Aerial and satellite engineers install and repair television aerials, radio aerials and satellite dishes, and connect them to receiving equipment in homes or commercial premises.

The Work

You could be:

• deciding on a suitable aerial or satellite dish and discussing the best position for it with the customer
• gaining access to a work position using ladders and roof ladders
• testing the strength of the broadcast signal with a signal meter
• securely fixing and accurately aligning aerials and dishes and running a connecting cable to the receiving system
• repairing the damage to aerials and dishes caused by bad weather
• adding new signal reception points in buildings
• working from detailed plans
• connecting or upgrading digital receiver equipment.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salaries for aerial and satellite engineers can range from £16,000 to £22,000 a year. With experience this can rise to £30,000 a year. You can earn extra through bonus and overtime payments.

Conditions

• You would have to spend a lot of time working on rooftops, requiring you to be competent in working safely at heights.
• You would work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• You will have to travel long distances.
• Hours of work may vary and could include evenings and weekends. You might complete up to 8 installations a day.
• You would have to wear and be competent in the use of personal protective equipment, such as harnesses and hard hats.

Getting In

• You may be able to enter directly as a trainee.
• You do not always need formal qualifications, but some employers prefer English, Maths and a science or technological subject at National 4 or 5.
• You may need to have a driving licence.
• You need good general health and fitness for this job.
• Certain colour vision conditions may affect entry to careers in this branch of engineering.
• As you will work in peoples' homes, you may require a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check to show you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
• If you are working on a building site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

Some aerial and satellite engineers may just deal with external aerials, whilst some will deal with the full range of digital home technology, such as satellite or cable TV receivers and broadband routers. Some work for specialist electronic installation firms.

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• an interest in, and understanding of, electronic equipment
• good practical skills for using power tools, wiring tools or test equipment
• a pleasant and helpful manner dealing with the public.

You need to be:

• agile, with a good head for heights
• safety conscious
• good at working with your hands
• careful and reliable
• able to work alone and also as part of a team.

Training

• You will normally train on the job through an employer’s training scheme.
• The Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) runs a full range of courses in digital home technology installation techniques.
• You need to keep up to date with changes in technology.

Getting On

• With experience, you may be promoted to a supervisory post.
• You may move into sales work.
• You might be able to move into management.
• You could set up your own business and become self-employed.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.