Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) (Submariner)

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Submarine Service
Branch:Engineering
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Technology
Weapons
Engineering
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At a glance

What you’ll do

As an Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) (Submariner), you’ll be maintaining and preparing some of the most advanced defence technology ever developed. Patrolling the oceans, and getting your hands on some incredible kit. You might be working with ballistic missile systems one day, and state-of-the-art sensors and radars the next. 

It takes something special to be a Submariner, living below the surface and being responsible for our nation’s nuclear deterrent. That’s what makes you elite. And as a Weapon Engineer in the Silent Service, your role has never been more essential. You provide the firepower, and the stealth.

If you have questions, talk to us

Your role

  • Take responsibility for the safety of your crewmates. Whether that’s ensuring your boat is able to defend itself, or identifying threats and helping the submarine stay undetected.
  • Maintain and operate the complex communication, detection and weapon systems, and guarantee missiles, and torpedoes are fully operational. 
  • Get your hands on some of the most sophisticated electronic equipment in existence, working with your team, and under the guidance of the Engineer Officer.
  • Complete daily rounds, checking equipment to ensure the ship remains operational, and finding innovative solutions when there’s a problem.

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • A Level 2 Apprenticeship in Maritime Mechanical Electrical Mechanic

Opportunities open to you 

  • Study for GCSEs, then A-Levels in subjects including English, Maths and Science. 
  • Gain specialist vocational - such as a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture.
  • Eventually, you can work toward a degree like Electronic Engineering depending on your career progression.

Skills you'll develop

  • Learn to maintain and operate some of the most cutting-edge weapon systems, radars and detection equipment on the planet.
  • Develop your natural aptitude for fixing things.
  • Gain the discipline and teamwork skills that are essential for life on-board a submarine.
 

Career progression

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You must be aged between 16-39
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • You need to be a minimum height of 157cm
  • You must be a United Kingdom citizen or British Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • You must have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously prior to application
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • A quick thinker, with a passion for working with the latest equipment and technology
  • A problem-solver who can work well as part of a team
  • A real sense of adventure and great people skills
  • Enthusiasm for fixing and maintaining electronic and mechanical systems
Check Eligibility

Joining process

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest, we’ll be in touch to discuss your options

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

    A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform 

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which is a pass or fail course. This will include:  

    - Pre-Joining fitness test  
    - Swimming test  
    - Medical test  

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh


Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get yourself as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.


Professional training

Once you have the essential military and maritime skills under your belt, it’s time to start your specialist training. 

First, you’ll go to the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood. Your time there is followed by Submariner weapons training, focussing on:

  • Weapon systems
  • Safety procedures
  • Electrical and electronic repair techniques
  • Hydraulics and pneumatics 
  • Essential tools and techniques

After successfully completing your professional training, you will then commence your Submarine Qualification (SMQ) at HMS Neptune, Faslane, Scotland near Glasgow; the home of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service. You’ll learn about submarine operations, including: warfare, weapons, nuclear propulsion and escape training, and go to sea in a submarine. After this, there’ll be a test to check your knowledge. When you pass, you’ll earn your ‘Dolphins’ – the coveted badge of a qualified Submariner.