Meet SLNG's Rising Talent: Engineering A New Path In The Energy Sector

Wong Teck Jin, Analyst (Storage & Reload)

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) may not always be in the public spotlight, but it is a crucial fuel powering Singapore's growth. For Wong Teck Jin, the opportunity to work within this vital, yet sometimes unsung, industry is what fuels his ambition.

During his internship at Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) in 2023, Teck Jin learned quickly that textbook knowledge doesn't always hold up under operational pressure.

"It's not just theory or calculations on a page anymore," he says. "In university, process simulation work primarily focused on learning the fundamentals and ensuring that models could converge successfully. But here, you feel the energy, the activity. It's a very dynamic environment." This real-world complexity captivated Teck Jin and ultimately reshaped his career aspirations, leading him back to SLNG, not as an Engineer, but in a Commercial role as an Analyst in the Storage and Reload team, after graduating in 2024.

How One Click Set a Career in Motion
Teck Jin's first encounter with SLNG came via a university job portal when he was looking for an internship. A normal, simple start that worked out quite fortuitously. At the time, options in the oil and gas sector were often overlooked, with the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries hoovering up most of the engineering graduates.

Even so, SLNG somehow stood out for Teck Jin. He was then studying chemical engineering at the Singapore Institute of Technology, and by his own admission, he didn't know much about the company beyond the acronym. A quick Google search later, he decided to go for it.

"I was the only one in my course who applied to SLNG," he says, almost amused. "Most of my friends went into pharma, but I was drawn to something that I thought was bigger, something with a national impact."

Interning with Impact
As an intern in the Technical & Project Development team, Teck Jin quickly saw how different real-world engineering was from school. "In university, a simulation that converges means you've completed the project," he says. "But in the real world, just because the model technically 'works', doesn't mean it is applicable to reach a feasible solution. You have to go deeper. You learn to question more to ensure that all the right factors are taken into consideration."

It was a steep learning curve, made manageable by supportive mentors and plenty of hands-on opportunities. Before the internship was over, something shifted within him. He was starting to look beyond the technical. "I wanted to get a more holistic view of the business," he explains. "I had picked up some of the technical aspects, but what about the business aspect of things? How do we negotiate win-win agreements with various stakeholders?"

That curiosity became something more concrete after graduation in August 2024. Teck Jin spotted a full-time opening, not in engineering but in a commercial analyst role under LNG Market and Business Solutions. It wasn't a conventional path for a freshly minted chemical engineer. But that was exactly the point: a deliberate step outside his comfort zone. 
    
"I've always been an introvert," he admits. "But I saw this as a chance to grow, to push myself in areas I wasn't naturally strong in."

Teck Jin (second from right) with some of his colleagues at SLNG's Hawaiian-themed Dinner & Dance

"A bit a bit becomes a lot"
Today, Teck Jin’s role at SLNG is a dynamic mix of day-to-day operations and exciting new projects. On the day-to-day side, he manages ancillary services like GUCD (gassing-up/cool-down), Storage and Reload, Trucking and Bunkering, ensuring customers receive all the service support they need. On the project side, he works on growing the business, exploring ways to increase commercial opportunities through developing new projects.

Teck Jin (right) having a work discussion

If there's one phrase that's shaped how Teck Jin works, it's something his parents always said to him growing up: "A bit a bit becomes a lot."

"It's shaped how I approach both work and life. It reminds me that even small efforts, when done consistently, can lead to something meaningful. It doesn't have to be a big leap all at once," he shares.

This belief shows up in how he works. He's even taught himself Excel coding to automate dashboards and reduce manual reporting. "Digitalisation is something my generation can really bring to the table," he says "It's not just about doing the job—it's about doing it smarter."

Eye on the Horizon
Looking forward, Teck Jin sees LNG remaining an essential part of Singapore's energy mix, even as the nation navigates the complexities of the energy transition and works towards its net-zero emissions target. "LNG has a critical role to play in Singapore's transition," he notes. "It's cleaner than other fossil fuels and since we won’t be able to leapfrog straight to renewables overnight, it is the most viable fuel source we have to reduce carbon emissions and ensure a reliable power grid for the country."

"I want to be able to make an impact where it matters – to play a role to not just maintain but enhance Singapore’s energy security."