Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering)

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

What you’ll do

Being an Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) means taking responsibility for the serviceability, readiness and accuracy of systems that make a Royal Navy Ship a Warship. You will be keeping advanced electronic systems, communications, information systems and weapons ready for action anywhere in the world.

If you have questions, talk to us

Your role

  • Take responsibility for the safety of your crewmates, whether that’s identifying a potential threat, or ensuring your ship is able to defend itself.
  • Maintain, diagnose and repair complex communications, sensors and weapon systems, guaranteeing missiles, guns and anti-submarine 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

  • Attain a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Maritime Mechanical Electrical Mechanic
  • Progress to gain a level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance
  • Potential to gain a Foundation Degree in Engineering
  • Gain specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses
  • Opportunity to study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or a degree

Skills you'll develop

  • Learn how to command, lead and manage
  • Streamlined route to registering as EngTech and IEng with the IET
 

Career progression

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You must be aged between 16 to 39
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • 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

  • Quick thinkers who get things done
  • A passion for working with the latest equipment and technology
  • Problem-solvers
  • Team players and potential leaders
  • Physically and mentally fit professionals

 

Check Eligibility

Starting your career

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. You’ll spend five months at the Maritime Training School where you’ll undertake specialist engineering training, focussing on: 

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