Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, Naval Combat Systems Engineers maintain combat systems in ships and submarines. They are responsible for the leadership and wellbeing of a large team of highly trained technical professionals who perform systems analysis, fault‑finding, and maintenance of equipment to ensure peak performance.

• Above water and underwater warfare systems and their ammunition
• Above water and underwater sensor systems
• Navigation systems
• Communication systems
• Command and control systems
• Data processing systems
• Electronic warfare systems

Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officers are employed on ships and submarines of the Naval Fleet and at shore‑based establishments. They serve as the Head of the Combat Systems Engineering Department, leading a large team while navigating the challenges of life  shore‑based establishments, officers work across Canada—primarily in Halifax, Victoria, and the National Capital Region—and abroad, in staff, training, and administrative positions that require engineering expertise.

Regular Force officers may be assigned to a base after completing required training, with possible relocations. Primary Reserve officers work part time, typically one night per week and some weekends, and may remain with the same unit without relocating.

Candidates with a university degree may be placed into on‑the‑job training after basic training and officer qualification training. The CAF may pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor’s degree in the Royal Military College System, with full salary and benefits for a period of service. Candidates may also be approved to attend another Canadian university based on CAF needs.

After enrolment, officers undergo 12 weeks of basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, covering military knowledge, leadership principles, CAF regulations, weapons handling, first aid, and fitness. Second‑language training may follow for two to nine months. Subsequent courses include Naval Engineering Indoctrination (11 weeks) and Naval Combat Systems Engineering Applications (28 weeks), providing detailed instruction in operating, maintaining, and managing naval combat systems.

Officers then serve on a ship for one year to consolidate skills. Further specialized training is available in areas such as computer software management, guided weapons systems, radar analysis, electronic warfare, digital and satellite communications, cyber security, combat systems engineering, weapon system engineering, underwater acoustics, and naval architecture. All officer candidates attend a nine‑week Naval Environmental Training Program at the Naval Officer Training Centre, introducing the naval workplace and including four weeks on board a minor war vessel.