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Army

Electronics Technician

As an Electronics Technician you are responsible for maintaining the NZ Army’s ‘eyes and ears’.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Engineering & Technical trades

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Linton or Burnham Camps

As an Electronics Technician you are responsible for maintaining the NZ Army’s ‘eyes and ears’. You will work on sophisticated communications, night vision and sighting systems, as well as the electronic systems on the NZLAV.

You’ll work in a variety of challenging environments, and you will gain a trade qualification backed up with a variety of unique experiences working both within NZ and overseas.

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.
  • Any practical experience repairing radio communications and sighting equipment will make you a more competitive applicant.

Citizenship

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

Period of Service

Once you have completed training you will be required to give a 24 month return of service to the NZ Army.

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.

  • Job on base

    As an Electronics Technician you will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of over 200 specialised electronic and optical systems. This role involves a lot of fault-finding and diagnosis to ensure that NZ Army electronic equipment is maintained to high operational standards. You will inspect, test, maintain and repair communications systems and night vision equipment utilising the latest automatic test equipment designed for purpose. You will work on a diverse range of equipment, from the IEDD Bomb Robot, mine detectors and laser range finders, to the GPS / Inertial Navigation / Fire Control systems on the NZLAV.

    You will also work with front line units, repairing equipment on training exercises. You will be the expert on electronic equipment and will be the go to person if others have questions about equipment they are using.

  • Job on deployment

    Electronics Technicians deploy on a variety of overseas exercises and deployments in support of operational units and activities.

    While on deployment you could be responsible for facilitating the repair of NZLAV, radio and night vision equipment as well as providing relevant maintenance support advice. You will also complete technical inspections to ensure the equipment is operational.

    On an overseas deployment or exercise you are the subject matter expert for all electronic, instrumentation or radar based equipment. You’ll be required to work independently and see your task through to completion.

    You will carry out periodic inspections and testing to ensure that equipment is functioning at full capability.

    Electronics Technicians are currently deployed to Iraq, and historically they have deployed whenever/wherever the NZDF has. In recent years they have deployed to Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands, as well as participating in training exercises in Australia, Hawaii, Canada and the USA.

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 Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

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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.

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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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Ready to start your Army career?

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