Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Engineering & Technical trades
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Devonport
One of the key differences between warships and commercial ships is the advanced weapons, communications and sensor systems. As the ship’s electronic experts you will make a vital contribution towards ensuring that the ship is ready to complete operations and provide a ‘fight’ capability. You will help to maintain an extensive range of cutting edge, technologically advanced systems.
You will join the Navy as a general Electronic Technician, whereby you will gain an understanding of the ship’s weapons, communications, and sensor systems, before deciding on your specialisation as an ‘Electronic’ or ‘Weapon’ Technician towards the end of your initial technical training course.
As an Electronic Technician, your work will involve testing, maintaining and repairing the ship’s electronic equipment, which may include: the combat management system, data and satellite communication systems, information systems (including networks), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), radar, sonar and navigation equipment.
As a Weapon Technician you will be responsible for the testing, maintenance and repair of the ship’s arsenal of modern and accurate weaponry, which may include: small arms like shot guns, pistols and rifles or larger weapons like 50 calibre machine guns, torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles, Phalanx close in weapons system, 25mm Bushmaster, the Typhoon/Mini Typhoon and the ANZAC Frigate’s 5 inch gun.
Accepting Applications
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Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 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
Fitness & Medical
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.
“We play with lots of different electrical equipment, from high powered radars to navigational systems. We also conduct periodic maintenance, because if anything breaks while we're at sea, we can't exa”
Jamie Hudson
Leading Electronics Technician
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Job on base
Engineering positions on the naval base not only provide a break from life at sea but also provide an opportunity for you to gain further training and experience in areas such as ship maintenance and repair, technical administration and support to the fleet.
You will be assigned to one of our various maintenance departments, or the Weapon Engineering School for your own professional development or to support the learning of engineering students junior to you.
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Job on deployment
Whilst employed on a ship, it is your responsibility to ensure the electronic sensors and communication systems are functional to provide the ability to locate, communicate and interrogate contacts of interest. Weapon Technicians must keep weapon systems maintained and in a state of operational readiness to provide the ship with the ability to ‘fight’ whether by air, surface or sub-surface.
Like everyone else onboard, you will participate in general shipboard duties and activities such as boat launch/recovery, leaving or bringing a ship to the wharf, crane operations, assisting helicopter landings, ship security or practising emergency responses to fires, flooding or machinery breakdowns.
While deployed there are always excellent opportunities to experience different ports and environments in both New Zealand and overseas. Imagine the delights in cities of the Pacific Rim and beyond!
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon enlistment into the Navy, you’ll be posted to Devonport Navy base in Auckland. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:
- Teamwork and support
- Naval history and customs
- Drill and parades
- Core mariner skills and weapons training
- First aid and firefighting
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
Following Basic Training, you will complete Able Technician training, also at Devonport Naval Base.
02Job Training
Job Training
As an Electronic or Weapon Technician (ET or WT) you will initially train in the core disciplines of electro-technology and maintenance fitting through a combination of theory and practical courses. You will be thoroughly trained in fault diagnosis and repair methodologies including the use of state-of-the-art monitoring and analysis equipment.
ABLE TECHNICIAN COURSE
(46 weeks) Location: Devonport Naval Base (Auckland)
Subjects include:
- Electro-technology
- Safe Technician
- Workshop safety and skills via Manukau Institute of technology (MIT)
- Able Technician Common training
- Height safety operator
- Confined spaces operator
- Naval safety systems
- Power and distribution systems
Towards the end of this course you will branch into Electronic or Weapon specialisations, depending on the best match for your skills, personal preference and spaces available, then complete 5 weeks of ‘streamed training.’
WEAPONS AND ELECTRONICS COURSE
(5 weeks) Includes radar, navigation and communications systems theory, and an overview of small arms maintenance (personal protection weapons).
Don’t think your learning is limited to the classroom! You will spend the next two years at sea and ashore gaining on-the-job training and experience.
QUALIFICATIONS EARNED
When training as an Electronic or Weapon Technician, you’ll have the opportunity to achieve industry recognised trade qualifications such as the NZ Certificate (Level 3) in Electro-technology and an Electrical Service Technician (EST) licence after 18 months of practical service.
Once you’ve completed an advanced Technical Course, you’ll gain a NZ Certificate (Level 4) in Electronics Engineering or; Customer Premise Systems in one of the following strands:
- Structured Cabling – Performing installation and configuration of Network systems, analysis of network performance, diagnosis and repair of network equipment and systems.
- Control and Automation – Performing complex installation of systems, equipment or appliances with the necessary interface to associated systems.
- Signal Reception and Distribution - Performing installation and configuration of signal reception and distribution systems, analysis signal and data performance, diagnosis and repair of complex faults to restore optimal signal and data performance.
The Navy meets all costs of this training, which is usually completed in the first four years of an Electronic Technicians career. Travel and earn as you gain your qualification without the student loan!
03Specialist Training
Specialist Training
As your career progresses, further opportunities for specialist training and higher education becomes available to you. This may include subsequent Level 4 qualifications, or a Level 6 Diploma during the Petty Officer course and pathways toward achieving Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
The Royal New Zealand Navy values diversity of knowledge and skills amongst its engineers and is very supportive of your continued professional development.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
Your hard work, experience and training accomplishments as an Electronic or Weapon Technician is rewarded with civilian qualifications alongside promotions in rank and salary. You join the Navy as an Ordinary Rate completing Basic Training and Able Technician Training. After this specialist course you will fill positions on Naval Ships to consolidate what you have learnt through on the job training. As your skill and experience increase, you will be selected to complete your advanced technician and leadership training before being recommended for promotion to Leading Hand, typically around your fourth year of Service.
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 Navy 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.
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Under training
$68,103
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Future potential earnings
$98,000
Be Prepared
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.
Medical & Fitness
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
Ready to start your Navy career?
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