Royal Navy - Air Engineer - Aviation Maintenance Mechanic (Military) Apprenticeship

Overview

When you join the Royal Navy as an Air Engineering Technician, you\’re vital to keeping our airborne missions on track. That means working with some of the most advanced aircraft on the planet, like the F35B Lightning Stealth Fighter, the Merlin Mk2 Submarine Hunter, the Merlin Mk4 Commando Helicopter or the Wildcat Maritime Attack Helicopter.

Responsibilities

• Be a central part of the Royal Navy\’s aviation capabilities, working with aircraft and helicopters and ensuring they are ready to take off whenever needed.
• Develop your engineering skills and specialise in mechanical technology and avionics.
• Apply all the knowledge gained in training to find innovative solutions to complex problems, often under pressure.
• Service, inspect and maintain Fleet Air Arm aircraft, working with a team at the highest engineering standards.
• Comply with environmental, sustainability, GDPR and cyber security regulations.
• Collect and use information such as aircraft servicing schedules and technical logs.
• Communicate both verbally and non-verbally with colleagues (e.g., standard signals for marshalling and handling aircraft).
• Select and use tools and equipment, following tool control processes and ensuring proper calibration, storage, and condition.
• Inspect, assess, and restore aircraft components to their former state, including reinstating access panels.
• Use measuring and test equipment such as steel rules and digital multimeters.
• Follow work instructions and standard operating procedures, including pre‑flight and post‑flight servicing, checks and replenishments.
• Maintain health and safety, environmental and airworthiness standards, and aircraft movement procedures.

Training and Development

Once qualified you will be a qualified Air Engineer – Aviation Maintenance Mechanic (Military). You will start your naval career as an Able Rate.

• 10 weeks of basic naval training.
• Six months of training at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, focusing on:

1. Understanding basic engineering principles
2. Engineering procedures
3. Aviation safety principles
4. Aircraft systems and equipment
5. Weapons, ordnance, munitions and explosive safety
6. Essential skills and techniques
7. Developing the attributes and ethos required of a rating in the Fleet Air Arm

Training continues throughout your career, with opportunities for promotion to Leading Hand and beyond, or even to a Commissioned Officer.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) and other relevant qualifications.
• Communication skills.
• IT skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisation skills.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Administrative skills.
• Number skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Logical thinking.
• Team working.
• Creativity.
• Initiative.
• Non‑judgemental attitude.
• Patience.

Benefits

• £20,400 per year (starting salary).
• Six weeks of paid holiday every year.
• Free medical and dental care.
• Extra financial bonuses for long operations.
• Service Engineer Technical Pay increases with promotion.

Recruitment Information

The Royal Navy (RN) is responsible for the protection of British interests at home and around the World. Recruitment happens throughout the year. For more information, visit https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers.