Skip to main content

Engineering Officer

Job Group

  • Officer

Job Availability

  • Full Time

The Role

As an Engineering Officer you will actively manage the maintenance of RNZAF aircraft and their mechanical, avionics and armament systems. You’ll be responsible for the safety, airworthiness and availability of aircraft, and require flexibility as you will at times work across all of the different engineering disciplines. You will also be responsible for the safety and management of personnel and resources.

Other roles will have you applying your specialist technical training to research and development of aircraft and equipment modifications, planning tasks and schedules, budget and financial management, design of structural repairs, or monitoring engineering standards. As an Officer, you will also be expected to undertake the full range of duties associated with military service.

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one is $45,894, however this may be increased depending on your qualifications and previous work experience.

Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your junior Officer course to $55,000 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be 17 years or older.

Educational Requirements

  • A degree in Engineering, Science or Technology with Majors in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical or Aeronautical Engineering. Depending on your engineering experience we may consider your application if you have a Level 6 diploma in Engineering (Mechanical, Maintenance, Production, Electrical or Aeronautical).

Fitness Requirements

  • You will be required to meet medical standards for general health, eyesight and hearing.

Training

Basic Training

First you will complete a 21 week Initial Officer Training Course at RNZAF Base Woodbourne (near Blenheim). This will commence in either January or July. Here you will find out if you have got What it takes to be in the Air Force, and will cover various subjects including:

  • RNZAF Customs and Protocol

  • Drill and Parades

  • Military Law

  • Military Field Skills and Weapons Training

  • Defence and Strategic Studies

  • Personnel Administration

  • Communication Skills

  • Command, Leadership and Management

  • First Aid.

Job Training

After successful completion of your Initial Officer Training Course, to prepare you for your role as an RNZAF Engineering officer you will attend a course at Woodbourne designed to give you a wealth of knowledge on the technical aspects of aircraft systems. Topics covered range from aircraft materials, design and construction and aerodynamics to propulsion, fuel, hydraulics, weapons, instruments, navigation, radar, communications and electrical power distribution. It also covers Air Force technical administration and procedures, a visit to all our bases to view the engineering facilities, and an aircraft maintenance phase for lessons in jacking, towing, engine running and other day-to-day tasks for a flying or engineering squadron.

Ongoing Training

There are also two advanced training courses at the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College at Trentham Military Camp (Wellington). Both courses comprise a mixture of visiting lecturers, tutored discussion groups, visits and individual study to give you the skills you need to progress your career.

Specialist Training

As well as the courses listed above, at some stage during your career you will be required to complete a Flight Commanders Course. This course lasts two weeks at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and continues your training in command, leadership and management. To become a Flight Commander, all officers are required to complete further courses covering service writing, staff skills and professional military education before being eligible for promotion beyond Flight Lieutenant.

Location Details

Woodbourne, near Blenheim