Peng-Yam TAN has been the Chief Defence Scientist at the Singapore Ministry of Defence since May 2021.
Peng-Yam began his career as a research engineer at DSO National Laboratories before assuming various roles at the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), including Deputy Director for Research and Development. Peng-Yam established and headed MINDEF’s Defence Technology Office in Washington DC, from January 2000 to December 2003. From 2004 to 2011, he served as Deputy Chief Executive for Technology and later for Operations at Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). Peng-Yam was appointed the Chief Executive of DSTA in January 2011, serving in that role until May 2021.
Peng-Yam has considerable experience in managing research and development, fostering international technology collaboration, developing technological capabilities, and architecting and implementing large-scale systems projects across diverse disciplines.
Peng-Yam serves on the boards of DSO National Laboratories, ST Engineering and Synapxe (national health tech agency). He chairs Cap Vista Private Limited (a start-up investment and engagement firm) and the Temasek Defence Systems Institute (an educational institute established as a strategic alliance between National University of Singapore and US Naval Postgraduate School) Management Board. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering Advisory Board, and the National Environment Agency’s Nuclear Safety Advisory Panel. Additionally, he chairs the SMRT (a public transport service provider) Technical Advisory Panel and co-chairs the National Cybersecurity R&D Programme International Advisory Panel.
Peng-Yam has previously served on the boards of the Building and Construction Authority, the National Environment Agency, the Land Transport Authority, the Government Technology Agency (GovTech), and D’Crypt Private Limited. He was also chairman of Tech Vista Private Limited and served as a member of the PUB Board Committee for Transformation, and Temasek Polytechnic Board of Governors.
Peng-Yam was awarded the Public Administration Medal Gold (Singapore), the Commander of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy), the Grand Cross of Naval Merit with White Mark (Spain), and the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Knight First Class (Sweden). He was also conferred the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisation Honorary Fellowship.