Skip to content
Engineering Technician (Direct Entry) Reserve

Engineering Technician (Direct Entry) Reserve

Learn management and leadership techniques in an environment that’s far removed from any office, and excel in a career that runs alongside your day job.

Start your application

As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.

Register interest
  • No qualifications
  • Surface Fleet
  • Royal Naval Reserve
  • Rating level
A colour image shows three Royal Navy engineers examining an electrical board on the deck of a ship. In the foreground, one technician handles specialist equipment. In the background, two technicians monitor readings on an external device. All three wear blue Royal Navy work uniforms.

Role details

As an Engineering Technician (Direct Entry) in the Royal Navy Reserve means you'll work with fellow Royal Navy and Reserve engineers conducting operational maintenance and repair on our state of the art warships and weapons systems. Whether working across the UK or in overseas ports, your commitment will open up extraordinary responsibilities and opportunities like never before, in some of the most challenging and rewarding environments imaginable.

  • Complete your Initial Training (INT) and then join your fellow Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Navy engineers in maintaining the warships and weapons of the service
  • Start as a Probationary Leading Engineering Technician and work to gain a promotion
  • Depending on the nature of your engineering experience, specialise as either a Marine or Weapon Engineer 
  • Work throughout the UK and across the world
  • Work as part of a team dedicated to keeping Royal Navy assets operationally ready
  • Pay for each day worked
  • Salary equivalent to the OR4-1 pay scale
  • Paid for annual leave, proportionate to the number of days you work
  • Membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • Access to the Royal Navy’s superb sports and fitness facilities
  • Adventurous Training opportunities
  • Dramatically boost your skills and knowledge to advance your future civilian career
  • Gain nationally accredited qualifications

Skills you’ll develop

  • Determination, discipline, confidence and teamwork
  • Responsibility, time management, organisational and leadership skills
  • Must be aged 18 to 40 when you start training
  • Hold a level 3 (HNC) or higher in an Engineering discipline, accredited by a UK Engineering institution
  • Be registered with a UK Engineering institution at or above Level 3 (Eng Tech)
  • Have a minimum of two years practical employment experience in an engineering related position within five years of applying
  • Must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, who has lived in the UK continuously for the past five years prior to applying, or a Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • Have a healthy range for Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Pass a written and oral Level 3 technical scenario examination
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
  • Enthusiastic and competent technician
  • Team player
  • Problem solver
  • Able to commit to 24 days through the year (not consecutively)
The Royal Naval Reserve gives me the opportunity to travel and to carry out practical engineering and maintenance again.
Royal Navy Reserve personnel

Chris

Leading Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineer)

Joining Process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

  • Register your interest
  • Complete your application
  • Presentation
  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
  • Join your local unit
  • Medical and fitness test
  • Phase 1 training
  • Training
  • Confirmation course

Register your interest

Find the right profession and entry level for you, make sure you meet the basic eligibility criteria, and register your interest online.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email with more details about your chosen profession, along with an invitation to speak with our friendly recruitment team about any questions or concerns you might have.

Start your application

Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.

Got a question?

Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day

More roles like this