For ME4 Pang Shi Quan, engineering was never about crunching numbers or solving equations—it was about the thrill of problem-solving and understanding how things work. His love for physics and math led him towards aerospace engineering in his second year of junior college.

But it wasn’t until he enlisted for Basic Military Training and attended a recruitment talk that Shi Quan’s path in engineering truly began to take shape. There, he discovered the role of an Air Force Engineer (AFE) with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which stood out for its unique combination of leadership and hands-on, operational work.

"This role blends leadership with dynamic, operational, and multi-disciplinary engineering work. It stood out to me because it’s one of the few engineering roles that prepares you in middle management as a fresh graduate," he explained.

Intrigued by the opportunities for growth and motivated by his experience as captain of his school’s basketball team, Shi Quan took the leap and signed on as an AFE.

Upon joining the RSAF, Shi Quan decided to apply for the SAF Engineering Scholarship. “Since I had already committed to the RSAF, applying for the scholarship felt like the right move,” he said. “It offered a ‘head start’ in my career with better networking, exposure, and development opportunities that would help me contribute more effectively to the organisation.”

The scholarship enabled Shi Quan to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath. While initially enrolled in a four-year integrated Master’s programme, he chose to switch to a three-year Bachelor’s programme and spent his fourth year at Purdue University in the U.S., earning a Master’s in Industrial Engineering.

“Aerospace Engineering gave me the fundamentals, but Industrial Engineering gave me new tools to approach challenges from a broader perspective,” he shared.

Blending Technical Expertise with Strategic Leadership

In the RSAF, officers are given the opportunity to take on a wide range of responsibilities across various domains, allowing for both deep technical growth and holistic development. These opportunities have been invaluable in Shi Quan's role as an AFE.

Until last December, he served as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Propulsion Flight at 817 Squadron, where he led a team of senior technicians responsible for the operational engineering and maintenance of the F-15SGs fleet in Paya Lebar Airbase. His key responsibilities included troubleshooting complex system defects, conducting technical investigations for in-flight incidents, conducting studies to improve system reliability, and coordinating engineering and manpower resources.

Looking back, Shi Quan recognises how his academic background has enriched his career. Modules like Applied Statistics in Quality and Reliability Engineering enhanced his ability to analyse operational data and conduct reliability studies for propulsion systems. The process improvement techniques he learned during his Capstone Projects have since become integral to his approach in solving complex challenges in his current role.

“These methodologies and tools continue to serve as systematic approaches to frame and solve problems in my day-to-day job,” he noted. Additionally, his exposure to Systems Thinking taught him to approach complex problems holistically, moving beyond traditional engineering’s focus on individual components.

A memorable experience that showcased these skills occurred when a pilot reported an engine defect after a flight. Working with his Officer Commanding and the team, Shi Quan completed the technical investigation within a day. “It was how the RSAF’s core values—'Safety’, ‘Team Excellence’, and ‘Professionalism’—were displayed in action that made it most memorable for me,” he said. “The whole team worked together as one synergistically, with a collective desire to determine the root cause and rectify the issues.”

This incident highlighted the significance of his work. "It made me realise that the work we do as AFEs has a direct and tangible impact—in this case, the safety of the aircrew and aircraft,” he added.

As an OIC, Shi Quan was also responsible for the people under his charge, overseeing aspects such as career development and performance management.

“The OIC role is possibly one of the most unique ‘entry-level’ roles to start a career with,” he said. “It combines technical knowledge with leadership, where you lead and manage people with more experience and expertise. It’s a challenge, but that’s what makes the journey fulfilling!”

Driving Change and Empowering Growth

Recently, Shi Quan transitioned to a new role as Staff Officer in the Air Engineering and Logistics Department. He is tasked with strategising transformation efforts to support and diversify the workforce.

“As an engineer and a leader, I hope to be able to help build robust and supportive systems and processes which enable and empower people to contribute meaningfully to their work,” he said.

This mindset of continuous growth and development is central to Shi Quan’s approach to leadership. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasises the importance of choosing a career path that offers personal fulfillment and the opportunity to make a meaningful and purposeful difference.

Looking back on his journey, Shi Quan encourages others to reflect on what a meaningful and fulfilling career looks like to them. “Once you have that in mind, speak to people in the RSAF and find out if it’s a place where you can find that sense of purpose.”