As a DSO Merit Scholar, Nathaniel Yoong gets to work on real defence projects even while still in school. Majoring in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, his internship project at DSO’s Guided Systems Division involves high-performance computing on the Xilinx FPGA Platform for the development of a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar with field trials.

We chatted with Nathaniel about his DSO Merit scholarship experience, his work, and his aspirations as a future defence engineer.

1. What made you want to take up the scholarship?

My first encounter with DSO was actually during my time at Temasek Polytechnic where I had the privilege of being a recipient of the DSO Diploma Scholarship. The Diploma Scholarship came with no bond, but an opportunity to spend my compulsory internship in DSO. It was through this internship that I first gained experience and found my passion in research and development in the defence field. I truly enjoyed working at DSO as I got the opportunity to explore working in such a niche field, contributing to live projects alongside the team. As such, taking up the DSO Merit scholarship was an opportunity that I could not refuse. Above and beyond my passion for the field, the sponsorship of my school fees and allowance were big motivating factors. I wanted to be independent and develop myself to the fullest extent possible in university. Although there is a 3-year bond, I enjoy what I do here and I do see myself staying with DSO for the foreseeable future.

2. When and how did you get to learn about the scholarship?

When I was about to graduate from Temasek Polytechnic in 2019, I looked up what DSO had to offer on scholarships for university. My senior, who was also on the DSO Merit Scholarship, spoke to me about the scholarship and encouraged me to apply if I wanted to pursue a career in defence R&D.

3. What unique possibilities and support are there for DSO Merit Scholars?

One of the unique possibilities is definitely the opportunities presented to DSO Merit scholars. I have been able to express my areas of interest and was given the space to pursue and hone my skills. DSO Merit scholars are also guaranteed a job post-graduation, which was definitely one of my considerations in taking this on. Lastly, the allowance and school fee coverage allowed me to fully enjoy my school life and support myself independently.

4. Tell us more about your role and responsibilities.

In my internships, I have been attached to the Guided Systems Division. My role as an intern is to support ongoing projects by writing test code for our hardware systems and ensuring that everything works as intended. I work very closely with my mentor and our colleagues in the team to meet project expectations and deadlines. Currently, I’m working on radar digital signal processing on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). There is a fair blend of exposure between learning how to code on an FPGA, radar theory and application as well as hardware troubleshooting.

5. What is your most significant career achievement to date?

My most significant career achievement writing a test code for part of a system and presenting it to DSO’s users during my internship in 2019. I was both proud and relieved that the work I had put in in those short few months had been recognised and approved. That was very fulfilling, and I cherish that achievement. I have to thank my previous mentor and his team for putting faith in me to deliver that part of the system.

6. How has working on real defence R&D projects been personally and professionally meaningful for you?

I am glad that DSO trusts interns to work on real defence R&D projects alongside our full-time colleagues, as I feel it is an opportunity that students and interns rarely get. Working on these projects broadened my knowledge about how much DSO contributes to Singapore’s defence. I developed a greater appreciation of the work done in DSO especially after serving my National Service, knowing that these products and systems will one day be deployed and used by the SAF. Additionally, I also apply many aspects of engineering that I learnt in the classroom to real R&D projects. Hence, my internship experience has been enriching and well-rounded thus far.

7. Do you have a mentor and how does the person help guide you in either your scholarship journey or career?

I have 2 mentors, who are my supervisors during my polytechnic and university internship. They have spoken to me extensively about my career journey in DSO and about my further studies and given me precious insight as to how I should further my studies and career in the future.

8. What is the work culture at DSO National Laboratories?

The work culture in DSO advocates learning. My colleagues are happy to share different theoretical concepts they are working on. It is also an open and safe space where I can reach out for help if needed. I also respect my colleagues’ perseverance and team spirit. For instance, if there is an issue in the project, the team will brainstorm possible solutions rather than simply giving up and abandoning the idea. The tenacity and “never give up” attitude of my colleagues is something I look up to, and I hope to emulate that mindset as well.

9. What would you say to convince someone to apply for the DSO Merit Scholarship?

If you have a passion for defence R&D and want to pursue a career in science and engineering, apply for the DSO Merit Scholarship! On top of the benefits of the scholarships as a student, you would also set yourself up for a bright and fulfilling career. Most importantly, you would gain valuable experience that trains you in many different aspects of engineering from radar, software, hardware, testing and more – all of which will undoubtedly be beneficial to your professional growth.