Electronic Warfare & Signals Intelligence

Royal Signals

At a glance

  • Featured
  • Soldier
  • intelligence

Highly trained in the use of communications and information systems, your role will be to find, understand and exploit the enemy's electromagnetic signature in cyber-space.

  • £18,687The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £23,496Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 17 years & 9 months to 35 years & 11 months
  • QualificationsGCSEs or equivalent
Royal Signals in action

MY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ENABLES ME TO DISRUPT THE ENEMY'S COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES.

You will provide tactical and operational cyber and signals intelligence capability on the battlefield, providing intelligence on adversaries by working close to enemy units to intercept voice and data transmissions. This will be used to inform your commander of enemy units’ locations, intentions and movements. You will operate specialist equipment that is designed to locate, exploit and disrupt enemy communications – a key part of operational success. You could also assist bomb-disposal units by disrupting the signals that detonate radio-controlled explosive devices.

Fast moving and game changing, the Royal Signals are leaders in IT, Cyber and Telecommunications, providing battle-winning communications to every part of the Army. The Royal Signals are experts in engineering and operating systems, networks and cyber equipment.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Get promotion to Lance Corporal after initial trade training

  • Become an expert in exploiting communications to provide high level intelligence

  • Providing briefs to commanders at all levels on enemy actions and likely intent

  • Get continuous personal and professional development, including civilian-accredited transferable qualifications

  • Learn to drive and operate military vehicles ranging from Land Rovers or HGVs to fully armoured fighting vehicles

  • Learn to instruct and pass on your expert skills and knowledge

Have any questions? Talk with us

electronic warfare operator

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 17 years & 9 months to 35 years & 11 months

  • Qualifications:

    3 x GCSE level 4 or above in Maths, Science and English Language or RQF level 2 equivalents

    Security Clearance Required:
    CTC
    (SC at Ph 1)
    (DV at Ph 2)

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.6

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. This will be the regular 14-week adult basic training.

Step 2
This is the start of your technical training designed to introduce basic signalling and communication skills while building on your existing military skills. You will be taught basic principles and skills, such as siting, operating and talking on military radios, radio logs, map marking, working at heights, health and safety and of course security. As your career progresses you'll learn how to build and configure networks, managing system problems including a helpdesk, equipment care, understanding field generators, field cable and security , including cyber. 

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Driving licences: B+E, C+E, H, D

  • Level 2 functional skills in Maths, English and IT

  •  Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship

  • DAO Qualification in Communications Information Exploitation (Level 4)

  • Qualifications in communications and intelligence reporting gained through life Batchelor of Science (BSc) in Intelligence and Cyber Security

  • Level 4 Team Leading

  • Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring

  • Level 6 Leadership and Management

  • Become a Chartered Engineer or IT professional 

Pay & benefits

Earn £18,687 a year during training. When you have completed 26 weeks' service or finished basic trade training – whichever comes first – your pay will rise to £23,496.

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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