British Army - Network Engineer - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

This is an opportunity to embark on a full-time career in the British Army (Royal Signals). Join the front lines of digital warfare as a Network Engineer. From tactical radios to global satellite systems, you'll be the backbone of communications, ensuring troops stay connected and commanders stay ahead of the enemy.

Wage

£25,200 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Network engineer (level 4)

Hours

Shift and working patterns may vary. Working locations will vary nationally depending on the apprenticeship and working requirements. Days and times to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 January 2026

Duration

2 years 6 months

Positions available

40

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

Engineer, maintain and repair a range of communications equipment.

Install, service and repair telecommunications data cable networks, data centres, configure switches, routers, servers and LAN access equipment.

Get continuous personal and professional development, including civilian accredited transferable qualifications.

Learn to drive and operate military vehicles ranging from Land Rovers and HGVs to fully armoured fighting vehicles.

Operate as a Royal Signals soldier conducting military tasks wherever the British Army is deployed.

Learn to instruct and pass on your expert skills and knowledge.

Where you’ll work

UK Country wide
SO21 2RG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

BRITISH ARMY

Your training course

Network engineer (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

apply the appropriate tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks
install and configure the elements required to maintain and manage a secure network
implement techniques to monitor and record systems performance in line with defined specifications
maintain security and performance of the system against known and standard threats
apply the appropriate tools and techniques to identify systems performance issues
apply the appropriate tools and techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and isolate, repair or escalate faults
communicate outcomes of tasks and record in line with organisational procedures and SLAs including adherence to customer service standards
upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime. This should include backup processes
record task details whether face-to-face, remote or in writing in line with ogranisational requirements
interpret information received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements
monitor, identify and implement required maintenance procedures
implement techniques to optimise systems performance in line with defined specifications
organise and prioritise clients or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organization processes
explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints in appropriate language considering accessibility and diversity implications
operate securely and apply the appropriate process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities
communicate with a range of stakeholders taking into consideration the organisations cultural awareness and technical ability
apply the appropriate level of responsibility when planning and prioritising work tasks
apply the relevant numerical skills (Binary, dotted decimal notation) required to meet the defined specifications
ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes
select the appropriate tools and comply with organisation policies and processes when upgrading systems
apply the appropriate tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks
install and configure the elements required to maintain and manage a secure network
implement techniques to monitor and record systems performance in line with defined specifications
maintain security and performance of the system against known and standard threats
apply the appropriate tools and techniques to identify systems performance issues
apply the appropriate tools and techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and isolate, repair or escalate faults
communicate outcomes of tasks and record in line with organisational procedures and SLAs including adherence to customer service standards
upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime. This should include backup processes
record task details whether face-to-face, remote or in writing in line with ogranisational requirements
interpret information received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements
monitor, identify and implement required maintenance procedures
implement techniques to optimise systems performance in line with defined specifications
organise and prioritise clients or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organization processes
explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints in appropriate language considering accessibility and diversity implications
operate securely and apply the appropriate process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities
communicate with a range of stakeholders taking into consideration the organisations cultural awareness and technical ability
apply the appropriate level of responsibility when planning and prioritising work tasks
apply the relevant numerical skills (Binary, dotted decimal notation) required to meet the defined specifications
ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes
select the appropriate tools and comply with organisation policies and processes when upgrading systems

Your training plan

R SIGNALS soldiers will start L4 Network Engineer during Initial Trade Training (ITT) and continue their learning in the Field Army.

Step 1 - Your initial military training, which will teach you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you'll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you'll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.

Step 2 - This is the start of your technical training designed to introduce basic signalling and communication skills while building on your existing military skills. You will be taught basic principles and skills, such as siting, operating and talking on military radios, radio logs, map marking, working at heights, health and safety, and, of course, security. As your career progresses you learn how to build and configure networks, manage system problems as well as gain an understanding of field generators and security, including cyber.

Qualifications you could get after training:

Driving licences: B+E Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship or
Level 3 Network Cable Installer Apprenticeship
Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths, English and IT
Level 7 PG Cert Wireless Communications
Certified Network Cable Installer
City and Guilds: 3663-03 Designing and Planning Networks, 3667-02 Fibre Optic Tech, 3667-02 SWS Structure and Cabling
Chartered Management Institute Level 4 Team Leading, Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring, Level 6 Leadership and Management
Level 4 Team Leading
Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring
Level 6 Leadership and Management Apprenticeship
Professional Registration with the Institute of for Engineering and Technology at ICT Tech, IEng and CEng levels
Professional Registration with the British Computer Society at RIT Tech and CITP levels

Through life learning opportunities and education up to Masters Degree level.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English or RQF Lvl 2 equivalent (grade 3/D or above)
Maths or ICT (grade 4/C or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Initiative

Other requirements

The British Army recruits throughout the year and you should ignore the application closing dates shown against this advert.

About this company

Protecting the nation and its dependent territories will always be the British Army's first role. Highly trained soldiers are ready to deploy anywhere at any time to meet a variety of challenges, ranging from support to the Police following a terrorist attack, to specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and intelligence experts, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, we are always ready to serve. You belong here.

https://www.army.mod.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The Army offers job security, career growth, adventure and world-class training. Benefits include competitive pay, travel, fitness, leadership skills, a pension, free healthcare, cheaper housing and 30 days of paid leave a year, plus public holidays.

After this apprenticeship

The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the British Army. Promotion, along with increased salary and responsibility is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection. As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest values and standards expected of the British Army. You belong here.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BRITISH ARMY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000303866.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 1 December 2025

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

At this link you can find more information about the roles offered by the British Army. We have positions available for all roles throughout the year and you can ignore the application open/closing dates shown against this apprenticeship advertisement. Once you have completed an application you will be invited to complete an aptitude assessment, selection interview, health assessment and a fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.

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British Army - Network Engineer - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

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