Naval Electronic Sensor Operator

Naval Electronic Sensor Operators operate the radar and radio detection devices, radar jamming systems and decoys, and gun/missile-firing equipment carried on major naval warships. As members of the ship’s Combat Team, they detect, locate and identify friendly and enemy submarines, ships and aircraft, and they support the defence of their ship from all threats. The primary responsibilities of the Naval Electronic Sensor Operator are to:

• Locate and identify unknown radars
• Listen to communications from other submarines, ships, aircraft and shore bases
• Operate gun and missile-firing equipment used to defend the ship
• Conduct intelligence and evidence gathering

At sea, Naval Electronic Sensor Operators work mostly within the ship’s Operations Room where they operate some of the most modern and sophisticated warfare equipment at sea today.

As with all sea-going personnel, Naval Electronic Sensor Operators work with fellow shipmates in duties such as sentry or lookout, line handling for replenishment at sea, and ship handling for entering and leaving harbour. They participate in search and rescue events and person-overboard emergencies, serve as a member of the ship’s emergency response team for security watches, and routinely perform ship maintenance and repair.

During emergency procedures, they fight fires as members of a fire attack team and provide damage control in case of hull breaches. If necessary, Naval Electronic Sensor Operators may serve as a member of the naval boarding party to inspect the cargo of suspect vessels and detain the vessel’s crew during inspections.

If you join the Regular Force, after completing required training you will be assigned to your first base. Some relocations may be required. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will enter through a Reserve unit and work part time outside of training; your reserve unit will be your workplace, typically with one night per week and some weekends as a minimum, and possibilities of full-time employment.

• Direct Entry Options

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum education requirement is completion of Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the core skills and knowledge common to all trades and ensures recruits meet the CAF physical fitness standard; the course is physically demanding.

Following Environmental Training, Naval Electronic Sensor Operators attend Naval Fleet School Pacific (Esquimalt, BC) or Naval Fleet School Atlantic (Halifax, NS) for approximately 20 weeks. Training includes:

• Procedures for maintaining classified material
• Procedures for conducting intelligence and evidence gathering
• Basic radar and radio theory
• Electronic warfare equipment operation and checks
• Electronic emission classification
• Internal and external radio communications procedures

Naval Electronic Sensor Operators may be offered opportunities to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Ship’s team diver
• Ship’s team diving supervisor
• Instructional techniques
• Naval boarding party

As they progress, Naval Electronic Sensor Operators who demonstrate ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• NATO maritime advanced electronic warfare course
• Operational signal intelligence analysis
• Technical electronic intelligence/radar analysis
• Intermediate technical electronic intelligence/radar analysis
• Advanced electronic intelligence collection analysis
• Intermediate and advanced database courses

Naval recruits attend the Naval Fleet School in Esquimalt, BC or Halifax, NS, for approximately five weeks. Training topics include:

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

• Marine Electronic Detection Operator

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Management and Manufacturing