Power Engineer

Royal Signals

At a glance

  • Featured
  • Soldier
  • engineering
  • intelligence

"Distribute and maintain power to battle-winning cyber and communications systems. Power the Army's vital link. "

  • £18,687The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £23,496Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 11 months
  • QualificationsGCSEs or equivalent
power engineer

I MAINTAIN COMPLEX POWER SYSTEMS ON OPERATIONS WORLDWIDE. I AM ABLE TO ENGINEER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX POWER PROBLEMS.

You are vital to the success of battlefield communications. You will prepare, engineer and maintain complex power distribution systems to ensure that frontline troops and their commanders can communicate on operations worldwide. Trained to a high level you will be able to engineer a range of systems. The rest of the Army will rely on your battle-winning capabilities. You will receive a range of civilian recognised qualifications up to degree level and conduct an apprenticeship becoming a Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician. There are also opportunities for you to apply your knowledge, skills and experience to specialist roles such as Airborne Paratrooper or Special Forces Communicator.

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.

Apply now

Key Responsibilities

  • Become an expert and engineer and maintain and repair a range of power supply and distribution equipment

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

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

  • Continuous professional development equalling expert civilian industry leaders

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

Have any questions? Talk with us

electrical engineer

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

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

  • Qualifications:

    Qualifications
    GCSE level 4 or above in Maths, level 3 or above in English or RQF level 2 equivalents.

    Security Clearance Required
    CTC
    (SC at Ph 1) 

  • 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
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 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate.

  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do 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 whilst 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 will study to become a Power Engineer at the Royal School of Signals in Blandford Forum in Dorset, where you'll learn electrical principles, engine fundamentals, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), IET BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, introduction to IET BS2391-52 Inspecting and Testing, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC), basic power planning and operation and use of hand and power tools. With this new knowledge, you will learn how to supply, maintain and manage Electrical Power Systems using systems designed for military use and civilian bought off of the shelf items. In addition to this you will study the management, maintenance and operation of the equipment used regularly by the Royal Signals. You’ll practice these skills in a variety of environments in conjunction with developing your leadership skills to allow you to fulfil the role of required of you.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Driving licences: B+E, C+E

  • Level 2 functional skills in Maths, English and IT

  • Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician

  • C&G 2377-22: Portable Appliance Testing

  • C&G 2391-52: Initial verification, periodic inspection and testing of electrical circuits and installations

  • C&G 2396: Design, Erection and Verification of Electrical Installations

  • IEE BS7671: Wiring Regulations (18th Ed)

  • IEC 60309 and BS1363: International Standards for plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposesHeating, Ventilation and Air Con (HVAC) – FGAS Certificates in Groups 1,2 and 3

  • Professional registration with Institute for Engineering and Technology (IET) at Eng Tech Level

  • Level 4 Team Leading

  • Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring

  • Level 6 Leadership and Management

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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