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Do you love fixing things? Are you passionate about electronics from the inside out? A career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as an Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician lets you perform, supervise and direct the repair and maintenance of all Air Force & Joint Telecommunications and Information Systems.

Overview
As technical experts, Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance, system restoration, special inspections, modifications, installations and acceptance checks, as well as the repair and overhaul of all types of telecommunications, navigation and cryptographic systems. They also manage and maintain mobile and fixed satellite communications systems, microwave systems, switchboards, cable plants, and all forms of command and control computer systems and networks. Their primary responsibilities are:

• Performing preventive and corrective maintenance on all types of radio, radar and data processing, cryptographic, terminal, audio and video equipment
• Performing inspections, performance tests and adjustments on strategic and tactical fixed and mobile telecommunications equipment
• Performing repairs, overhaul and support maintenance on telecommunications equipment
• Performing installations and acceptance tests
• Liaising with all levels of command and functional groups, including base-level personnel
• Maintaining and/or advising other occupations on the maintenance of the electromechanical and refrigeration requirements of telecommunications equipment
• Deploying as part of the Air Force Support Capability, 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron, a Tactical Control Radar squadron, the Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment or all CANSOFCOM Units
• Managing the life-cycle of materials related to various telecommunications and information systems

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the paid education programs you may be 16 years old (with parental consent)
  • For the Primary Reserve you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec (some jobs need higher levels of education)

Work Environment

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform their duties in operation centres, static and mobile workshops or outdoors. They may work at bases within Canada and the United States, including the Arctic, as well as locations throughout the world.

Basic Military Qualification

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, Québec, or through various training establishments across Canada from Esquimalt, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One main goal of this course is to ensure all recruits maintain the CAF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians Training

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario, to complete the Performance Oriented Electronics Training course, which includes the following topics:

• Circuits Theory
• Electro-Mechanical and Solid-State Devices
• Power Sources
• Amplifier, Oscillator and Digital Circuits
• Multistage Electronic Circuits
• Conductors and Cables
• AM/FM Theory
• Audio/Video Equipment
• Computers and Peripherals

They continue with 20 weeks of training specific to their duties, which includes:

• Technical Administration
• Automated Information Systems
• Switchboards and Terminal Equipment
• Cable Distribution Systems
• Data Communication Systems
• Audio and Video Systems
• Airfield Navigational Aids and Meteorological Systems
• Communications and Cryptosystems
• Radar Systems

Available Specialty Training

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training for topics like:

• Airport Secondary/Surveillance Radar
• Communications Control Systems
• Precision Approach Landing Aids
• E3A AWACS Airborne Equipment
• Microwave Radio Systems and Associated Equipment
• Instructional Techniques
• Communications/Information Security
• Meteorological Systems
• Cryptographic Equipment Maintenance

Available Advanced Training

As they progress in their career, Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Fibre Optics Communications Systems
• Design Building Network for Communication Systems
• Computer System Management
• Advanced Radar Maintenance
• Advanced Communications Operations
• Management and Leadership Training
• Deployed Communications Systems

Required Education

Direct Entry Officer Plan

Ideal candidates will already have a diploma. If you have a university or college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into any on-the-job training program that is required, following Basic Training. Basic Training is required before being assigned.

Please note that, if successful in the application process, you will be entering service in either the Regular Force (full-time employment) or Primary Reserve Force (part-time employment) of the Canadian Armed Forces as a military member.

• 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.

• Primary Reserve Force: You will be joining the Primary Reserve Force 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 with possibilities of full-time employment.

To learn more about the various ways to join the Canadian Armed Forces, visit: en/how-to-join/#wj

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming an Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call .

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.