Marine Engineer

Royal Logistic Corps

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • engineering
  • logistics

Could you keep ships, boats and other vessels in good working order? We’ll give you all the training you need, plus an amazing Army experience.

  • £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £25,200Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsGCSEs
Marine Engineer

We are responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing the Army's fleet of sea-going vessels which are used to move soldiers, vehicles and supplies worldwide.

As a Marine Engineer, you are an important part of the vessel’s crew and will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the craft and its engines. You will be expected to think on your feet and solve problems on a daily basis, you need to be naturally independent, self-motivating and work well under pressure - if a vessel breaks down at sea all eyes quickly focus on the Marine Engineer! You will routinely work alongside the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and in support of the Royal Marines, leading on tasks such as hurricane and disaster relief.

Aside from engineering, there are also opportunities to get involved in the huge array of Army sports as well as all forms of Adventurous Training. 

The Royal Logistic Corps are the Army’s professional logisticians keeping the Field Army marching, its helicopters flying, its vehicles moving and its tanks and guns firing. We enable its deployment and supply it with everything it needs, wherever it operates, throughout the world.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Operate, maintain and repair the Army’s fleet of vessels and be responsible for all electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems onboard.

  • Based at the home of Army Maritime in Marchwood, Southampton.

  • You could be deployed worldwide– wherever the British Army has a presence.

  • Achieve NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance.

  • Earn your category B Driving License

Have any questions? Talk with us

marine engineer

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    GCSE Grade A–C/9-4, or Scottish National 5 grade A-C, in at least English Language, Maths and one other subject (preferably Science or DT)

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.6

    Army Reserve standards

    • Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm

    • MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.

  • If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training (short) course at Harrogate.

  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.

Step 2
You will then complete a 27-week mechanics course based mainly at HMS Sultan in Gosport, where further vessel specific training modules teach you to be a Class 3 Marine Engineer, Learning to repair and maintain engines as well as hydraulic, electrical and transmission systems. You will earn your category B driving license at the Defence School of Transport.

Step 3
Next, Class 2 is achieved by completing a vessel orientated Record of Achievement and several short courses, including water jet propulsion and fibre reinforced plastic repair. To obtain Class 1, you will attend a 43-week course delivered at the Defence School of Marine Engineering at HMS Sultan.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Level 2 Certificate Logistics and Transport

  • C&G Refrigeration Reclamation

  • CMI Level 3 1st Line Management

  • IMechE Engineering Technician

  • Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

  • Category B Driving License

Pay & benefits

You'll earn £25,200 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process

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