DSTA (under Mindef)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

MAC is very very very attractive... Some can draw 3-4 mths of bonuses more each yr...

Most of us do.
We love the bonuses at DSTA.

Just curious?

Market Adjustment Component(MAC), is it given in the form of additional bonus or in the form of additional increment to basic salary?

which one is true.....this thread here got double standard?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just curious?

Market Adjustment Component(MAC), is it given in the form of additional bonus or in the form of additional increment to basic salary?

which one is true.....this thread here got double standard?

Can be both, got adjustment increments and one off bonuses. Basically if you're at DSTA they will make sure your annual package is well above the mean of the industry. And you will also never be retrenched.

However there's a price to pay for that. Most of my friends complain for years that they don't learn anything substantial there and has no job satisfaction yet continue to stay there.

If you just want a stable comfortable life and can put up with bureaucracy and red tape this is a good place to be at.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can be both, got adjustment increments and one off bonuses. Basically if you're at DSTA they will make sure your annual package is well above the mean of the industry. And you will also never be retrenched.

However there's a price to pay for that. Most of my friends complain for years that they don't learn anything substantial there and has no job satisfaction yet continue to stay there.

If you just want a stable comfortable life and can put up with bureaucracy and red tape this is a good place to be at.

1) Correct. MAC can take either of the forms.
Additional point being that "industry" also encompasses the environment internal to DSTA. Some people, for one reason or another, fall behind other comparable members within DSTA. So that is taken care of by MAC.

2) Not true. Perhaps your friends have not fought for their own progression and development. The fact that they continue to stay despite being unsatisfied may suggest that that is their nature.
Personally, I insisted on learning valuable technologies and that put me in good stead when I decided it was time for me to leave.

3) Maybe I was lucky - I did not experience bureaucracy and red tape. That also wasn't a general problem, by the way.
People who are interested in going to DSTA shouldn't consider this as a negative factor.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

1) Correct. MAC can take either of the forms.
Additional point being that "industry" also encompasses the environment internal to DSTA. Some people, for one reason or another, fall behind other comparable members within DSTA. So that is taken care of by MAC.

2) Not true. Perhaps your friends have not fought for their own progression and development. The fact that they continue to stay despite being unsatisfied may suggest that that is their nature.
Personally, I insisted on learning valuable technologies and that put me in good stead when I decided it was time for me to leave.

3) Maybe I was lucky - I did not experience bureaucracy and red tape. That also wasn't a general problem, by the way.
People who are interested in going to DSTA shouldn't consider this as a negative factor.

I think our definition of bureaucracy is different. It is the very essence of our public service. Unless you tell me you can make decisions yourself without having to attend multiple forums? DSTA is very conservative so there is little to no empowerment of the rank and file. Again our definitions may be different of empowerment but I'm comparing to the private sector companies I've since worked at.

In terms of learning, what can be learnt at DSTA in terms of technical knowledge is way below that in the private sector, though that is because I hopped to foreign MNCs. I find that the "technical" knowledge I learnt at DSTA is superficial. The only thing I learnt there is project mgmt and soft skills and if that is your chosen path then it's good transferable knowledge. Otherwise look elsewhere.

[cslee]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I know DSTA pay is high but I seriously doubt it's that high at 110k for average 6th year guy. There's a diff between the projected pay of a fresh engineer joining now in 6 years time, and one that joined 6 years ago. If you earn $110k in 6 years time that is around $92k in today's dollars, which is roughly the amount I think a current 6th year engineer in DSTA is drawing now for an average performer.

I used to be from DSTA and my estimate based on my friends is that a current 6th year average engineer is drawing around $5500 to $6000 basic /mth, with total bonus incl of aws of around 4 mths this year.

Pay progression beyond 6th year is uncertain, since there is a ceiling for most people, and switching out is hard when all your experience is in defence proj mgmt.

Any genuine DSTA employees feel free to comment on the ranges as I'm also v interested to know.

So far, there is no info on the ceiling, which is matter most to serious long term employees i.e. not those who jump in and out for quick bucks. From what I read, it seems that DSTA progression is faster than rest of CS e.g. just reach ceiling faster or ceiling is way above?

Is the ceiling for average engineers way above (or comparable) to civil service? For example, from another thread, the CEP of an average graduate in CS is MX10. And the ceiling of MX10 is just under $11K.

just a curious question, civil servants received a total of 2.5 mths of bonus in year 2013.

so did DSTA employees receive the same 2.5 mths bonus? if not how much was the bonus in 2013?

[Nhah]

Does dsta consider 2 years NS as working experience or 0 for fresh graduates?

Anyone knows the pay increment of a average performer of a fresh grad working as Procurement executive? would be so grateful for any genuine replies.
Thanks!!

Let me share the average performer in dso. first class.
4 yr experience. usually band 3, last year claimed to have gotten band 2.

jul 2009 - 3700, year 0
jul 2010 - ~4200 (band 3, market adjustment)
jul 2011 - ~4500 (band 3, promote one grade)
jul 2012 - ~4700 (band 3)
jul 2013 - ~5000 (band 2)

band 3: 4.5months including aws
band 2: 5.5months including aws
band 1: not sure. heard it's between 6-12.

Waiting for more DSO/DSTA ppl to share.