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AF Aircraft Systems Technician 20240924

Airforce

Aircraft Systems Technician

Do you think you could strip down an aircraft and rebuild it? With this job you’ll find out how – servicing, overhauling and maintaining all our aircraft systems and components.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Engineering & Technical trades

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Varied

As an Aircraft Systems Technician you’ll be a member of the ground crew, jointly responsible for maintaining all aircraft mechanical systems used on the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) aircraft. These systems include aircraft structures, flight controls, engines, propellers, helicopter rotors, hydraulics, pneumatics, landing gear and fuel. Your duties will range from day-to-day servicing of aircraft on the flight line to scheduled maintenance to maintaining the aircraft as it travels overseas.

Accepting Applications

  • Recruit 2/25, starts 19 May 2025 Apply by 20 Jan 2025

    Apply Now
  • Recruit 3/25, starts 22 Sep 2025 Apply by 26 May 2025

    Apply Now

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

Minimum: NCEA Level 2 certificate.

Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

“I’ve been on a few deployments which include the Middle East, Canada, America and a major one I really liked was Antarctica.”

  • Job on base

    Aircraft Maintenance

    It is your job to keep all our aircraft and associated components in optimum condition for the conduct of military operations. As the RNZAF fleet of aircraft and helicopters are upgraded or replaced, you will be required to work with the latest technology. Also, with the advancement of technology there is a greater integration with avionic trades, especially in the way aircraft systems are operated and maintained. Fault diagnosis and general maintenance activities involves a greater emphasis on the use of specialist electronic equipment and on-board computer systems.

     

    Squadron Duties

    RNZAF flying squadrons are the focus of aircraft operations and, as part of a ground crew, you will be responsible for maintaining aircraft, conducting fault finding, servicing and receiving and despatching aircraft for flying tasks. You will perform systems-based operational level maintenance, including the installation and removal of components, and conducting the operational checks and servicings to ensure that aircraft systems are fully serviceable for the next day’s flying.

    The technology used in the aviation industry is ever changing, and as such you’ll be required to operate a wide range of test equipment, including computer applications software to assist with maintenance checks, ground running of aircraft engines and aircraft systems and also the rectification of faults. Squadron based Aircraft Systems Technicians also perform intermediate level maintenance when an aircraft reaches a prescribed number of flying hours. Before the aircraft can fly again it must be intensively cleaned, inspected, tested, components replaced and the aircraft fully reassembled and made fit to fly again.

     

    Maintenance Bay Duties

    Where aircraft component faults cannot be fixed during operational level maintenance on the squadrons, you will remove the components from the aircraft and send them to specialised maintenance bays for repair. These bays are staffed by your fellow Aircraft Systems Technicians who are responsible for the maintenance of all uninstalled aircraft components, ensuring all spares can be fitted immediately upon request. Within the bay maintenance area aircraft components are dismantled, tested, repaired and returned to service to meet flying squadron demands.

  • Job on deployment

    When squadron aircraft deploy overseas for routine flights, peacekeeping, disaster relief or military operations they take Aircraft Systems Technicians with them to service and repair the aircraft. These personnel are required to operate without the broader support provided from their home base. When selected to complete this role you can expect the unexpected. You will be living in an environment that is likely to be very different from home, interacting with supporting personnel that are likely to speak in a different language. You will also quickly grasp the way in which New Zealand contributes to a very wide range of international events. You will feel the exhilaration of having a direct impact on air operations, as you and your team will be pivotal to maintaining the aircraft in a state where it is capable of meeting all mission demands.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Specialist Training

05Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Air Force Application Process 20240920

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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