DSTA (under Mindef)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

from local GLC, 2.2 with NS, 8yrs relevant exp, request for annual package 96k (note that current 1st class with NS 5k already for fresh grad).

no offer

Anyone has an updated payscale for second class upper grads for this year?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Anyone has an updated payscale for second class upper grads for this year?

Interested in this. Does anyone know the payscale for procurement execs?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

4 years
100 to 120K

That's highly paid consider majority of the engineers in private companies with 4 years experience not even close to 100k per annum. DSTA is seriously playing well.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

That's highly paid consider majority of the engineers in private companies with 4 years experience not even close to 100k per annum. DSTA is seriously playing well.

Assuming C grader 3 mths bonus, 100k/(12+3+1) = 6.2k in 4 years??

Thats rather high after 4 years. How much did they bump the pay from engineer to snr engineer?

anyone went for interview can share the interview questions?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

But I believe it's not easy getting in and they do only hire above average candidates

My Uni classmate got in with only "pass with merit" Engineering degree from NTU. If you are interested, just apply. Don't worry so much about not having good honors.

DSTA is so lacking in applicants, they started recruiting undergraduates a few years back. Offering undergraduates money and contracts to lock them in like SAF and Police. That is how desperate they are.

They need SINGAPOREAN Engineers. Limited pool of people to recruit from, hence the above average pay. Good thing is the company will never replace you with cheap FT engineers. There are projects that can only be handled by SINGAPOREANS. Bad thing is the skills are not transferable. Once you leave, you may have to start over.

I used to place DSTA as my backup plan, in case my first few career choices didn't pan out.

[seeker]

May I know where does the Corporate Service dept resides as I notice DSTA has 3 offices, located at Science Pk, Depot Rd and Jalan Bukit Merah.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have a mechanical engineering pass degree from local U. Have six and half years experience in facility management and currently drawing close to SGD$115,000 per year. Will there be a chance for me join DSTA? I would like to have a career in public sector.

May I know where u working currently?

Hey all, noticed a lot of questions about wait time and interviews here, so I thought I'd share my own experience. I'm a fresh grad from SUTD with 2nd upper Hons, degree equivalent to mech eng. I applied for the position of armament engineer. Received an interview invitation roughly 2 weeks after sending in my resume, and my job offer 2 days after the interview. Even though G50 was submitted promptly, clearance took a whole month; I actually got worried they would backtrack on the offer due to the communications blackout during that period. I only recently got a call from DSTA inviting my to sign in about a weeks time. My advice for anyone waiting for an offer is to continue job hunting in the meantime. Their HR efficiency is awful and if it turns out they're not interested in you, you just wasted 1 month or maybe worse.

Regarding the interview, it really isn't hard at all if you're even remotely prepared. I had a 3-man panel which included someone from HR and the directors I will be working under; atmosphere was casual and relaxed. Important point to note is that you really MUST show an interest in defense tech, and be prepared to show examples to prove it. Would recommend browsing thru Jane's Defense a bit before heading for the interview. Questions asked included "why dsta?", "tell me more about the modules you learnt during uni", "what are you currently doing at the moment?". Basically, questions asked are simple but don't be stupid and go in without prep.

Regarding pay, I was offered 4.9k for my 2nd upper, which by all measures is extremely reasonable. However, like what many have said, skills transferability is poor and I dont expect I will be staying in this job for more than 2-3 years. My interviewer told me there's very little design or engineering involved, most of it will be project management. Despite all this, dont discount a job at dsta because the economy is in the shitter right now and its only gonna get worse. An okay job is better than no job, and the compensation package is seriously nothing to scoff at.

tldr: If you're only applying now, expect to wait ~2 months before starting work if they offer you. Interview is simple but dont be an idiot. You won't learn much in the way of engineering at dsta but its still a pretty good job for a fresh grad.

Hope this helps some of you out there.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Interested in this. Does anyone know the payscale for procurement execs?

$3400 for a female (second upper)