Roger's Story | Serco Careers

Avionics engineer Roger – or ‘Speedy’ as he’s known to his team – has spent his career working on aircraft that fly thousands of feet above ground, carrying people whose lives depend on the precision and safety of every component. Today, he’s an Avionics Supervisor at RNAS (Royal Navy Air Station) Culdrose, Cornwall, and part of our team supporting the Royal Navy.

“I started out in the Navy in 1975 and spent 19 years there as a Fleet Air Arm Electrician,” Roger explains. “After leaving, I worked as a civilian electrician and contractor before joining Serco. I’ve been here ever since.”

Roger’s day-to-day work is all about ensuring aircraft are safe and ready to fly. “I’m one of three electricians. There’s a fitter, a supervisor – which is my role – and a senior supervisor. My job is to oversee all the electrical and avionics work. If it’s something critical like flight control or fuel systems, it gets double-checked by a senior supervisor too.”

The team works across a wide range of tasks, depending on what the Royal Navy needs. “We work directly for the Navy, which means we cover everything the Merlin helicopter can do –gearbox changes, engine changes, even sheet metal repairs. The scope is really broad.”

For Roger, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s personal. “These aircraft can fly 10,000 feet, they have people on board, and they’ve got families. The thought of me making a mistake and not doing my part to keep them safe – that would be not only a disaster for them, but I would never be able to forgive myself.”

That mindset is shared across the team. “You have to be adaptable, interested in your job, and 100% focused on safety. Everyone here has a similar mindset – which means we work well together.”

The work is highly regulated, with strict processes to follow. “We follow strict processes, through a manual that’s provided. Every job is pre-defined, and you follow it word for word. There’s no room for shortcuts when safety is on the line.”

Even with such structure, there’s room for growth. Roger started in workshops, moved into Merlin training, and eventually became a supervisor. “It’s not a walk in the park – you have to earn your certificate of competency and prove yourself. But it’s worth it.”

Supporting the Royal Navy means every task has real-world impact. “We help get aircraft ready for deployment, including those going on carriers like the HMS Prince of Wales. When they come back, we’re the ones checking and servicing them. It’s busy, but it’s interesting work.”

For Roger, the job is more than just engineering. It’s about purpose, pride, and protecting lives. “I enjoy coming to work and using my experience to do something meaningful. The team spirit, the shared experience – it makes it all worthwhile.”

People Story

"You have to be adaptable, interested in your job, and 100% focused on safety. Everyone here has a similar mindset – which means we work well together."

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