Precision Engineering Jobs

The last few years have seen Singapore's Precision Engineering (PE) industry evolving leaps and bounds. The industry is filled with renowned players from contract manufacturers to full-solution service providers operating an entire value chain dealing in machinery, systems, precision modules and components.

If you're looking to make a career in the field of precision engineering, here are some of frequently asked questions about precision engineering jobs in Singapore.

✅ What is precision engineering?

Precision engineering refers to the discipline of designing machines/equipment that have high specifications, which need to be engineered in a precise way. These have become production process essentials, especially in environments where achieving high integrity and dimensional accuracy are major concerns.

The discipline is primarily involved with the design, manufacturing and measurement of highly specific parts for a variety of industries, including automotive, medical, aerospace, and oil and gas exploration among others.

✅ Is it a good choice to plan for a career in precision engineering?

Definitely. Precision engineering is a coveted career choice for engineers looking to make a career in designing processes, machines, fixtures and other equipment that have very low engineering tolerance and are repeatable and stable over time.

Building a career in the field of precision engineering allows the candidates to ensure that the prototypes are built and tested on time and make sure the designs meet system specifications and operational requirements.

✅ What are the qualifications required for a job in precision engineering?

Precision engineers need to have a bachelor's degree, master's degree or a PhD in any of the engineering fields such as mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering with a preference given to candidates with specialisation in Precision engineering.

Some of the specialisation courses that can help you get PE jobs include:

• Specialist diploma in precision engineering
• Graduate diploma in design and processes
• Operations management innovation (OMNI) programme

✅ What kind of skills and qualities do employers look for in precision engineering roles? 

Below are some of the qualities and skills you need for a career in precision engineering -

Knowledge

• Engineering principles: Precision engineers need to know engineering elements like replicability, functionality and costs about the design and how they can be applied in the completion of engineering projects.

• Detailed knowledge of precision engineering: The candidate needs to know engineering disciplines related to the fields of electrical engineering, software engineering, optical engineering, electronics engineering, and mechanical engineering that deal with the development of machines/equipment with very low tolerances.

• Project management: Understanding of project management and the activities which comprise this area including the variables in project management such as resources, time, requirements, and deadlines.

Skills

• Defining technical requirements: The candidate needs to possess the ability to understand and define technical specifications of materials, processes, services, methods, software and functionalities.

• Performing scientific research: Ability to gain or improve knowledge about a specific phenomenon by using scientific methods and techniques based on measurable observations.

• Managing engineering projects: Capability to manage engineering project resources, deadlines, budgets, human resources, and schedules along with technical activities pertinent to the project.

✅ What is the possible career progression one can expect in a precision engineering job?

Typically, you can expect to see your career trajectory as a precision engineer going through the following stages:

• Plant Manager
• Production/Section Manager
• Senior Engineer
• Engineer

The key responsibilities across these roles are:

• Using engineering principles and techniques to accurately design and develop machinery and components
• Implementing plans for improvement in productions
• Leveraging on technical and engineering skills to resolve issues and manage various engineering projects
• Complying with workplace safety and other regulatory requirements

✅ What’s the salary one can expect in a precision engineering job?

On average, a precision engineer makes S$5,300 in Singapore. The typical salary of a precision engineer in Singapore ranges from S$4, 900– S$8, 600. However, the salary varies significantly based on factors such as expertise, higher degree/certifications and experience.

✅ Which are the main industries that hire for precision engineering jobs in Singapore?

Graduates in precision engineering will typically be employed in various industries such as automotive, medical, aerospace, design, project management, CNC programming, manufacturing, metrology, and oil & gas exploration in the following roles -

• Applications engineer utilising CAD/CAM to maximise utilisation of various machines and tools
• Manufacturing engineer
• Design engineer and development of various complex components
• Materials engineer
• Production engineer
• CNC machinist and programmer
• Process control engineer
• Equipment test engineer
• Engineer in the medical device and life science industries

✅ Where to look for the best precision engineering jobs in Singapore?

Job boards such as BRAND_NAME Singapore are the best places to start your job search for precision engineering roles.

The website offers a detailed list of precision engineer jobs with all the relevant information including dedicated job location, min salary, max salary, part-time/full-time information mentioned in the job description.

✅ Which are the best keywords to search for precision engineering jobs?

Broad keyword search such as Precision Engineer would cover roles such as Precision Engineer, Senior Precision Engineer, Specialist Precision Engineer, and include more than 80% of the job openings.

However, in case a job opening is not tagged by the recruiters correctly, you could also consider other keywords with specific skills or in a certain location such as precision CNC machining specialist.

Singapore offers a range of excellent opportunities in the field of precision engineering to qualified candidates looking to make a career in the field. Right from aerospace and automotive to oil & gas exploration, precision engineers are required across major industries in Singapore.

Whether you're looking to build a rewarding career or wish to make a career transition in the field of precision engineering, enhancing your skill-set steadily and searching for the right jobs is the key to becoming a successful precision engineer.