This career is ideal if you like getting your hands dirty as well as using your head to solve technical problems. As a vital part of our ground crew, you’ll be trained to manufacture and repair a variety of equipment, using various metals and alloys.

As an Aeronautical Metal Worker you’ll be a member of the ground crew, jointly responsible for all aspects of maintenance required to support Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft operations, both in New Zealand and overseas. The aeronautical metal worker trade covers two separate specialisations: aeronautical metal work and general engineering.

Job on Base

Aeronautical Metal Work

This includes the manufacture, modification and repair of aeronautical components such as aircraft structure, armament and mechanical components. You will conduct your tasks using a wide range of specialist metalworking and welding applications. You can expect to be working with various materials including aluminium,stainless steel, cast-alloys, chrome-molly steels and titanium.

General Engineering

The RNZAF uses a broad range of non-aeronautical tools and equipment to facilitate its day-to-day activities. Aeronautical Metal Workers play a crucial role in the manufacture and repair of this equipment. In general this role involves the fabrication of light-to medium engineering tasks in steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

Job on Deployment

RNZAF units often live and operate from a field or camp environment when deployed on missions or exercises within New Zealand or overseas; these units need to be largely self-sufficient.

In the camp maintainer role RNZAF Metal Workers are responsible for the general maintenance of a tented camp and thus play a pivotal role in ensuring camps are self-sufficient and functioning correctly.Duties may range from simply changing a tap washer to the highly skilled and important role of water filtration, storage and disposal.

This is a crucial, hands-on role that provides great experiences at home and abroad.

Career Progression

After gaining considerable experience, you’ll be given greater responsibilities encompassing management of metal-working tasks and associated equipment. Metal Workers who have completed all their trade training are known as Master Aeronautical Metal Workers.

In addition to using their trade skills Master Aeronautical Metal Workers are eligible to perform military command and leadership duties as a team leader and may be required to manage section budgets.

Team leaders are responsible for the personnel under their command, including the conduct of personnel performance appraisals, mentoring, personnel development planning, and the maintenance of discipline. Master Aeronautical Metal Workers with substantial trade knowledge and experience may also be appointed as instructors where they will train and assess trainee Aeronautical Metal Workers.

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from your enlistment is $35,694. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $42,487 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

• You must be at least 17 years of age.

• Applicants must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

• A minimum of 12 NCEA Level 1 credits (Level 2 preferred) in English, Maths and a Science or Design Technology subject.

Aeronautical Engineering Course

• As a first step you will need to complete the full-time 17 week Aeronautical Engineering Course with NMIT.  This is undertaken privately and is a prerequisite to joining the RNZAF. Your NMIT Course fees will be reimbursed to you when you commence your RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Training Course.

• Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation as a Master Aeronautical Metal Worker, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another 24 months in the Air Force.

• Woodbourne, near Blenheim
• Ohakea