Weapons Engineering Technician

Jobinhalt

Overview

Weapons Engineering Technicians are responsible for the corrective and planned maintenance activities of the weapons systems onboard a ship.

The primary responsibilities of Weapons Engineering Technicians are to:

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of electronic equipment
• Operate electronic diagnosis systems, specialized tools and test equipment
• Perform diagnostic analysis on components and systems to identify faults
• Repair faulty electronic equipment to restore system function
• Inspect, maintain, and install, electronic components
• Compile test logs, evaluation reports, equipment maintenance documentation and read and interpret electronic drawings

Work environment

Weapons Engineering Technicians spend much of their career on board ships with “home ports” in either Halifax, Nova Scotia or Esquimalt, British Columbia. They experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with work at sea, such as working in small spaces, on open deck surfaces repairing and maintaining equipment and a rotating shift or watch system.

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

Entry plans

• Required Education
• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options
  

The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec, including minimum Grade 10 Applied Math (Math 426 in Quebec). It is an asset to have a Physics course at any level. Foreign education may be accepted.

If you already have a college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military occupation training is required before being assigned to your first ship.

Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program

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 salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time 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.

Training

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, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Weapons Engineering Technicians will attend academic training at Naval Fleet School Atlantic in Halifax Nova Scotia prior to proceeding on applications training. Applications training can be completed either in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Esquimalt, British Columbia. Both the academic and applications training will take approximately 9 months to complete, it includes:

• Academic upgrading (primarily mathematics and physics)
• Electrical and Electronics theory
• Communications theory and applications
• Radar theory and applications
• Sonar theory and applications
• Shipboard weapons systems theory
• Ammunition handling and safety
• Use of hand tools, electrical meters and diagnostic equipment
  

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

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

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

• Naval history and organization
• Shipboard firefighting and damage control
• Shipboard safety
• Watchkeeping duties
• Seamanship
  

Related Civilian Occupations

• Electronics Repair Apprentice
• Electronics Repair Journeyman
• Electrical and Electronics Engineer
• Marine Weapons Engineering Technician
• Appliance Service and Repair