For those interested in buying or selling their flats, the HDB Flat Portal is often the first point of contact. It provides information on everything from the latest Build-to-Order (BTO) launches to assessing financial eligibility and processing housing applications, serving as a hub that guides customers through their housing journey.

Behind this platform is a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals committed to ensuring the portal operates smoothly and delivers a seamless user experience for millions of Singaporeans. Among them is Ernest, who joined the statutory board after completing his studies overseas as an HDB Undergraduate Scholar. He now serves as a Software Engineer in the Application Engineering Section. Ernest’s primary responsibilities include developing applications on a robust and scalable cloud infrastructure. In simpler terms, he facilitates the sale of HDB flats on the portal, ensuring users access accurate information while streamlining backend processes for staff.

He joined HDB to help Singaporeans achieve their lifelong dream of becoming homeowners. “HDB plays such an integral role in shaping the lives of so many Singaporeans, and I wanted to be part of that mission, using my technical skills to help improve housing experiences for future generations,” he said.

Gaining Enriching Experiences Abroad

Ernest was drawn to the HDB Undergraduate Scholarship for its unique opportunity to study at University of California (UC), Berkeley, a leading institution for computer science. With his tuition, compulsory fees and living expenses covered, he was able to fully immerse himself in his studies and enjoy a fulfilling student life.

During his time at UC Berkeley, he joined the Codeology student club, collaborating on tech consulting projects with classmates. “Living and studying abroad helped me build resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills,” he reflected.

As part of his work-study experience, he completed two internship stints at HDB and also collaborated with external companies like Pipe and Canva. Working with some of the world’s largest tech firms provided him with valuable professional exposure and taught him essential skills such as efficient communication, agility, and creative problem-solving.

Throughout his studies, Ernest explored various fields within computer science and ultimately chose software engineering as his career path. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and joined HDB as a software engineer thereafter.

Driving Innovation Through Collaboration

At HDB, Ernest begins his workday with a team meeting to discuss ongoing tasks and challenges. He spends most of his work hours coding, whether enhancing the HDB Flat Portal or building automation pipelines to streamline workflows for internal teams. The Portal digitises flat application processes, including eligibility checks and flat applications, making the entire experience more efficient for users.

“For HDB staff, the portal automates many of the manual checks and processes, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks and policy decisions. I envision the portal becoming an indispensable tool for HDB staff, driving efficiency and user satisfaction,” Ernest enthused.

Collaboration is crucial in developing a robust and user- friendly product like the HDB Flat Portal. “It’s not just about coding in isolation. We work closely with policy teams to ensure that our technology aligns with housing policies, and with user experience teams to make the platform intuitive,” he revealed.

One of his most memorable projects was improving the automated testing framework for the HDB Flat Portal. “The automated tests significantly reduce the time spent on manual testing, enabling faster deployment of new features. It’s rewarding because it involves integrating multiple services to ensure they work together seamlessly,” he noted.

Ernest is grateful for the support he receives and enjoys the collaborative and purpose-driven work culture. “HDB has been incredibly supportive, providing me with opportunities to learn and grow in my role,” he remarked. “Whether it’s through formal training programmes or on-the-job experience, I’ve been able to deepen my technical skills while also developing leadership qualities.” He emphasised that the variety of projects has helped him grow not only as a software engineer but also as a problem-solver and collaborator.

For those interested in applying for the HDB scholarship, he highlights that there is a wide range of opportunities available, including roles in software development, data science, and policymaking, all of which contribute to improving Singapore’s public housing. “The chance to work on large-scale, impactful projects and collaborate with experts across different fields makes it an exciting place to build a career,” he shared.