Network Engineer

Royal Signals

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • intelligence

Join the front lines of the information battle and become a Royal Signals Network Engineer. Are you ready to step into a vital role where your technical skills can make a strategic impact?

  • £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 & 11 months
  • QualificationsGCSEs or equivalent
Female soldiers looking at a network box

I APPRECIATE THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES AND THE IMPACT OUR WORK HAS. KEEPING OUR FORCES CONNECTED ON THE BATTLEFIELD IS CRITICAL, AND IT'S REWARDING TO KNOW THAT WHAT I DO MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE.

As a Network Engineer, you'll be on the cutting edge of communications technology, ensuring that our Commanders have the vital link that they need to maintain decision advantage over our enemies. This role provides the opportunity to work towards becoming a Communications Engineer.

Your Role:

  • Prepare, Configure, Deploy, and Maintain: You'll be responsible for tactical and operational communications systems, making sure they run flawlessly.

  • Engineer Diverse Systems: From radios and satellite systems to computer networks and mobile communications, you'll handle it all.

  • Support Software Applications: Provide essential support for a wide range of software applications, keeping everything running smoothly.

Where You'll Make a Difference:

Network Engineers are indispensable wherever military communications are needed. You'll find opportunities to serve not just within the Army, but across wider Defence sectors including:

  • Government Departments

  • Royal Air Force

  • Navy

  • Rangers

  • Special and Airborne Forces

  • Cyber Defence

  • Electronic Warfare

  • Bomb Disposal

Why Join Us?

  • Global Impact: Play a crucial role in military operations across the globe.

  • Diverse Experiences: Work with cutting-edge technology and a variety of communication systems.

  • Career Growth: Opportunities to develop and advance within a dynamic and essential field.

If you're passionate about technology and eager to make a real difference, join the Royal Signals as a Network Engineer and be a key player in the information battle.

Royal Corps of Signals

Are you ready to become a leader in IT, Cyber, Telecommunications, or Electronic Warfare? The Royal Corps of Signals is seeking dynamic, flexible, and innovative individuals to join our ranks and lead the charge in the information battle.

As a member of the Royal Signals, you will be at the forefront of Defence activity, providing battle-winning communications and ensuring our forces are always connected. From setting up complex networks under fire to enabling communications for humanitarian missions, your role will be crucial in both conflict and peace. You will be instrumental in protecting allied networks and data while attacking those of the enemy.

Apply now

Have any questions? Talk with us

Video still of the network Eng 70sec video title

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 11 months

  • Qualifications:

    • GCSE grade 4/C, Scottish National 5 grade C, or above in Maths or ICT

    • and GCSE level 3/D, Scottish National 4, or above in English

    • or RQF level 2 equivalents. 

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.06

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Your initial military training 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 a 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
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 learn how to build and configure networks, manage system problems as well as gain an understanding of field generators and security, including cyber.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Driving Licences: CAT C + E

  • Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship

  • Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English

Through life learning opportunities and education up to Masters Degree level including:

  • Level 4 Team Leading

  • Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring

  • Level 6 Leadership and Management

  • Level 7 PG Certificate in Wireless Communication

  • Professional Registration with the Institute of Engineering and Technology at ICT Tech, IEng and CEng Levels

  • Professional Registration with the British Computer Society at RIT Tech and CITP levels

Pay & benefits

You'll earn £25,200 a year from the start of your training. On completion of your initial trade training, your skills and level of qualifications then attract another pay increase.

Find out more about pay and benefits.

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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