Pursuing Growth Beyond Borders

At ST Engineering, exciting opportunities await our people as they help shape the future with innovative, breakthrough solutions for a more secure and sustainable world.  

Benjamin Wong, Manufacturing Engineer, Commercial Aerospace, a career with us opened doors to experiences far beyond his homeland. Now based at ST Engineering MRAS (MRAS) , our aerostructures manufacturing facility in Baltimore, U.S., he reflects on his transition to working in a different environment and shares his experiences working alongside international colleagues.  

Q: Hey, Benjamin. Tell us about the work you do.  

In my role, I bridge the gap between design and production, breaking down engineering blueprints into step-by-step instructions for our operators to execute. Essentially, I align the practicalities and realities of the shopfloor, like equipment, skill level and ergonomics, to the requirements laid out in the blueprints. When operators are unsure of how to perform the tasks as laid out in their work instructions, I’m also the first line of defence in getting things running again. 

Q: How did you come to work at Baltimore? 

I was ready for a change after three years as a Design Engineer at the Advanced Manufacturing Design Centre (AMDC) in Commercial Aerospace, under ST Engineering’s scholarship programme  I knew I wanted to stay in aviation, try an operational role, and explore how the industry operates in different stages of the value chain. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), MRAS fit perfectly, and I was excited at the prospect of working with the team. One thing led to another, and here I am today at MRAS!

Q: What was it like adjusting to your new role and environment? 

My previous role was mostly desk-bound and design-focused, so transitioning to my current operations role in the U.S. was both exciting and challenging! I had to quickly adapt to being closer to the action, where ideas on paper turn into tangible products. Operating 24-hours on weekdays, the MRAS facility can be constantly buzzing with projects, even though we don’t have aircraft moving in and out of hangars as we do at our aerospace MRO facilities in Singapore. 

Thankfully, I spent my first few weeks in the U.S. getting to know the MRAS team - observing dynamics, learning its systems, and building connections. With the onboarding and a team of welcoming colleagues, my transition to life and work here has been smooth.

Benjamin (extreme right) at JEC World 2024.

Q: How has your experience with MRAS been rewarding? 

There’s always something new to dive into in MRAS’ fast paced and dynamic environment, and I’ve enjoyed the challenges that this role demands from me. This exposure to ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business in the U.S. has given me a fresh perspective on aerospace manufacturing. Working closely with operations, I’ve gained valuable lessons into managing the production floor and refining manufacturing techniques to keep things running smoothly. Overall, it’s been both humbling and eye-opening to be a part of ST Engineering’s global footprint.

Q: What stands out to you as the best part of working at ST Engineering? 

With its global network of businesses, I would say ST Engineering provides plentiful opportunities for someone aspiring to build a strong and well-rounded career. There are many initiatives in place to support and accelerate your professional growth, such as the Global Talent Programme, which offers job rotations across the cities we operate in for a more enriching experience. On top of that, you get to play an impactful role in harnessing technology and innovation to enable a more secure and sustainable world!