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Electronic Technician

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 general technician, before deciding on your specialised role. Like everyone else onboard, you participate in general shipboard duties and activities not connected with your specialised role and have the opportunity to visit different ports and environments both in New Zealand and overseas. 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.

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Pre-joining Requirements
Training
Qualifications
Your Employment
Career Progression Chart
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Pre-joining Requirements

Be a minimum of 17 years of age
Have completed at least three years of secondary education
Be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in NZ for five years
Be medically fit for service
Be of good character – assessed by study of testimonials and a police record check
Be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years
Minimum 80 credits at level one
Minimum 12 credits in maths and English at level one or above
Minimum of 12 credits in science or physics at level one or above

Download the Entry Requirements Guide to see what school subjects and credits are required.

Training
Following your Basic Common Training course, you will complete a 12 month Phase One and Phase Two 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. During your fourth year of training, you will be selected for either a weapons or electronic specialisation that best matches your skills and interests.

Electronic Technicians then complete a specialised course before additional on-the-job training at sea and ashore to consolidate the 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, and 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 a ‘task book’ 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.

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 Electronic Service Technician A and B courses. These are industry recognised qualifications, and further professional advancement is available at a senior level to undertake a National Diploma in Engineering (NDE) full time at Auckland University of Technology. This study is completed on full pay with all course costs met by the Navy. Selection for this qualification is based on merit and availability.

Your Employment
Electronic Technicians primarily work regular 0800 to 1600 weekdays both at sea and ashore. There will be times however, when general duties or urgent repairs require work outside these hours.

Due to the high reliance on technology throughout the RNZN, employment opportunities for Electronic Technicians exist on all Royal New Zealand Navy ships and also at shore establishments. This means Electronic Technicians may find themselves on a warship patrolling international waters and visiting foreign ports, working at the Royal New Zealand Armaments Depot in Auckland, serving on a patrol boat in New Zealand waters, or ashore, undertaking training or employment in the Naval Base.

The Navy is full of new ships and new technology. With the arrival of the remaining Protector ships, more and more opportunities are arising for Electronic Technicians throughout the fleet.

Career Progression Chart