Having established itself as the benchmark for carriers globally, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is known for its consummate customer service, cutting-edge technology and product leadership, as well as its commitment to providing a remarkable flying experience.

But an organisation is only as good as the people who keep it running. SIA has managed to consistently rank among the world’s top airlines because of the talented and capable individuals they recruit. Scholar Jason Sia Han Yung is no exception.

Awarded the SIA Open Overseas Scholarship, Jason then went on to complete a Master of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London. After being equipped with relevant knowledge and skills and gaining invaluable work experience within the organisation, he now shines as a Technical Services Engineer (TSE) (Systems) in SIA.

We spoke to him to learn more about his journey and how he helps SIA redefine the standard of air travel.

Your passion for aeronautical engineering clearly stands out. Can you tell us how it came about?

I grew up in the vicinity of Changi Airport. During the weekends, my family and I would visit the airport frequently. I would spend hours watching aeroplanes there, which sparked my interest in aviation and flying. As an avid aviation geek, it has always been my childhood dream to work in the aviation industry.

That’s interesting! Was there a reason you felt more drawn to SIA?

I felt that my passion and interests were aligned with SIA. I also wanted to be part of the team that keeps SIA soaring as the world’s most-awarded airline. There is a people-centred culture and supportive community in SIA where teams work together to achieve a common goal, which I identified with.

There are also plenty of opportunities for professional and personal growth, as well as development in an industry that is aligned with my interest and passion in SIA. After all, my surname is “SIA” as well!

Additionally, in SIA, opportunities abound to develop myself and explore my curiosity about the aviation and airline industry through rotations across the diverse departments within the field of commercial, operations, planning, engineering and more. Finally, SIA offers a global career with the opportunity to be posted and experience a dynamic life overseas under its Overseas Manager Scheme.

Can you tell us more about how SIA has supported you as a scholar?

SIA offers more than the typical sustenance benefits of a scholarship. It allowed me to study and live overseas in London, and also made visiting friends and family back in Singapore very easy through the provision of return air tickets every year.

To further support my development as an airline professional, I was also given the opportunity to intern at an overseas SIA station, in addition to my stints with the Customer Experience, Network Planning and Product Innovation Departments in SIA’s Head Office in Singapore. Additionally, SIA was also fully supportive of my decision to spend a year outside London to study in France under an overseas exchange programme, which provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime to get up close and personal with the French Aerospace Valley.

That must have been a dream come true! How were you able to apply what you’ve learnt to your job?

My specialisation in Aeronautical Engineering puts me in good stead in my current rotation with SIA’s Engineering division. Despite the steep learning curve, I could learn the ropes quickly, aided by a strong foundation in the discipline. As a result, I could contribute meaningfully within a few months of being in the role.

Can you tell us more about what your current role within SIA entails?

As a TSE (Systems), we oversee the safety and airworthiness of SIA’s fleet of aircraft and ensure that they are well-maintained and in tip-top condition, so the integrity of SIA’s flight schedule is not compromised. A healthy and reliable fleet of aircraft ensures high customer satisfaction with on-time departures and provides passengers with a safe, enjoyable and seamless travel experience.

My key responsibilities include protecting flight operations, improving aircraft dispatch reliability, as well as the analysis and troubleshooting of aircraft defects. I am also the Subject Matter Expert for the Airbus A350/A380’s air conditioning, cabin pressurisation, galley cooling, hydraulics, water, waste and fuel inerting aircraft systems, where we are on-call 24/7 to provide technical assistance for the efficient operation of the SIA fleet of aircraft.

The work you do sounds incredibly crucial. What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?

My most significant career achievement would probably be during my stint as a TSE (Systems). There were design issues with the hydraulic system on the Airbus A350 aircraft, leading to system failures that resulted in aircraft grounding and disruptions to SIA’s services. As the Subject Matter Expert for hydraulics, I analysed the technical data to identify the root cause of the failure mode, and derived a solution with Airbus to mitigate the consequences of such system failures to prevent further disruptions. The solution was subsequently shared with other operators and rolled out across the global Airbus A350 fleet. It was incredibly satisfying to use my technical knowledge to develop solutions that improved the safety of all passengers traveling aboard the Airbus A350 aircraft.

Would you say SIA has been key to your development and future aspirations?

The managers and HR have a vested interest in my career development, and SIA is generous in providing learning and development opportunities for staff. Managers also provide staff with timely feedback on their performances to help them appreciate their strengths and bridge developmental gaps.

SIA has also been very supportive of my career aspirations and embraces my curiosity to learn more about each aspect of the airline industry since I was an intern. My career interests were taken into consideration holistically prior to each of my rotations, which was helpful as I sought to dive deeper into this industry.

Finally, what are the career possibilities for those looking to join SIA?

SIA offers a variety of career possibilities to suit the diverse interests of individuals. One can develop their career as a Generalist, building their breadth of knowledge and acquiring a broad range of transferable business skills; or as a Specialist, growing as a Subject Matter Expert to build deeper expertise and professional knowledge.

SIA is a company that thrives on collaboration. There are many opportunities to work with colleagues from different teams across the globe on various business projects. The nature of the industry in which SIA operates and SIA’s global presence also means that there are opportunities to gain exposure and work overseas, under the Trainee Station Manager or the Overseas Manager Scheme. Every day in SIA is dynamic. As a people-centred organisation, SIA definitely prides itself on being a committed people developer, helping everyone to achieve their full potential.