Singapore Expats

Semicon Engineer Moving from Malaysia --> Singapore

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
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hokeanloon
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Semicon Engineer Moving from Malaysia --> Singapore

Post by hokeanloon » Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:26 pm

Hi all,

i've been travel to SG last year, and the trip did buzz me to think of relocate to SG for better living.

Im a senior product development engineer currently working in Bayan Lepas Penang. Which would like to seek for opportunities in developing myself in SG. {of cause i do mean "develop" salary as well :) ....}

would like to get some advice here...with below conditions, what should i expect from my next employer... (plan to start job hunting by this year end)

1) 4 years experience in semicon MNC as Product Development Engineer
2) current pay, ~RM60K pa
3) stock/ bonus, ~RM6K pa

hope you guys could share some advice here. (positive / negative are welcome)

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the lynx
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Post by the lynx » Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:11 am

Ah a fellow Penangite! :D

Despite of very bad financial crisis few years ago, which axed semicon giants like Flextronics and Intel and forced them to move their operations to Malaysia, it has recovered pretty okay, albeit in slow pace.

You will be able to find jobs here in Singapore, but you need to go through networking as the burn of the previous economy crisis is still felt and many companies still do not post vacancies in newspapers etc (not all, but many).

If you're from MNC in Penang, you will be hard-pressed to find an equally good MNC here as most of them are either on real hiring freeze or have shifted a significant percentage of operations to Kulim and Bayan Lepas. You will have better chance with smaller companies here in Singapore instead.

Just my opinion.

Which company are you from? If you don't mind telling me :P (plus you're here anonymously anyway so no one can sniff you out)

hokeanloon
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Post by hokeanloon » Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:22 pm

Hi mate,im sure you are the penangite also..haha...

thanks for your reply...
i guess its not an issue of getting job as im not hunting job in a rush...

what my concern would be its in term of package offer wise, SG is better than PG?
or with below condition, i can jus get the exactly the same package (change from RM to SGD)?
Afterall, its a consider a good offer if i get exactly same package from SG company right?

i have such concern cause few of my senior was relocate to SG by getting the offer, RM --> SGD without any raise in amount. and i need to know thats normal practice for a Malaysian Engineer relocating to SG?


it's allright for me..haha...i would say, my current company is the highest pay in penang...(i guess u know which company i mean right...lolz)

hokeanloon
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Post by hokeanloon » Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:59 pm

by the way, to provide further details as below :

1) Not to own a car
2) to rent a ROOM in HDB flat
3) Nvr shop alot
4) Eat out and hang around with frens / colleague
5) Travel once a year
6) Monthly 2K for parents


Importantly, what will be the SG average pricing for an engineer that moving from Penang to SG?
Its 65-70K SGD reasonable for a 4 years experience in semicon field?

i have read through many salary guides from "jobstreet" / "kelly service" and wat so ever, but the average pricing is different quite alot. (for example : jobstreet = 55K pa; kelly = 70K pa; McKinley = 56K.

Of cause, that is non-exact example of mine as im trying to relocate myself to SG after 4 years working in Penang.


Please help to advice as if any "tai kor" here having similar background.

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the lynx
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Post by the lynx » Wed, 08 Aug 2012 8:50 am

hokeanloon wrote:Hi mate,im sure you are the penangite also..haha...

thanks for your reply...
i guess its not an issue of getting job as im not hunting job in a rush...

what my concern would be its in term of package offer wise, SG is better than PG?
or with below condition, i can jus get the exactly the same package (change from RM to SGD)?
Afterall, its a consider a good offer if i get exactly same package from SG company right?

i have such concern cause few of my senior was relocate to SG by getting the offer, RM --> SGD without any raise in amount. and i need to know thats normal practice for a Malaysian Engineer relocating to SG?


it's allright for me..haha...i would say, my current company is the highest pay in penang...(i guess u know which company i mean right...lolz)
I think I know which company you're from already :lol: :P

Comparison between PG and SG in terms of package can vary greatly. It all depends on the hiring company, your profile, you specific set skills and how desperate are they to get you.

And this is sad but as Malaysian, you are very UNLIKELY to be here on expat package (with shipping and removal cost covered, your accommodation covered, your children's schooling in Singapore covered - if you are moving in as a family). You will most definitely will be in local package (just the usual pay package with usual benefits).

Sucks I know.

However I don't understand your question on "RM ---> SG without any raise in amount". You mean after conversion? You have to remember that income-living cost ratio in Singapore is lower than in Malaysia. Your RM60k p.a is proportionately about SGD40k p.a (just my estimation).

If that is the case, it is completely normal. But if you feel discouraged by the figure, thinking about the currency exchange should be able to cheer you up (and the relative lower living cost in Singapore aside from rental).
by the way, to provide further details as below :

1) Not to own a car
2) to rent a ROOM in HDB flat
3) Nvr shop alot
4) Eat out and hang around with frens / colleague
5) Travel once a year
6) Monthly 2K for parents


Importantly, what will be the SG average pricing for an engineer that moving from Penang to SG?
Its 65-70K SGD reasonable for a 4 years experience in semicon field?

i have read through many salary guides from "jobstreet" / "kelly service" and wat so ever, but the average pricing is different quite alot. (for example : jobstreet = 55K pa; kelly = 70K pa; McKinley = 56K.

Of cause, that is non-exact example of mine as im trying to relocate myself to SG after 4 years working in Penang.


Please help to advice as if any "tai kor" here having similar background.
My sister is also a semicon engineer (and I'm not telling you which PG MNC she used to work in before her move :P). Worked for 3-4 years before her move. Had similar package to yours in PG but when she moved to Singapore, she was under local package with around SGD42k p.a with the usual benefits. She is no longer in Singapore (moved back to Malaysia, citing ridiculous work demand as reason which she found not proportionate to her pay).

At least here's the real-life example for you to consider but that's not authoritative.

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popeyefan
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Post by popeyefan » Sat, 11 Aug 2012 2:22 am

The plots and sub-plots keeps going on and on.. but the info regarding the employer was never leaked out .. by both the OP and 'the lynx'. BTW, just curious, does the MNC begin with I and end with a L with a NTE thrown in between :P

To the OP: You could probably target Micron/Global Foundries/ST Micro. These should be your potential targets and if i am not wrong, your pay bracket should be around S$50-55K at least based on your experience.

Rider77
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Moving from Malaysia to Singapore

Post by Rider77 » Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:19 pm

It is not a direct answer to your question but starting engineers in the semicon industry are looking at about 3K/month 13 months. So depending on what you actually do in product development, you could be looking at anything from 5K onwards.
Bear in mind cost of living in SIngapore is much higher compared to Penang. For sure you will have to live without a car and probably share an apt with some friends. It depends on your long term plans. As another forumer shared, we do have people who moved back to Malaysia after a couple of years so it all depends on the individual.
Do contact me as we are looking for some development engineers and could advise you on your plans.

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