Job: Weapon Technician, The Royal Air Force - Liverpool

Weapon Technicians are responsible for all the weapons used by the RAF – from the bombs and missiles on our aircraft to the personal weapons carried by RAF personnel.

It’s a job with a great deal of responsibility – the equipment you handle can be extremely dangerous and safety is crucial.

Early on in your career, you could be arming aircraft with bombs, torpedoes and guided weapons, or loading rocket and gun installations. You’ll work with pyrotechnics and maintain, repair and replace gun pods, bomb carriers and rocket launchers.

Weapon Technicians also take care of and issue the weapons used by units and the men of the RAF Regiment, including rifles, pistols and machine guns, as well as heavier weapons such as mortars.

As a Weapon Technician, you’ll have other responsibilities too. You could maintain ejection seats, work on ground defence systems or even be trained as a bomb disposal expert.

Entry qualifications

Age limits

16–29

Physical requirements

If you are colour-blind or have a history of asthma or skin sensitivity, you will not be able to join the RAF as a Weapon Technician.

Academic qualifications

You need at least GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 or equivalent in English language, maths and an approved science/technology-based subject. If you do not hold these qualifications, there may still be opportunities for you if you show the appropriate potential in the selection tests.

Entry test

You must pass a test at the AFCO.

Nationality

You must have been a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland since birth.

Residency

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should normally have resided there for the three years immediately preceding your application.

Equal opportunities

The RAF values every individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social background.