Summary
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.
Wage
£20,400 a year
Six weeks of paid holiday every year Free medical and dental care Extra financial bonuses if you’re on a longer operation Earn additional Service Engineer Technical Pay as you progress to Leading Hand with increased pay levels on further promotion
Training course
Aviation maintenance mechanic (level 2)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
Start date
Tuesday 2 June 2026
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
261
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
* Be a central part of the Royal Navy’s aviation capabilities, getting to work with our planes and helicopters, and making sure that they can take off whenever they’re needed
* Develop your engineering skills and specialise in mechanical technology and avionics
* You’ll need to use all of the knowledge you gain in training, to find innovative solutions to complex problems, often under pressure
* You will have the opportunity to serve on the world's most advanced Frigates, Destroyers and Aircraft Carriers with new and exciting aircraft Forces. This includes the F35B Lightning Stealth fighter at RAF Marham, the Merlin Mk2 Submarine Hunter, at RNAS Culdrose, the Merlin Mk4 Commando Helicopter and the Wildcat Maritime Attack Helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton
* Maintain, service and inspect the Fleet Air Arm’s aircraft, working with your team at the highest levels of the engineering industry
Where you’ll work
Navy Command HQ
The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8BY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
ROYAL NAVY
Your training course
Aviation maintenance mechanic (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
* Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures.
* Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures. Identify, handle and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
* Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
* Collect and use information. For example, aircraft servicing schedules, aircraft technical log.
* Record maintenance information: paper based or electronic.
* Communicate with colleagues verbally.
* Communicate with colleagues non-verbally. For example, standard signals used when marshalling and handling aircraft.
* Select and use tools and equipment.
* Follow tool control processes and procedures including tool calibration, storage, and condition.
* Identify, handle and store aircraft components and parts.
* Inspect and assess condition of aircraft components and restore to former state, including reinstating access panels.
* Use simple measuring and test equipment. For example, steel rule, and digital multimeter.
* Follow work instructions: verbal or written.
* Comply with statutory military or airworthiness legislation.
* Identify and mitigate dangers within the air environment. For example, aircraft engines running, intake, and exhaust areas.
* Identify and report on progress and issues.
* Prepare the work area prior to the activity. For example, pre-use checks on ground support equipment (GSE), fit and remove aircraft covers, bungs or blanks.
* Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
* Comply with aircraft movement procedures. For example, receipt and dispatch or as a member of an aircraft movement team.
* Replace mechanical system components. For example, engine components, hydraulic system components, air-conditioning components, or pneumatic system components.
* Replace electrical or electronic system components. For example, electrical power distribution, aircraft lighting, communication, navigation, or cabin equipment.
* Contribute to team tasks for aircraft maintenance. For example, on engine assemblies, landing gear assemblies, flying control surfaces, door assemblies, aircraft cabin fixtures and assemblies or avionic rack assemblies.
* Perform aircraft pre and post flight servicing. For example, airframe and systems: (aircraft landing gear assemblies and retraction bays or aircraft wheels and tyres).
* Perform checks and replenishments. For example, check and replenish (aircraft gaseous system, aircraft hydraulic system fluid levels, engine oil, fuel, or tyre pressures).
* Clean and visually check aircraft transparencies.
* Apply external electrical power to an aircraft.
* Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance processes.
* Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures.
* Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures. Identify, handle and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
* Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
* Collect and use information. For example, aircraft servicing schedules, aircraft technical log.
* Record maintenance information: paper based or electronic.
* Communicate with colleagues verbally.
* Communicate with colleagues non-verbally. For example, standard signals used when marshalling and handling aircraft.
* Select and use tools and equipment.
* Follow tool control processes and procedures including tool calibration, storage, and condition.
* Identify, handle and store aircraft components and parts.
* Inspect and assess condition of aircraft components and restore to former state, including reinstating access panels.
* Use simple measuring and test equipment. For example, steel rule, and digital multimeter.
* Follow work instructions: verbal or written.
* Comply with statutory military or airworthiness legislation.
* Identify and mitigate dangers within the air environment. For example, aircraft engines running, intake, and exhaust areas.
* Identify and report on progress and issues.
* Prepare the work area prior to the activity. For example, pre-use checks on ground support equipment (GSE), fit and remove aircraft covers, bungs or blanks.
* Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
* Comply with aircraft movement procedures. For example, receipt and dispatch or as a member of an aircraft movement team.
* Replace mechanical system components. For example, engine components, hydraulic system components, air-conditioning components, or pneumatic system components.
* Replace electrical or electronic system components. For example, electrical power distribution, aircraft lighting, communication, navigation, or cabin equipment.
* Contribute to team tasks for aircraft maintenance. For example, on engine assemblies, landing gear assemblies, flying control surfaces, door assemblies, aircraft cabin fixtures and assemblies or avionic rack assemblies.
* Perform aircraft pre and post flight servicing. For example, airframe and systems: (aircraft landing gear assemblies and retraction bays or aircraft wheels and tyres).
* Perform checks and replenishments. For example, check and replenish (aircraft gaseous system, aircraft hydraulic system fluid levels, engine oil, fuel, or tyre pressures).
* Clean and visually check aircraft transparencies.
* Apply external electrical power to an aircraft.
* Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance processes.
Your training plan
Once qualified you will be a qualified Air Engineer - Aviation Maintenance Mechanic (Military).
You’ll start your naval career as an Able Rate. With experience and further training, you could be promoted to Leading Hand and beyond.
Training takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational ships.
When you join you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by six months of training at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, focussing on:
* Understanding basic engineering principles
* Engineering procedures
* Aviation safety principles
* Aircraft systems and equipment
* Weapons, ordnance, munitions and explosive safety
* Learning essential skills and techniques
* Developing the attributes and ethos required of a rating in the Fleet Air Arm
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* Math and English (grade GCSE Level C/4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Presentation skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
Other requirements
•No qualifications required – just that you pass a Recruit Test and are in a good state of health and fitness