Beamter/Beamtin in der Wehrverwaltung des Bundes (gehobener technischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: The Bundeswehr Education Centre (classrooms); in the case of completing an engineering bachelor's degree (Studium) with integrated career training, higher education institutions (lecture halls, seminar and exercise rooms, libraries); the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, military technical and military scientific departments, Marine Arsenal (offices and (depending on the specialist area) test laboratories, workshops, test stands).

Amendments to the Bundeslaufbahnverordnung (Federal Career Ordinance) came into force on March 17, 2026. They open up demand-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equalisation of vocational and academic education. In the higher technical administrative service and in the higher scientific service, for example, access is now also possible for persons with vocational advanced training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional.

Occupation type: Civil servant training (Beamtenausbildung). Type of training: Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), regulated by federal ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 1 year or 3.5 years (depending on previous education). Minimum requirement for admission to preparatory service: Higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). Learning locations: Bundeswehr Education Centre, Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, military technical and military scientific departments, Marine Arsenal, possibly higher education institutions. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher technical service in military technology primarily perform tasks in the areas of management, measurement technology, and quality assurance, e.g., in motor vehicle and equipment systems or in information technology and electronics. They participate in all steps of the development and testing of military technical equipment: e.g., defining technical requirements, evaluating prototypes, concluding procurement contracts, monitoring quality assurance, accepting and delivering equipment.

1 year (with a bachelor's degree (Bachelorabschluss) for access). Note: An engineering bachelor's degree (Studium) at the Bundeswehr with integrated career training lasts approximately 3.5 years.

The selection process consists of a written and an oral part. It includes, for example, a performance test, a presentation, a group discussion, and a semi-structured interview.

Structure of the preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) in the higher technical service in military technology: Course on tasks and organization of the Bundeswehr and status issues; presentation of deployment possibilities in the military technical deployment area of the higher technical administrative service; general military technology course; course on economic efficiency in project management; technical project management course; technical course on individual military technical specialist areas; course on legal foundations in practice. Practical training in the departments of the business area of the Federal Ministry of Defence, especially the organizational areas 'Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support', 'Cyber and Information Space', and 'Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services'. Practical work and career examination: 4 weeks. Total training duration: 1 year.

Course fees are not charged. However, travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also occur. Compensation for travel expenses and maintaining a second household are generally possible. Note: If the Ausbildung (vocational training) to become a civil servant (Beamter/Beamtin) in the higher technical service (gehobener technischer Dienst) in military technology takes place within the framework of an engineering Bachelor's degree (Bachelorstudium) with integrated career training, the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) covers the costs of the Bachelor's degree.

Theoretical training, for example, in the following areas: Duties and organization of the Bundeswehr and status issues. Presentation of deployment possibilities in the military technology application area of the higher technical administrative service (various armaments agencies - introduction to organization, tasks, and equipment). General military technology, including duties and organization of the Bundeswehr, security policy. Economic efficiency in project management, including macroeconomic and business administration contexts, budgetary, procurement, and pricing legal aspects. Technical project management, e.g., demand determination, demand coverage, and utilization procedures in the Bundeswehr. Specialized technology of individual military technical fields. Legal foundations in practice. Practical training enables the application of knowledge acquired during Studium (university studies) and theoretical training. It also serves to acquire knowledge in administrative and budgetary matters, as well as in procurement and contract law.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical training phases: Lectures: Attend courses at the Bundeswehr Education Center (or additionally attend lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the university (Hochschule) if completing an engineering Bachelor's degree (Bachelorstudium) with integrated career training). Practical exercises: participate in exercises in working groups (partially self-organized). Independent work: e.g., prepare and review lectures, research in libraries, prepare performance assessments. Organization: e.g., adhere to specified submission deadlines for presentations and homework. During the practical training phases: Practical collaboration (under guidance): e.g., participate in the development of military technical equipment in the respective specialized field. Key qualifications: e.g., expand problem-solving, organizational, and communication competencies.

