Avionics Systems Technician

Canadian Armed Forces; Trenton; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Canadian Armed Forces are seeking Avionics Systems Technicians responsible for maintaining electronic systems on military aircraft. This role involves extensive testing, maintenance, and teamwork in a dynamic environment, offering both full-time and part-time opportunities. Candidates should expect shifts and possibly relocating during their career.

Qualifications

• Must complete provincial Grade 10 requirements.
• College diploma or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and test aircraft electronic systems.
• Conduct performance tests and preventive maintenance.
• Serve as an instructor in technical training units.

Skills

Electronic systems maintenance

Performance testing

Calibration of systems

Education

Completion of provincial requirements for Grade 10

College diploma or Red Seal for a related civilian occupation

Job description

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time, Part Time

In Demand

As a member of the military, Avionics Systems Technicians are responsible for maintaining all electronic systems onboard Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aircraft.

As a member of the military, Avionics Systems Technicians are responsible for maintaining all electronic systems onboard Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aircraft. As part of the aircraft maintenance team, the Avionics Systems Technician is responsible for first line servicing operations in launching and recovering all types of aircraft.

The primary responsibilities of Avionics Systems Technicians are to:

• Carry out performance tests, preventive/ corrective maintenance, and calibration of the following systems and their associated components:
  • Aircraft communication
  • Intercom
  • Search radar
  • Fire control radar
  • Acoustic sensing
  • Infra-red radar
  • Electronic warfare
  • Navigation
  • Compass
  • Flight control systems
  • Automatic flight control systems
  • Electrical wiring interconnection system
• Set up and operate test equipment to maintain the above systems
• Operate and maintain computer-controlled automatic test stations
• Serve as an instructor in field technical training units, training squadrons or basic training units
• Prepare and maintain aircraft forms and statistical data
• Perform first line servicing tasks such as marshalling, parking, towing, starting, refueling, cleaning and de-icing

Work environment

Avionics Systems Technicians are employed primarily at air bases in aircraft maintenance organizations, in maintenance hangers, in airborne aircraft, lab environments and on the flight line. In the course of their career, Avionics Systems Technicians will be required to work shifts and periods of overtime. In geographic terms, employment can vary from CAF bases and wings within Canada, including the Arctic, to overseas locations throughout the world in response to NATO and UN commitments.

If you chose a career in theRegular 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. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: I'm Samantha Schaus from Trenton, Ontario, an Avionics Systems Technician here at 424 Search and Rescue Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.

In the Royal Canadian Air Force, if it flies, you can be sure it’s loaded with a complex array of state-of-the-art avionics. That’s the communications, computer, radar, electrical, and guidance systems that are the nerve centre of every jet fighter, long-range patrol aircraft or transport, and life-saving helicopter.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: Avionics Systems Technicians are the electricians of the aircraft. Essentially anything electronic, we are in charge of.

Avionics Systems Technicians, or AVS Techs, are the technical experts who install, test and maintain everything from search radar to navigational transponders; from flight control to fire control, even the famous “black box” flight recorders on every Canadian military aircraft.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: Not only do I do the electrical maintenance on the aircraft, but I also do servicing. So that would include liquid oxygen on the aircraft for when we're flying, fuelling the aircraft. You'd also have to make sure that the plane is serviceable just by doing a general visual inspection to ensure that it is safe to fly.

The first time I walked into the C-130 Hercules cockpit, I was overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed by how many buttons, lights, switches, doodads, what have you inside the cockpit.

And the first time you go in, you're not going to know, and then the more and more you go through, you'll get to know that, oh yeah, this button turns on the heater. This one turns on the engine. This one will turn the spoolie. It can be overwhelming for sure, but it's great.

AVS Techs are posted to every RCAF squadron in Canada. But you’ll also find AVS Techs aboard Royal Canadian Navy ships, supporting maritime helicopters. And they go with the Army wherever they're deployed and need tactical helicopter support.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: As an Avionics Systems Technician, you're not assigned to just one aircraft. You could actually broaden your horizons on other aircraft platforms. So in my career, I could end up working on the F-18. I could end up working on the Snowbirds. I could end up working on the Chinook. The possibilities are endless.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: As an Avionics Systems Technician, sometimes we have to go on the road as either a servicing tech or for our trade. I actually had a great opportunity last month to go to Comox for a week. We were there to train some pilots that do a lot of mountain flying. It is super cool to fly through the mountains with this large aircraft. Actually, it's quite maneuverable and it's even cooler when you have the loadmasters allow you to walk out on the back of the platform and look out at the mountains.

On completion of their military and occupation training, Avionics Systems Technicians get posted to an RCAF Wing in Canada where they’ll join the Avionics team for a period of on-the-job training followed by aircraft-specific training.

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: When you first get posted, one of the greater things that happens is you will be assigned a mentor or a sponsor. A lot of the time they will show you around: this is what your job is; this is what the expectations are; and it's OK to ask questions. Technicians here are very welcoming and are very knowledgeable. And a lot of times you can take that knowledge and they're more than happy to share it with you.

Technicians can be assigned to first-line units that handle repairs and maintenance that can be completed with the equipment still installed on the aircraft. They can also be assigned to second-line units that handle more complicated repairs in a shop environment. And there are postings available at other specialized units like ATESS, the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron, a one-stop shop capable of taking new projects from the idea stage through the drawing, prototyping, testing and production phases .

CORPORAL SAMANTHA SCHAUS: What I really enjoy about this career is the camaraderie, the teamwork, and I really, really thrive on a challenge. My previous job in an office was eight hours a day, 40 hours a week, sitting and clicking at a computer. I wanted a challenge and I wanted something that was not in my comfort zone, not within my wheelhouse.

I am very happy that I joined the military as an Avionics Systems Technician, and I almost wish I would have done it sooner

Related Civilian Occupations

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Avionics

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec including Gr 10 Applied Math or Math 416 / CST 4.

The ideal candidate will already have a college diploma or Red Seal for a related civilian occupation, the CAF will assess your training and experience and optimize your progression following basic training.