SOE and REME partnership to support professional registration for military engineers 

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is pleased to announce a new formal partnership with the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), to support REME personnel to achieve professional registration.

In July, SOE and REME signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) creating a clear and structured route for serving REME personnel to achieve Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration through SOE, an Engineering Council Licensed Member.

The REME delivers equipment support to the British Army across the full spectrum of mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems, and recognises that adherence to professional engineering standards is essential to ensuring reliability, maintainability, availability, and safety across Defence equipment fleets.

SOE Chief Executive Emma Thompson highlighted the importance of recognising the skills, experience and dedication of military engineers through professional registration.

“We are delighted to formalise this partnership with REME, creating a clear and accessible route for military engineers to gain the professional recognition they deserve,” she said.

“REME personnel develop exceptional technical expertise, leadership and operational experience throughout their careers, and this agreement ensures those skills are recognised against nationally recognised professional standards.

“SOE has a strong track record in supporting technicians and engineers, with a well-established EngTech pathway and several thousand professionally registered members across our sectors.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to widening access to professional registration and supporting engineers at every stage of their careers.”

The agreement was designed specifically to recognise the unique nature of military engineering careers, and the MoU acknowledges the value of the REME’s rigorous training, qualifications and operational experience.

All registration routes remain fully aligned with the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

The partnership will provide REME personnel with defined routes for registration, tailored guidance throughout the application process, access to continuing professional development (CPD), mentoring and professional support, helping engineers translate their military experience into nationally recognised professional status.

The agreement also ensures that professional review assessments reflect the specialist demands of military engineering, with at least one assessor possessing relevant REME engineering knowledge and experience.

Colonel Iain Wallace OBE ADC CEng highlighted that engineering professionalism is fundamental to the safe, reliable and effective delivery of equipment support across Defence.

He noted that the continued partnership with the SOE provides REME personnel with a clear and structured route to professional registration, reinforcing a shared commitment to engineering excellence, continuous professional development and public confidence in the profession.

By recognising the knowledge, skills and experience developed throughout military engineering careers, the agreement will enable REME personnel to gain the professional recognition they have earned, while further enhancing the engineering capability that underpins Army readiness and supports operations worldwide.

Mrs Thompson said SOE would also like to recognise and thank Dr John Voss MBE CEng FSOE FIRTE for his significant contribution in bringing this agreement together.

“As the lead liaison between SOE and REME, John played a key role in coordinating the process and developing the Memorandum of Understanding.

“His work has helped establish a framework that will support REME personnel for years to come.”

Through the agreement, SOE will administer membership and professional registration applications in accordance with Engineering Council requirements, providing REME personnel with a robust and transparent route to achieving professional recognition while maintaining the highest standards of engineering competence and public assurance.

By strengthening access to professional registration, the partnership aims to promote technical excellence, professionalism and lifelong learning, while supporting individuals as they develop their engineering careers both during and beyond military service.

To find out more about professional registration with the SOE click here.