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Boeing Defence Australia has launched a major recruitment campaign to support the arrival of the Australian Army’s new fleet of AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, with 36 new maintenance trainee and apprentice roles up for grabs.
The recruitment push comes as preparations ramp up for the basing of the advanced attack helicopters at RAAF Base Townsville later this year. The move marks a significant step forward in modernising the Australian Army’s aviation capabilities, with the Apache set to replace the outgoing Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter fleet.
Boeing Defence Australia, the local arm of the US aerospace and defence giant, is seeking aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers for positions that will directly support the Army’s vertical lift operations.
The available roles include 12 traineeships for a Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance, along with 12 apprenticeships each in both the mechanical and avionics streams of the diploma of aeroskills.
In a significant boost to local jobseekers, no prior aviation or defence experience is required to apply, all successful candidates will receive specialist training from January 2026 through Aviation Australia, a nationally recognised aviation training provider headquartered in Brisbane.
“It’s not every day that Townsville jobseekers get the opportunity to work on one of the world’s most advanced military helicopters,” said Boeing Defence Australia managing director Amy List.
Boeing Defence Australia plays a central role in supporting the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, including the CH-47F Chinook helicopters also based in Townsville, as well as the F/A-18F Super Hornet and C-17A Globemaster III fleets in south-east Queensland.
The AH-64E Apache is widely regarded as one of the most capable attack helicopters in the world, with advanced sensors, weapons systems and survivability features designed for high-end combat operations. Australia is acquiring 29 of the helicopters under a multibillion dollar deal with the United States announced in 2021.
List added, “We encourage anyone seeking an exciting, long-term career at the cutting edge of aerospace to apply. Working on Apaches could be just the beginning of your Boeing journey.”
The arrival of the Apaches marks a generational leap in Army Aviation’s combat capabilities and is expected to bring long-term employment and training opportunities to north Queensland, as well as enhance the strategic posture of the ADF in the nation’s north.
Applications for the new roles are now open and further information is available here.
