Navy - Marine Engineer Officer

Defence Technology Agency; Devonport-Takapuna; On-site; NZD 62,894 - 76,871; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Graduate scholarships for engineering students

Sponsored tertiary study programmes

Access to gyms and subsidised food

Job summary

Defence Technology Agency is seeking Marine Engineer Officers in Auckland. The role involves leading skilled technicians on board a ship, managing complex systems, and performing critical operations including fire-fighting and damage control.

Candidates must be at least 18 and preferably hold an engineering degree. The position offers a competitive salary of $69,883 during training, with potential earnings reaching $142,000.

Qualifications

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age upon entry.
• Direct Entry applicants must hold or be in their final year of a relevant engineering degree.
• Experience in engineering specialisations like mechanical, electrical or mechatronics is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technicians to operate and maintain ship systems.
• Manage critical incident responses for fire-fighting and damage control.
• Be responsible for through-life maintenance support of naval ships.

Skills

Leadership

Logical thinking

Teamwork

Education

BE(Hons) or BEngTech

NCEA Level 3 with 18 credits in Level 3 Mathematics and Physics

Job description

Marine Engineer Officers are the Navy’s experts on ship’s structure, propulsion, power generation, hydraulic and habitability systems.

About the role

Engineering & Technical trades | Officers & Management

Entry type: Under training

Salary: $69,883

Location: On board a ship you will lead a team of skilled technicians who operate and maintain this diverse range of equipment. You will also be the critical incident manager in the ship’s response to fire-fighting and damage control situations.

Leadership and the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment will be your key qualities. You are also likely to be a logical thinker, work well in a team, and seek challenging work environments.

Accepting Applications

Junior Officer Common Training 27-1, starts 18 Jan 2027 Apply by 18 Jul 2026

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age upon entry.
• Direct Entry applicants need to hold, or be in their final year of, a BE(Hons) or BEngTech. Typically applicants specialise in mechanical, electrical or mechatronics engineering, however, applicants from most engineering specialisations will be considered, including Chemical, Process, Materials and Electronics.

Scholarship entry

The Navy offers graduate and undergraduate scholarships for engineering students who demonstrate the qualities required to become a Marine Engineer Officer.

The minimum educational requirement to apply for a scholarship is NCEA Level 3 with 18 credits in Level 3 Mathematics and Physics and University Entrance.

The scholarships are:

• Salary (Tangaroa) Scheme: Become an Officer in the Navy and be paid to study at the University of Auckland, Massey University (Albany Campus), or the Auckland University of Technology on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis. There will also be an opportunity for one Tangaroa Scheme MEO per year to study naval architecture through the conjoint AUT and University of Tasmania maritime studies programme.
• Bursary (Chatham) Scheme: Study at the university of your choice while the Navy covers your fees and a living allowance on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis.
• Graduate (Amakoura) Scheme: Study at the university of your choice and, on completion of your degree, you will have approximately a quarter of your course fees reimbursed annually for every year you serve for up to four years. No return of service incurred.

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the SV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions.

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.

Job on base

With shore based positions, located in both Auckland and Wellington, you, as a Marine Engineer Officer will ultimately be responsible for the through-life maintenance support of naval ships, procurement projects, as well as the management, welfare and training of our officers and sailors.

Your career will be managed so that you are exposed to a diverse range of positions such as project management, equipment procurement or upgrades, system performance analysis and maintenance planning. Rotating regularly through these roles, you will develop a broad experience base of marine engineering tasks. Additional specialised training will be provided in fields such as project management, to ensure you have the skills set required for each job.

Job on deployment

Once qualified you will lead a Ships Marine Engineering Department with a team of up to 35 skilled technicians. You will be responsible directly to the Ships Commanding Officer for the performance and availability of the systems, equipment and personnel under your charge, including their welfare and training. In this position you will be part of the ship’s senior leadership team, responsible for achieving the government’s objectives. While deployed there are always excellent opportunities to experience different ports and environments in New Zealand and explore exotic international locations and cultures overseas.

Training Objectives

The objective of JOCT is to provide you with the core skills of military, mariner, and leadership to be an effective Officer in the Navy. The course is completed in two phases of training that train key areas of development.

Phase 1 – Introduction

• Physical Fitness
• Service Knowledge
• Introduction to the Leadership Development Framework
• Damage Control Training
• Weapons Training
• First Aid
• Basic seamanship training
• Moving to advanced application

Phase 2 – Fit for Sea

• 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.
• 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
• Subsidised insurance cover

Careers in the Navy 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.

Salary & Benefits

Under training: $69,883

Future potential earnings: $142,000

Physical & Medical Fitness

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.