Avionics Systems Technician Jobs

Overview

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:

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

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

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.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program.

Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCM STEP students attend basic training and on-the-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.

AVS Techs attend Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) in Borden, Ontario where they complete Common Core which includes common mechanical and aircraft servicing training over 8 weeks. After some time at a Squadron they will return to CFSATE and take their Trade Training over 36 weeks and includes:

• Flight instruments
• Compass
• Electronic warfare systems
• Solid-state devices
• Air data computer
• Radar systems
• Inspection and repair of:
• Aircraft wiring
• Magnetron, Klystron, Travelling Wave Tubes and Microwave theory
• Aircraft data processing
• Automatic flight control
• Aircraft flight recorder and locator
• Communication systems
• Pitot static systems
• Avionics (AVS) and combined Avionic (AVS)/Aviation (AVN) multi-purpose display systems
• Digital logic
• Computer techniques and architecture
• Navigation systems

Avionics Systems Technicians

may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Corrosion Identification and Control
• Technical Writing
• Calibration technician
• Advance aircraft maintenance course
• Flight Safety Investigators Course
• Aircraft specific type courses
• Instructional Technique
• Aircraft Fluid Handling
• Life Cycle Materiel Management
• Technical Inspection and Quality Assurance
• Computerized fault diagnosis and analysis
• High reliability soldering
• Instructional techniques

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

• Technical administration
• Leadership and management courses

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force Wing in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Avionics Systems Technicians serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force. When employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis, they usually serve at Forces bases and tactical units at locations within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, Avionics Systems Technician candidates will proceed to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario to complete the Performance Orientated Electronics Training (POET), which is about 30 weeks in duration. On successful completion of the POET course, candidates will then proceed to the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering for their Common Core and Avionics Systems Technician course, which is about 47 weeks in duration. Potential Avionics Systems Technicians can expect to be under formal trade training for about 77 weeks.

Air Reserve members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts and are employed in the same unit and perform the same job. Air Reserve members usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day, with opportunities to serve full-time for short durations as needed. Reserve Force members are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

Related Careers

Electronic-Optronic Technician (Land)

Signing Bonus

Accelerated Pay Increment

Marine Technician

Signing Bonus

Accelerated Pay Increment

In Demand

Aviation Systems Technician

Signing Bonus

Accelerated Pay Increment

In Demand

Browse Careers

• Reserve Careers
• All Careers
• Navy Careers
• Air Force Careers
• Army Careers

Joining the Forces

• Can I Join
• Paid Education
• Applicant Portal
• Naval Experience Program
• Ways to Join
• Apply Now
• Steps to Join
• Basic Training
• Programs for Indigenous Peoples

Life In The Forces

• Pay & Benefits
• Success Stories
• Community

About Us

• Women in the CAF
• Values & Ethos
• Army
• Navy
• Air Force

Get in Touch

• Recruiting Events
• Find a Recruiting Centre
• Contact Us
• Help Centre

Terms and Conditions

• Français

Related Civilian Occupations

• Avionics Maintenance Technician
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Avionics