The defence industry is one of the strongest, reliable, and most innovative industries in the world.
It’s a sector that sees sustained growth year on year across a wide range of specialisms - and with roles in land, marine, and aviation, there are employment opportunities available for everyone, no matter your skill set.
In fact, now is the perfect time to consider a career in defence, so it’s no surprise that many mechanics are turning to work in the industry. Read on to find out more about the appeal of defence contract jobs for mechanical engineers…
5 reasons mechanics are working in the defence sector
1. There are excellent rates of pay
Without a doubt, one of the biggest reasons that mechanics are turning to the defence sector are the financial rewards - and this is especially true when it comes to defence contract roles.
Skilled mechanics with the right aviation or HGV qualifications and experience are extremely desirable in the defence industry. In fact, there’s a huge demand for skilled workers all over Europe - which is reflected in the high rates of pay.
What’s more, many mechanics also choose to undertake contract roles in Europe where the cost of living is lower - which means salaries go much further too!
2. You can work on exciting equipment
Defence technology is pretty much at the cutting edge of human capabilities. As such, mechanics in the industry have the chance to work on some of the most exciting and diverse equipment in the world.
If you’re an aviation mechanic, for example, you could find yourself working on Apache helicopters, Chinooks, or even Black Hawks. On the other hand, HGV mechanics could get the chance to work on tracked and wheeled military vehicles such as M1 tanks, Abrams tanks, or Challengers.
What’s more, because equipment is constantly being developed and improved, you’ll be constantly learning new things. With so much variety on offer, it’s no wonder mechanics are turning to the defence sector!
3. The career progression is unrivalled
This leads us on to our next point - career progression. The career progression in the defence sector is unrivalled, and there’s plenty of on-the-job training too. Plus, working at the forefront of technology means you can develop your skills and climb the career ladder fast.
This is especially true in defence contract jobs where roles are usually offered for a fixed period. With the option to change jobs at the end of each contract, you can strategically climb the career ladder and get to where you want to be.
Some jobs even include an automatic promotion on completion of a six-month contract - so, for motivated and ambitious mechanics, the defence industry is the perfect sector to work in.
4. It’s a growing sector
From coronavirus to Brexit, the last few years have been pretty uncertain and unstable. But despite everything going on in the world, the defence sector remains constant. After all, countries always need new defence technologies, and existing equipment always needs upkeep.
In fact, the defence sector continues to expand each year. With budgets continuing to rise, it was announced in 2020 that the defence budget in the UK would increase by a whopping £16.5 billion over four years.
This makes the annual budget £6.2 billion higher in cash terms in 2024/25 compared to 2022/21 - so it’s no wonder the defence industry is so appealing!
5. You can live and work abroad
Another benefit of working in the defence sector that is seeing mechanics turn to the industry is the opportunity to live and work abroad.
In fact, if you find yourself longing to see more of the world, contract jobs give you a unique opportunity to visit different countries, explore different cultures and meet new people - whilst expanding your CV at the same time!
At M&E Global, for example, we offer a range of exciting defence contract roles all over the world, from Europe to the Middle East, which means that our candidates can experience living and working in different environments all over the world.
Defence contract jobs for mechanical engineers with M&E Global
If you’re a mechanic looking for new opportunities, our team at M&E Global are here to help. As expert defence recruiters, we work on a variety of defence contract positions all over the world, plus, thanks to our holistic approach to recruitment, we will provide bespoke support every step of the way.
So, whether you are considering a defence contract role overseas for the first time or you are an experienced mechanic with years of contracting experience under your belt, we can help you find your dream role.
What are you waiting for? If you want to find out more about defence contract jobs for mechanical engineers, why not contact us or give one of our friendly team members a call today to find out more on 01384 221133.
