The primary role of a Field Engineer is varied and exciting. Your purpose is to maintain the Army’s ability to move and manoeuvre on the battlefield without interference from hostile forces. You will provide the Army with combat engineering support and be skilled in the areas of explosives, bridge construction and demolition, field surveying, mine clearance, booby traps, explosives search, boating, water supply, tree felling, sawmill operation, minor construction, rigging and small engines.

Your secondary function/role as a Field Engineer will be as a Rifleman performing general combat duties.
This trade is available to both Regular Force and Army Reserve Soldiers and is lead by Officers from the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE).
 

JOB ON CAMP

As a Field Engineer, your time spent on camp will consist of continuous training with the Army’s latest equipment. You will head out on exercises throughout New Zealand practicing combat engineering skills that will help the Army move effectively around the battlefield.

While not performing the primary roles and duties of a Field Engineer, your secondary role will be as a rifleman; as such you will also continue your soldier training including weapons, medical and radio/communications training.
 

JOB ON DEPLOYMENT

When deployed as a Field Engineer you will have the opportunity to put to use the skills you have learnt throughout your training, these include:
 

• De mining and mine awareness education
• Construction of field defences
• Gap crossing for Army assets
• Demolition
   

A key part of a Field Engineer’s role on deployment is the concept of winning resources – taking a resource and making it usable for Army operations e.g. the construction of temporary roads and runways from existing materials.

Overseas RNZE personnel can be found in small contingents around the globe. Places they have previously been deployed include Antarctica, Mozambique, USA, Australia, East Timor, South Pacific Islands, Bosnia and Iraq.

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

While undertaking initial Recruit Course you will be paid as a Recruit (see attached pay table). On completion of  your Recruit Course you will be paid as a Private and your pay will continue to increase as your career progresses.

• You must be at least 17 years of age
• Meet the citizenship & security requirements to gain CV security clearance for this trade

• You must have completed at least three years at secondary school
• NCEA level one with 12 credits in Maths and English
   

You must be medically fit for service.

Depending on which higher qualifications you choose to undertake, the return of service can be up to two years.

Training New Zealand Certificate of Quarry Shotfirer Course 24 months.

New Zealand Certificate of Quarry Operations Manager Course 24 months.

In New Zealand there is one predominant Field Engineer unit, based in Linton. A small number of Field Engineers are located in Burnham and a specialist support group in Auckland. During your career, you may opt for a regimental posting to a training establishment or a career advisory appointment.