Tan Nai Kwan is a seasoned engineering leader with over 25 years of experience in autonomous systems, robotics, and defence technologies. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President and Head of the Innovation Office at ST Engineering Land Systems, he leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers dedicated to advancing autonomous technologies that deliver real-world impact across defence and commercial sectors.

Nai Kwan began his career in 2000 as an Engineer in the Ordnance Development Engineering (ODE), where he was involved in software programming for fire control systems used in self-propelled howitzers and mortar systems. Over the years, he progressed through various engineering and leadership roles, gaining deep domain expertise in battlefield management systems, classified equipment integration, and unmanned land systems.

From 2010 to 2017, Nai Kwan served as the Head of the Unmanned Land Systems Centre, where he played a pivotal role in building up the competencies and capabilities of unmanned technologies for land defence. His leadership continued to evolve as he took on strategic roles such as Deputy General Manager and Robotics Chief Engineer, where he outlined technological visions and implemented strategies for autonomous and robotics solutions.

Between 2021 and 2023, Nai Kwan was appointed Chief Technology Officer of Autonomous Solutions, where he spearheaded the development and deployment of autonomous bus technologies, aligning technical resources with business needs. He later led the Capabilities Group and the Robotics Solution Business, consolidating various robotics and unmanned systems units into a unified business entity and driving growth.

In his current role, Nai Kwan champions innovation by fostering collaborations with leading research institutes and industry partners. His team has achieved excellence in areas such as vehicle intelligence, fleet management, robotics system integration, and system safety. He is also actively expanding ST Engineering’s global footprint in autonomous solutions to benefit cities worldwide.

Nai Kwan holds a Master of Science in Defence Technology and Systems from the National University of Singapore, and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.