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Electronic Technician

Job Group

  • Rating

Job Availability

  • Full Time

The Role

Electronic Technicians are the ship's electronic experts. Given the importance of electronic technology on board, you will make a vital contribution towards ensuring the ship is ready to complete operations.  You will help to maintain an extensive range of cutting edge, technologically advanced systems which include the command and control system, data communication systems, information systems, HF, UHF, satellite communications systems, radar, sonar and navigation equipment.  Your work will involve testing, maintaining and repairing the ships electronic equipment.

You will join the Navy as a general Electronic Technician, before deciding on your specialised role.

Job on Base

Shore postings are also possible for Electronic Technicians and not only provide a break from life at sea, but also provide an opportunity to gain experience in other areas, such as further training, ship repair, and technical administration.

Job on Deployment

Whilst at sea your responsibility is ensuring the electrical functions and maintenance of all equipment specific to communication systems, sensor systems, command and control/action information systems, information systems, weapons systems and explosives.

Career Progression

On completion of Basic Training you will conduct a 44 week course enhancing and developing your skills as an electronic technician. On completion of this you will be subject to between 18-24 months of sea going training and familiarisation. Through this period you will have the opportunity to be promoted to Able rate. At this point you will decide whether you are a Weapons Technician or an Electrical Technician before continuing further development and specialisation. 

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one is $33,256. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $40,000+ and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age.

  • You must be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in New Zealand for five years.

  • You must be of good character – assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check.

  • You must be free of any criminal convictions.

Educational Requirements

  • You must have completed at least three years at secondary school.

  • Minimum 80 credits in level 1 NCEA.

  • Minimum 12 credits in Maths and English at level 1 NCEA or above.

  • Minimum of 12 credits in science or physics at level 1 NCEA or above.

Fitness Requirements

  • You must be medically fit for service.

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you’ll be posted to Devonport Navy base in Auckland. Here you will do 13 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/team support

  • Naval discipline and regulations

  • Physical fitness

  • Parade training.

Job Training

Following your BCT, you will complete a 44 week Able Technician course at Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. On completion, you will then spend two years undergoing on-the-job training both at sea and ashore to gain experience.

For your fourth year of training you will be selected for a Leading Technician course. On completion you will be branched into either a weapons or electronic specialisation that best matches your skills and interests.

Electronic Technicians then complete an Information Systems (IS) training course before additional on-the-job training at sea and ashore to consolidate the new skills they have learnt.

As your career progresses, further equipment specific courses are completed to enhance specialised experience and knowledge, such as:

  • Safety

  • Explosives familiarisation

  • Electrical theory

  • PC maintenance

  • Power and distribution systems

  • Workshop skills

  • Lubrication and coatings

  • Hydraulic theory

  • Noise reduction and condition monitoring

  • Radar and communication theory

  • Small Arms

  • ANZAC systems

  • Administration and communication skills.

On each training course, Electronic Technicians are required to pass examinations and assessments. But the learning doesn’t stop in the classroom as you will be required to complete two ‘task books’ whilst working at sea or ashore. Training combined with specialised postings at sea and ashore continues for the majority of a junior Electronic Technician’s career. This provides the necessary knowledge and experience required to complete this specialised role and prepare them for promotion.

Specialist Training

Qualifications Earned

As part of  your studies as an Electronic Technician you will have the opportunity to attain unit standards which contribute towards a National Certificate (Level 4) in Electronic Technology under the National Qualifications Framework. These civilian qualifications are instructed at the Naval College and can be gained in addition to professional naval qualifications. The Navy meets all costs of this training, which is usually completed in the first four years of an Electronic Technicians career.

Later in your career, you will complete the Electrical Service Technician (EST) course. The EST is an industry recognised qualification.

Location Details

As an Electronic Technician you will be posted to Devonport Naval Base for the first 12-18 months conducting specialist training. On completion you will either be posted to ship or to the Devonport Naval Base.