Monthly gross basic salary for candidates: €1,744. Source: Bundesbesoldungsgesetz (BBesG) (Federal Salary Act). Note: In addition to the basic candidate salary, candidate emoluments include capital-forming benefits, possibly also family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas are good prerequisites for a successful preparatory service: Technology: e.g., for the area of military technical specifics in vehicles, systems, and equipment, as well as for handling military technical equipment in daily professional life. Management/Organization: e.g., to achieve good results in the project management teaching area and to efficiently solve problems in project leadership in professional life. English/French: e.g., for the area of equipment, information technology, and utilization, as well as in international armaments cooperation institutions.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant (Beamter/Beamtin) in the higher technical service (gehobener technischer Dienst) in military technology: Area of Law and Administration: Civil servant in the industrial supervisory administration (higher technical service), Civil servant in the higher civil engineering service, Civil servant in the railway sector (higher technical service), Civil servant in the water and shipping administration (higher technical service), Civil servant in the weights and measures administration (higher technical service), Civil servant in the fire service technical service (higher service). Commonality: Performing auditing and controlling tasks. Area of Protection and Security: Civil servant for the higher technical service of federal signals intelligence and electronic reconnaissance. Commonality: Performing technical inspection and monitoring tasks at the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). Area of Mechanical and Plant Engineering: Vehicle Technology (undergraduate), Vehicle Technology (postgraduate), Mechanical Engineering (undergraduate), Mechanical Engineering (postgraduate), Aerospace Technology.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher technical service in defense technology is conducted as a Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service) and lasts 1 year. It is regulated by federal ordinances and concludes with the Laufbahnprüfung (career examination). A Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) is usually required. Note: The career qualification for the higher technical service in the Bundeswehr administration - defense technology area of application - can also be acquired during an engineering Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) at the Bundeswehr. The career training is then completed in parallel with the Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree).

Career title: Beamter/Beamtin (civil servant) - Wehrverwaltung (defense administration) (higher technical service). Note: After a successfully completed Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) with integrated career training, in addition to the career qualification, the academic degree Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is also awarded. Note: The competent authority determines whether the career is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Beamter (civil servants) and Beamtin (female civil servants) in the higher technical service in defense technology primarily work at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, as well as at defense technology and defense science service centers or the Marinearsenal. Through Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive continuing education), one can keep their specialized knowledge current or bring it up to date. The range of topics extends from information and communication technology to administrative law. With appropriate aptitude, Beamter (civil servants) and Beamtin (female civil servants) in the higher technical service in defense technology have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful Aufstiegsverfahren (promotion procedure). Further Studium (studies) can also be considered. For example, it is logical to acquire a Master's degree in mechanical engineering.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) is offered in the following specialized fields: Motor Vehicles and Equipment, Aerospace, Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, Information Technology and Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Electrical Power Systems, System Armament and Effectors. Note: Alternatively, it is possible to acquire the career qualification for the higher technical service in the Bundeswehr administration - defense technology area of application - during an engineering Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) at the Bundeswehr. The career training is then completed in parallel with the Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree).

Ordinance on the preparatory service for the higher technical administrative service in the Bundeswehr administration in the area of defense technology (GtDBwVWehrtechnikVDV) of 02.10.2009 (BGBl. I S. 3240), last amended by Article 2 Section 12 of the ordinance of 11.03.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 67).

A successfully completed Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) or an equivalent recognized university degree in a course of study that can be assigned to a defense technology field is generally required. Note: Those who demonstrate the admission qualifications for a university cooperating with the recruiting authority and have completed a corresponding preliminary internship can be admitted to an engineering Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) with integrated career training. In addition, the following requirements are demanded for admission to the Ausbildung (vocational training): German citizenship according to Art. 116 of the Basic Law, unrestricted willingness to be transferred, willingness to participate in Bundeswehr foreign deployments if necessary, maximum age: generally 49 years.