond just writing code; it involves end-to-end ownership, from engaging with users to deploying solutions. This was a pleasant surprise, and I enjoy the real sense of ownership in my role. I love being able to speak directly with users, understand their pain points, and deliver solutions that make a real difference—whether it’s resolving recurring production issues or streamlining workflows to improve efficiency. What sets successful engineers apart is their ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, and collaborate well. 

Client service and partnership are core values in my role. We respond promptly to client needs and ensure our systems operate seamlessly. The flat hierarchy encourages open communication, and we have a firmwide mentoring programme. I’ve been fortunate to have Kim Cheah who’s a managing director within Engineering as my mentor. Despite her busy work schedule, Kim consistently checks in on my well-being and offers valuable career guidance that has nurtured my growth. Goldman Sachs puts great effort into creating an inclusive environment that feels like home.