Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals (RNZ Sigs)

The Role

As a Systems Engineer your role is to provide technical engineering support to the NZ Army's Communication Information Systems fleet. You will plan, install, commission and engineer communications systems from single channel telegraph, to radio and satellite systems. As a Systems Engineer you will need to work in sole charge and in team environments, often in high pressure situations, to ensure integral communication systems are open and maintained at tactical, operational and strategic levels of conflict.

Post Basic Training

Your trade training will take approximately six years to complete. Throughout this time the NZ Army will provide training within your chosen professional field of employment. To start with, you will undergo the National Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering as well as attending courses on computer networks, system management and engineering. You will learn how to configure network devices such as routers, switches, aggregate multi-plexes and computers. You will also learn how to operate and engineer satellites, radios, telephone exchanges, transmission media and modems so as to provide 'end-to-end' communication platforms within modern day peace keeping and battlefield conflict zones.

Post recruit training is a combination of Polytechnic, School of Signals and on the job training. Adding to your professional engineering development, you will attend a number of junior and senior RNZ Sigs command courses so as to develop your leadership and command strategy thinking within various demanding operational scenario settings. All of this training will make for a diverse and challenging learning environment within the NZ Army.

Postings/Where You Will Work

Initial posting

On completion of your recruit training at Waiouru you could be posted to either Linton(Palmerston North) or Burnham (Christchurch).

Later on

You will be posted to other areas such as Wellington, Trentham and Waiouru as you move up within rank and seniority in your chosen trade of Systems Engineers.

Overseas

Systems Engineers will deploy on a variety of overseas missions from three to six month deployments in support of peacekeeping and operational deployments.

Getting Started

Army Apprenticeship

• Systems Engineer
• Minimum age 17
• Year 12 completion
• School Qualifications: A proven ability in English, Maths and Physics at NCEA Level 2 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent.
• Additional Information: Must be a current New Zealand Citizen for security vetting purposes.  100% visual colour perception required.

All Arms Recruit Course (AARC):

For the first 16 weeks you will attend recruit training in Waiouru where you will adapt from civilian to Army life and learn to be a soldier. Once this is completed, you will be ready to start learning your trade.

Things To Know About The Army Before You Join

Have you got what it takes?

1. Be medically and physically fit.
   Before you undertake AARC (All Arms Recruit Course) it is essential that you are reasonably fit and free of injuries and medical problems. To give yourself a head start, you should aim to achieve the Army's minimum standard of fitness before you start AARC Training.
2. Be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
   To be enlisted into the New Zealand Army, applicants must either be New Zealand Citizens or hold a Permanent Residence Visa. Upon enlistment, non-citizens must sign an undertaking that they will apply for New Zealand Citizenship when eligible.
3. Be free from criminal convictions.
   The Army has a high dependence on trust and use of technical equipment and weapons, and looks for recruits who are trustworthy and reliable. For this reason, all applicants undergo a police records check, and any convictions are assessed on the severity of the offence.
4. Be 17 or older to join.
   Applicants must be 17 years of age or older to enlist into the New Zealand Army. You can however start your application prior to turning 17 years old.
5. Satisfy the Army's standards of dress and presentation.
   There are a few rules in regards to dress standards in the Army. For instance, there are provisions as to what jewellery you can and cannot wear and also how long/short your hair should be.
6. The Armed Forces expects a high standard of personal conduct and self-discipline.
   It may take a bit of getting used to at first, but once you settle into the routine of Army life, your confidence and self discipline will enable you to handle any situation.
7.  A career in the Army is more than a job - it's a lifestyle.
   One of the key things about life in the Army is that your job will vary and you'll be doing many different things. While you are in an Army Camp, your job is pretty much like any other 9 to 5 job, but you'll also spend time training overseas or elsewhere in New Zealand.
8. The Army offers a competitive income.
   As you complete training courses and your time in the Army increases, your salary increases with it. The cost of living in an Army Camp is low, giving you more disposable income to spend as you wish. And with access to recreational facilities and benefits provided by the Army, your final overall salary package is very competitive. The Army also provides, amongst other things, free medical and dental services, a Government subsidised superannuation fund and accommodation subsidies.
9. Testing areas for specific trades.
   The Army's selection process includes a series of basic aptitude tests on subjects ranging from spelling and mathematics to test areas specific to your chosen trade. For details on the process, including practice tests, visit our Test Preparation section.

These are the basic elements involved in joining the Army. For a more detailed outline, check out our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section or the Joining Requirements section.

• You must do medical, fitness and aptitude tests to check that you are fit, healthy and suited to a career in the Army
• See your local recruiter or visit our website to obtain a copy of our fitness planner
• You will also be interviewed and have to attend Assessment Days, which include career counselling, physical activities and preparation training
• If you make the grade and are accepted into the Army, you will either go on to do 16 weeks basic training for full-time service, or attend a shorter course (three weeks) for Territorial Force service (part-time). This will prepare you for military life
• Once you have completed the basic training, you will go to a unit and join your Corps.