Signal Technician

Opportunity

Are you a tech enthusiast who also loves the outdoors? As a Signal Technician, you’ll specialize in managing communications systems for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in various environments in Canada and around the world.

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required.

Overview

Signal Technicians are experts in telecommunication technologies. They maintain, repair, configure, administer and modify leading-edge communication systems. They are part of a larger team that provides the CAF with communications and information services throughout Canada and around the world.

Signal Technicians operate on specialized electronic test equipment. They perform corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance, diagnosis, modifications, installations, configurations, inspections and administration for:

• Wired and Wireless Communications Systems
• Radio, Satellite and Microwave Broadband Technology
• Radar Location and Detection Technology
• Fibre Optic and Copper Wire Broadband Technology
• Voice and Data Network Defence, Configuration and Administration

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

Signal Technicians experience the unique adventures and challenges of working outdoors, in military vehicles and at maintenance workshops. Signal Technicians work across the country and around the world wherever the CAF has a footprint.

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.

After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a military training centre for the Basic Military Qualification – Land Course for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:

• Army Physical Fitness
• Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
• Reconnaissance Patrolling
• Individual Field Craft

Signal Technician Training

Signal Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Communication and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario. Training takes approximately 16 months and is separated into two parts.

Part one is equivalent to a two-year electronics engineering technician program and teaches the following skills and knowledge:

• Electrical and Electronic Theory
• Digital Electronic Theory
• Signal Processing Devices and Operation
• Power Supplies Theory
• Radio and Antenna Systems Theory
• Satellite and Microwave Systems Theory
• Use of Basic and Advanced Test Instrumentation

Part two of the program includes specific training on communications systems and equipment, including the following skills and knowledge:

• Radio Communications and Information Security
• Installation and Operation of Communications and Information Systems
• Maintenance and Operation of Power Generating Systems
• Communication Systems and Equipment Maintenance and Repair Techniques
• Installation and Maintenance of Fibre Optic and Copper Wire Systems
• Basic Routing and Switching Concepts
• Use of Advanced Radio Equipment Testing Instrumentation

Available Specialty Training

Signal Technicians may have the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal military and civilian courses and on-the-job training in the following areas:

• Cryptographic Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• Electronic Warfare Systems and Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• Satellite Terminal Operation and Maintenance
• Missile Detection and Defence Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• Ground Penetrating Radar Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• Basic Switches and Router Operation, Programming, Configuring and Maintenance
• Software and Firmware Operations and Maintenance, Including Software-Defined Radios

Available Advanced Training

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

• Technical Communications Security Inspector
• Leadership courses
• Life Cycle Materiel Manager

Direct Entry Officer Plan

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec, including:

• Grade 10 Academic Math (Mathématiques 426 or CST 4)
• Grade 10 Academic Science

Foreign education may be accepted.

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: https://forces.ca/en/how-to-join/#wj

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Signal Technician, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

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