The Royal Navy - Weapon Engineer Accelerated Apprentice (Submariner)
Royal Navy
Hampshire (PO2 8BY)
Closes on Thursday 1 August 2030
Posted on 9 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Joining the Royal Navy on the Accelerated Apprentice Scheme (Submariner) as a Weapons Engineer means being fast-tracked to working with one of our most elite teams. You'll be paid to study, gain practical skills and use highly sophisticated equipment. Prior to that, you'll spend time in active service.
- Wage
-
£33,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
• A £5,000 bonus on being awarded your Dolphins – the mark of a qualified submariner • Additional Submariner pay for every day at sea once you’re fully qualified.
- Training course
- Maritime electrical fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 2 August 2030
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
60
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Duties and responsibilities will include:
Be a crucial part of one of our most respected and highly trained teams
- As a Weapon Engineer Submariner (WESM) you could be guaranteeing the efficiency of Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, or providing the nation's nuclear deterrent.
- Work on board a Vanguard Class submarine, ensuring the nation's nuclear deterrent is operational, or an Astute Class vessel where you'll be part of some highly classified hunter killer operations. Operate at the highest levels of the industry as you complete an accelerated scheme to become a nuclear engineer.
- After that, you can extend your service, apply to become a commissioned officer, or transfer your new skills to a career in the civilian sector.
Where you'll work
Navy Command HQ
The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8BY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ROYAL NAVY
Training course
Maritime electrical fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Obtain, read, analyse and interpret engineering data, drawings or documentation used in the design, build, operation and repair of maritime vessels such as job instructions, circuit diagrams, drawings and quality control documentation.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Use approved processes and procedures for maritime electrical work.
- Carry out maritime electrical quality assurance checks.
- Resolve maritime electrical engineering problems within the limits of their responsibility. Escalate un-resolved fault issues or problems.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity. Return any resources and consumables.
- Measure and mark out maritime electrical components.
- Select and use hand and power tools to cut, shape and finish maritime electrical components.
- Install and remove maritime electrical equipment or components, sub-assemblies or whole systems.
- Apply maritime electrical assembly and use methods and techniques such as inspection, terminations, connections, fastening, tightening, cleaning and calibration. on maritime vessels.
- Apply testing, inspection and diagnostic techniques used in the maritime electrical environment.
- Apply planned, preventative and corrective maintenance techniques on mechanical electrical components, equipment and systems.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply team working principles.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Record and enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Obtain, read, analyse and interpret engineering data, drawings or documentation used in the design, build, operation and repair of maritime vessels such as job instructions, circuit diagrams, drawings and quality control documentation.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Use approved processes and procedures for maritime electrical work.
- Carry out maritime electrical quality assurance checks.
- Resolve maritime electrical engineering problems within the limits of their responsibility. Escalate un-resolved fault issues or problems.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity. Return any resources and consumables.
- Measure and mark out maritime electrical components.
- Select and use hand and power tools to cut, shape and finish maritime electrical components.
- Install and remove maritime electrical equipment or components, sub-assemblies or whole systems.
- Apply maritime electrical assembly and use methods and techniques such as inspection, terminations, connections, fastening, tightening, cleaning and calibration. on maritime vessels.
- Apply testing, inspection and diagnostic techniques used in the maritime electrical environment.
- Apply planned, preventative and corrective maintenance techniques on mechanical electrical components, equipment and systems.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply team working principles.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Record and enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Training schedule
By the end of your training you will be qualified as a Level 3 Maritime Electrical Fitter, equivalent to 2 A-Levels.
You can also gain academic qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, even a degree. As well as helping you develop your Royal Navy career, everything you achieve will be recognised and valued by future civilian employers.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
A quick thinker, with a passion for working with the latest equipment and technology. A problem-solver who can work well as part of a team. A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness. Enthusiasm for fixing and maintaining electronic and mechanical systems.
About this employer
The Royal Navy (RN) is responsible for the protection of British interests at home and around the World. 95% of all world trade passes through the high seas and every year Britain imports £524 billion worth of goods. The RN takes an active part in the protection of British Shipping. Around the United Kingdom the RN protects vital fishing stocks by monitoring fishing activities in our waters. We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore Key Dates
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
You’ll start your naval career as a Probationary Leading Hand. With experience and further training, you could be promoted to Petty Officer and beyond. If you show the right commitment, skills and academic ability, you could become a Commissioned Officer.
Members of the Royal Navy are promoted on merit, work hard, and you can rise through the ranks.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ROYAL NAVY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041678.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 1 August 2030
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.