Merlin Helicopter Force Air Engineering Technician, Avionics OR Mechanical Trade Supervisor (ZigZag)

Grade: OR6 – Petty Officer

Contract: Full time (40 hrs per week), 36‑month contract. No Mobility

Security clearance: SC

Closing date: 11/03/26 23:55

All offers of employment are subject to UK security clearance. To gain this clearance applicants normally need at least five years’ UK residency.

The ZigZag Career Pathway is an innovative Defence initiative that offers novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces. It’s a pilot programme that opens the door for people from a range of backgrounds to apply their professional skills in meaningful Defence roles.

This opportunity is open to civilians, veterans and reservists. Whether you’ve never served before or are looking to return, the ZigZag Career Pathway offers you the chance to work in fixed‑term military roles that are matched to your qualifications and experience.

ZigZag roles may be offered with a range of mobility commitments. Successful candidates will be supported with tailored onboarding, the right level of training, and a structured and supported induction into the Armed Forces environment.

Within Defence, the Royal Navy’s Air Engineer Technicians play a mission‑critical role at the heart of a close‑knit team, using cutting‑edge skills to keep Royal Navy aircraft safe, reliable, and ready for operations. You can find more information about aviation in the Royal Navy here.

To manage and coordinate watch trade engineering tasks on 824 Naval Air Squadron’s fleet of Merlin Mk2 aircraft, ensuring efficient task progression, accurate technical oversight, and effective communication across the Watch. The role provides specialist trade advice, supports engineering decision‑making, and maintains the highest standards of airworthiness and maintenance practice in support of Merlin Helicopter Force’s responsibility to provide force elements at readiness to meet military tasks and operations as directed by Navy Command.

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• Work in liaison with and provide specialist advice to the Duty Engineer, Watch Chief Petty Officer (WCPO) and other Watch Trade Leads.
  
• Act as a Watch Maintenance Controller within their respective trade.
  
• Stand in for the WCPO as required.
  
• Assist the Trade Chief Petty Officer in the co‑ordination of MF760/765 within trade.
  
• Take part in Squadron Pilot debriefs associated to aircraft faults within their trade boundaries.
  
• Ensure appropriate trade cover is available during the period of planned flying for any aircraft faults reported on the line by the Aircrew.
  

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

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• Experience conducting or supporting aircraft maintenance activities on the Merlin Mk2 aircraft.
  
• Experience allocating engineering personnel to tasks and managing work progress in a fast‑paced environment.
  
• Experience providing fault diagnosis and technical advice within the avionics OR mechanical trade on the Merlin Mk2 aircraft.
  
• Effective leadership and communication skills which should include the ability to receive and deliver verbal aircrew de‑briefings and compilation of a written trade handover log.
  
• Ability to assess engineering problems, identify trends, and propose sound engineering solutions impacting airworthiness, particularly when under time‑pressure.
  

The individual must have undertaken POAET QC (or hold a CAA Category B licence appropriate to their trade) and have had previous experience as a Supervisor of aircraft maintenance, ideally on the Merlin Mk2 aircraft.

Depending on the trade of the applicant:

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• Merlin Mk2 Avionic Supervisor (FAS034ML), 8 wks at RNAS CULDROSE – This course may be waived by the Squadron Level J authorized engineer depending on the time since the applicant last worked on Merlin Mk2.
  
• Merlin Mk2 Mechanical Supervisor (FM401SSV), 6.5 wks at RNAS CULDROSE – This course may be waived by the Squadron Level J authorized engineer depending on the time since the applicant last worked on Merlin Mk2.
  
• Additional training, including on aviation electronic recording systems (e.g. GOLDesp) will also be provided based on the prior experience of the successful applicant.
  

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• Salary: £47,763–52,593 per year.
  
• Pension: automatic enrolment in the non‑contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (opt‑out available).
  
• Leave: 30 days’ annual leave plus eight UK bank holidays.
  
• Other benefits: Free medical and dental care, childcare benefits, enhanced parental leave packages, and flexible service arrangements.
  

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• Application: submit a CV via the SERVE portal. Eligibility checks are completed, and applications are sifted for suitability.
  
• Interview: shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview covering technical skills, qualifications and suitability for military service (command, leadership and management experience).
  
• Offer: successful candidates receive terms and conditions, and a job offer letter.
  

Don’t meet all the requirements? Get in touch anyway – we are keen to hear from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. For questions or more information, contact: People‑Tx‑.