Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Intelligence, IT & Communications
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Devonport
As a Combat System Specialist, you will work with a large team in Ships Operations Rooms using military radar and information systems to build a picture of the environment surrounding a warship. You will locate, track and classify surface ships, submarines and aircraft to inform action - whether to intercept pirates or drug smugglers, check fishing boats for quota compliance, conduct a search and rescue, hunt terrorists and weapons smugglers or let the whale pass by.
Combat System Specialists are integral to protecting the Ship through successful engagement of targets with both shipboard and airborne weapons. A key part of the role is operating remotely controlled weapons systems, including the Phalanx CIWS, Typhoon and Mini-Typhoon heavy machine gun to defeat threats. You’ll also be responsible for directing Maritime Helicopters in tasks such as Search and Rescue or anti-submarine warfare.
In this role, you’ll contribute to the daily operations of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and take part in missions such as boarding fishing vessels in the Ross Sea (Antarctica) or ensuring maritime trade routes remain open in the South China Sea, Malacca Straits and Arabian Gulf. As you operate in these areas, you'll become familiar with many ports and cities, especially those of Sydney, Freemantle and Singapore where the RNZN spends a lot of time.
Accepting Applications
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Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 May 2025
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
Education
Minimum: NCEA Level 2 certificate.
Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements
Fitness & Medical
- You must be medically fit for service.
- You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade. Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
There may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
See what it's like to live on a Navy ship, launch torpedos, detect targets and threats, be the heartbeat of the war-fighting effort and so much more.
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Job on base
When working on shore, you will work at the Combat System Trainer. This is a high fidelity simulator that replicates the Operations room aboard our Anzac class Frigates: HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana. The training allows other Combat System Specialists to progress through their career and will also allow you to upskill and grow your knowledge.
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Job on deployment
At the early stages of your career, you will be posted to our Patrol vessels, working to locate and identify surface ships of interest. Your core role will be to contact these vessels via radio, collect information from them and prepare them to be visited by the Ship’s boarding team.
Boarding may take place during fisheries patrols in support of the Ministry of Primary Industries, or during customs patrols to support NZ Customs Service and maintain the integrity of Aotearoa’s maritime borders. In these roles you will also work closely with Fisheries Officers both around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. It is on board Patrol vessels that you will operate the Typhoon Weapon system to defend the ship.
On-board our purpose built warships, you’ll be responsible for operating the Combat Management System to operate radars and other sensors to locate and detect threats for the ship to engage and destroy. Our Anzac class Frigates predominantly operate around the Arabian Gulf and South China Sea with partner Navies. It is on-board Frigates that you will operate the Phalanx CIWS and Mini-Typhoon Weapon system to defend the ship and direct the Ship's helicopter.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you will be posted to Devonport, Auckland. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:
- Teamwork and support
- Naval history and customs
- Drill and parades
- Core mariner skills and weapons training
- First aid and firefighting
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
02Job Training
Job Training
Able Combat Systems Specialist (ACSS) Phase One
Duration: 9 Weeks | Location: Devonport, Auckland
Subjects include:
- Operation of the Typhoon Weapons system
- Operation of Radars
- Introduction to Amphibious Warfare
- Detection, Tracking and Reporting of Surface Vessels of Interest
- Military Communication via radio
- Operation of Naval Command and Control Systems
- Radar theory
ACSS Phase Two
Duration: 18 Weeks | Location: Devonport, Auckland
Subjects include:
- Operate Mini-Typhoon weapons system
- Prepare and Fire Torpedoes
- Operate Advanced Military Radars
- Operate Sonar
- Operate ANZAC Frigate Combat Management System 330
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Throughout your career as a Combat System Specialist, you will continually be training both ashore and at sea.
Ashore, you will train and update your skillsets in our weapons simulators and state-of-the-art Operations Room Simulator - the only one of its kind in New Zealand. This training ensures you remain competent to conduct operations at sea as part of a large team. There will also be opportunities to go to other nations and conduct training, predominantly in Australia, England and Canada. Our Petty Officer Combat System Specialist course is conducted with the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom.
At sea, you will conduct exercises onboard RNZN ships to refine the training you receive ashore and improve on teamwork in the Operations Room. We train with partner Navies from around the world including Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, UK and USA around Australia and the Malacca Straits (Singapore).
04Career progression
Career progression
On completion of basic trade training, you will become an Able Combat Systems Specialist (ACSS) Phase One and post to a Patrol vessel to consolidate your learning and put your sailor skills to practice.
After 12 to 18 months on a Patrol vessel you will conduct your ACSS Phase 2 course to learn the specialised Anzac Frigate systems, before posting to HMNZS Te Kaha or HMNZS Te Mana.
After an additional two years, you will conduct the Leading Hand Combat System Specialist Course (LCSS). This covers more in-depth areas of warfare and how to combat threats to the ship to ensure success of the mission. On this course, you will deepen your knowledge of the Frigate Combat Management System, gain supervision and leadership skills, and learn to direct Ship's helicopters in missions such as search and rescue or anti-submarine warfare.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
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Under training
$68,103
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Future potential earnings
$98,000
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Navy career?
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