About the role
As a Systems Engineer your role is to provide network engineering support to the NZ Army’s Communication Information Systems fleet. You will initially receive a Diploma in Information and Communication Technology and later work towards a Bachelors with a double major in Networking and Security. This study is full time and funded by the Army, so you will still earn while you learn.
* Service Army
* Specialisation Intelligence, IT and Communications
* Location Palmerston North | Christchurch
* Starting Trade Training $64,177
About the role
For future intakes, you will join the Army as an IT Specialist, before branching into a specific trade towards the end of Signals Corps training: Either Systems Engineer, Electronic Warfare Operator, Information Management Specialist, Information Systems Operator or Radio Frequency Technician.
As a Systems Engineer your role is to provide technical engineering support to the NZ Army's Communication Information Systems (CIS) fleet. You will work in a team environment, often in high pressure situations. You will ensure integral communication systems are established and maintained to support our personnel in achieving their tasks.
During your training you will learn everything required to provide a range of services required to keep channels of communication open. Working with local area networks and managing routing, encryption and communication links, you will be able to engineer, diagnose and repair cabling and other Army communications equipment.
Job on base
Your day to day activities will involve working as a member in a Communications Access Node (CAN) Detachment. This will see you plan, install, configure and engineer networked communications systems. As well as your day to day Systems Engineering tasks, you will also conduct training to stay proficient in soldiering skills such as physical fitness, weapon handling, first aid and general teamwork.
Job on deployment
Deployments of NZ Army personnel will almost always require our own communication networks. As such, Systems Engineers will deploy on a variety of overseas missions and exercises. These can range from short duration missions to establish or upgrade equipment to six month deployments in support of sustained operations. Whilst deployed, Systems Engineers will provide technical engineering support to the NZ Army's deployed Communication Information Systems fleet. This includes but is not limited to switching, routing, encryption and communication links management.
Our job’s quite important because we need the infrastructure to be able to send data from way out in the middle of nowhere.
Career progression and training
Your trade training includes a mixture of Army courses, on the job training and tertiary study, spanning over an approximate nine year period. Courses to progress your career will vary in content. Trade specific coursing will focus on your individual technical skills as a Systems Engineer. Promotion coursing will focus on your personal communication, decision making and leadership ability. Further coursing will develop your ability to make technical and tactical decisions so that you can provide the right communications solutions at the right time, to the right people.
Your training will include tertiary study at Universal College of Learning (UCOL) in Palmerston North. This will be towards a Bachelor of Information & Communications Technology (BICT), with a double major in Networking and Security.
Your initial posting location will be to Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North. As your career progresses, job opportunities in Auckland, Waiouru, Wellington and Christchurch can become available.
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Military Camp. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army. The training will include:
* Organisation and Administration
* Army Customs and Protocol
* Drill and Parades
* Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
* First Aid
* Physical Fitness
Trade Promotion Courses
The Detachment Commanders Course and the Troop Sergeants Course are part of your career progression. They are designed to test your trade knowledge and skills as well as your leadership ability. The skills you learn on these courses are then put to use during your day to day work back at your unit and in the field. The Communications Information System Electronic Warfare Managers Course is a more advanced course which will train you in the administration, design and management of communications systems. The course is designed to test your management skills and your ability to manoeuvre communications assets on the battlefield.
Salary and benefits
Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
50,597
Under Initial Training
64,177
Starting Trade Training
129,061
Future Potential Earnings
Figures updated on July 1st 2023
Benefits and allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
* Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
* Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
* Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
* Opportunities to travel
* Free and subsidised medical and dental care
* Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
* Free and subsidised insurance cover
* Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Entry requirements
You must be at least 18 years of age upon completion of recruit course (basic training).
You must have been a NZ Citizen for a minimum of 10 years.
Complete a 10 year background history check that can be checked with the New Zealand authorities to obtain high level security clearance.
You must be able to obtain a TSV security clearance.
Be medically fit for service.
Meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
Colour perception restrictions.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required TSV security clearance for this trade.
On completion of your training, there may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Engagement Facilitator for more information.
Ready to start your Army career?
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