Elect. Eng PhD seeking job in SP

[Nando]

Canadian in California curious about SP
(I assume SP still has electricity, 'cause Cali ran out!).
I have 10 years experience in medical device R&D and product development. Most posted EE positions are either too junior or are for programmers. Any good contacts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Gurke]

Hi,

it's correct that Singapore still has electricity...

I am an electrical engineer (hardware, embedded stuff, majoring in telecomms) working here in Singaproe for 4.5 years.

From my experience the R&D field here in Singapore is not great. We have a lot of contract manufacturing here. (now going to change). A lot of e-business (programming), systemintegration (programming again) and so on. But not that much R&D or product development.

I would try the big players, like Siemens, Motorola, Delphi. Siemens is doing medical devices here in Singapore. But I have no details on hand. Or try the universities here, they have sometimes independent reseach facilities like the Center for Wireless Communication.

But please make sure that you don't end up in a situation like me. I signed with a local system integrator, planned was R&D for car navigation systems, department closed down after 6 month, now I am doing system integration.. how exciting!?! Argghhhhhh.

Another thing to think about .... Engineers are here basically to make things happen. The treatment is like this as well. Your worthfull opinion/experience is basically not requested. So if you are used to be on an equal level like your project manager be prepared that this will be here not like this.

But this is of course only my opinion which is based on the things how I see them and previous experience.

Check out the company carefully before you sign anything. Money is not everything.

Keep on smiling   and I hope I could help.

[Nando]

Thanks Gurke for the tips and insights.
You confirmed my limited experience so far.
It appears that SP companies and gov are trying to increase the R&D spending so maybe there's hope yet.

[Gurke]

That's true, Singapore is looking into this topic alread and try to do more in the R&D field.
But it is fact that in this time we are going through another recetion and we experience already job cuts and so on...
Of course that referes first to the not so skilled ....
Another point is that the mentality here doesn't allow room for risk which is somehow related to R&D.
Example, to automate a vending machine we use here a Pentium III if possible. A 8051 uP would do, but there are these horrible compilers, worst assembler... Not so many people know how to do this stuff... Better we use a PC platform everybody knows.

But of course with a little bit of carefull research it is still possible to find an interesting job, especially with your experience.

Otherwise live is quite OK here. People are frendly, always hot (if you like it hot). It is definetely a thought worth... I got to know my wife here... what is not that bad either.... Actually great....

One more thing: Beer, cars and flat are quite expensive here....
 
OK, do your homework (search for a suitable company) and I think you will like it here.

 

[Haan]

That's true, Singapore is looking into this topic alread and try to do more in the R&D field.
But it is fact that in this time we are going through another recetion and we experience already job cuts and so on...
Of course that referes first to the not so skilled ....
Another point is that the mentality here doesn't allow room for risk which is somehow related to R&D.
Example, to automate a vending machine we use here a Pentium III if possible. A 8051 uP would do, but there are these horrible compilers, worst assembler... Not so many people know how to do this stuff... Better we use a PC platform everybody knows.

But of course with a little bit of carefull research it is still possible to find an interesting job, especially with your experience.

Otherwise live is quite OK here. People are frendly, always hot (if you like it hot). It is definetely a thought worth... I got to know my wife here... what is not that bad either.... Actually great....

One more thing: Beer, cars and flat are quite expensive here....
 
OK, do your homework (search for a suitable company) and I think you will like it here.

PS: If you get konfused (Gurke=Haan), I have two accounts.