Opportunity

Are you searching for a truly unique engineering challenge? Weapons Engineering Technicians for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) get to put their skills to the test with high-tech equipment like satellite dishes, radar systems and Naval armaments.

Overview

Weapons Engineering Technicians are responsible for the corrective and planned maintenance activities onboard a ship for weapons, communications, radar and marine navigation systems. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Monitoring and evaluating electronic equipment
• Operating diagnostic systems, specialized tools and test equipment
• Performing diagnostic analysis on components and systems
• Repairing faulty electronic equipment
• Inspecting, maintaining and installing electronic components
• Compiling logs, reports and maintenance documentation
• Reading and interpreting electronic drawings

To be eligible for a position with the Canadian Armed Forces, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the Paid Education programs—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent);
  • For the Primary Reserves—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student;
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Québec (some jobs need higher levels of education).

Paid Education Options

Non-commissioned Member (NCM) Subsidized Training and Education Program (STEP)

Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCM STEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full-time salaries, including medical and dental care, along with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the CAF and the appropriate college.

Work Environment

Weapons Engineering Technicians spend much of their career on board ships with “home ports” in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. They experience exciting adventures and unique challenges that come with working at sea, such as performing tasks in small, dimly lit spaces or on open decks for repairs and maintenance.

Technicians usually work the regular day shift on board the ship they are assigned to. In addition to their usual duties, they may perform out-of-occupation duties such as cleaning, painting, working in the cafeteria and loading supplies.

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, or through various training establishments across Canada from Esquimalt, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One main goal of this course is to ensure all recruits maintain the CAF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Naval Environmental Training
Naval recruits attend Naval Fleet School Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia, or Naval Fleet School Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for approximately five weeks. Training includes the following topics:

• Perform General Duties in the Naval Environment
• Perform as a Member of the Force Protection Team
• Perform as a Member of the Damage Control Organization
• Carry Out Survival Drills

Weapons Engineering Technician Training

Weapons Engineering Technicians will attend academic training at Naval Fleet School Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before proceeding with application training. Application training can be completed either in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia.

Both the academic and applications training will take approximately nine months to complete and includes the following:

• Academic Upgrading (Primarily Math and Physics)
• Electrical and Electronics Theory
• Communications Theory and Applications
• Radar Theory and Applications
• Sonar Theory and Applications
• Shipboard Weapons System Theory
• Ammunition Handling and Safety
• Hand Tools, Electrical Meters and Diagnostic Equipment

Available Specialty Training

Weapons Engineering Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training for topics like:

• Side Scan Sonar Operation
• Video Conferencing Terminal Maintainer
• High-Reliability Soldering
• Explosives Safety Inspection
• Fibre Optics

Required Education

The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Québec, including:

• Grade 10 Applied Math (Mathématiques 426 or TS 4)
• A Physics course at any level is an asset but not required
• Foreign education may be accepted

Direct Entry Plan

Ideal candidates will already have a diploma or Red Seal for a related civilian trade. If you already have a university or college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may optimize your progression following basic training. Basic training is required before being assigned.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Weapons Engineering Technician, visit talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

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