Electronic-Optronic Technician

Overview
As a member of the military, Electronic-Optronic Technicians maintain, repair and modify fire control systems to ensure the accurate delivery of ammunition to the intended target.

Overview
As a member of the military, Electronic-Optronic Technicians maintain, repair and modify fire control systems to ensure the accurate delivery of ammunition to the intended target. Electronic-Optronic Technicians belong to the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The primary responsibilities of the Electronic-Optronic Technician is to:

Inspect, test, identify faults in, adjust, repair, recondition and modify electrical, electromechanical, electronic, electro-optic and mechanical equipment, optical instruments, and control systems for weapons and missiles

Repair surveillance and thermal observation systems

Maintain vehicle satellite navigation systems

Maintain fibre-optic systems

Repair laser systems

Maintain optical, electrical and electronic test equipment

Repair portable and trailer-mounted power-generating systems

Operate and maintain general-purpose and specialized tools and equipment

Drive military-pattern vehicles

Work environment
Electronic-Optronic Technicians typically work at a base or station in Canada in a workshop. During field training and on operations in the field, they generally work in temporary or improvised workshops or outdoors. Electronic-Optronic Technicians are dedicated to the Army, but they may support Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy operations. If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base.

While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career.

Entry plans

Direct Entry Options

Paid Education Options

The minimum required education for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec, including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416/CST 4 in Quebec, and any science course at the Grade 10 level or Secondary 4 level in Quebec. The ideal candidate will 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 any required on‑job training program following basic training.

Foreign education may be accepted. Non‑Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP).

Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on‑job training during the summer months. They receive a 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.

Electronic‑Optronic Technicians will attend the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers School in Borden, Ontario, for training specific to the roles and responsibilities of the Electronic‑Optronic Technician. The training takes about 33 weeks but…