Weapons Engineering Technicians (W ENG TECH) maintain and repair a wide variety of sophisticated electronic equipment in Canadian warships. From individual component diagnostics, to full system analysis, W ENG TECHs provide vital technical support for shipboard weapon systems, sensor arrays and communication suites.

The primary responsibilities of the W ENG TECH are to:

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of electronic equipment
• Assess operator deficiency reports to identify system faults
• Operate electronic diagnosis systems, specialized tools and test equipment
• Perform diagnostic analysis on suspect components and system to identify faults
• Repair faulty electronic equipment to restore system function
• Inspect, maintain, and install, electronic assemblies and sub-assemblies
• Compile test logs, evaluation reports and equipment maintenance documentation Read and interpret electronic drawings

Basic Occupational Qualification Training

Your Basic Occupational Qualification (BOQ) course will  be the final training phase ashore prior to being assigned  to a ship. This training will take place at either the Canadian Forces  Naval Engineering School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or at the  Canadian Forces Fleet School in Esquimalt, British  Columbia

BOQ teaches an individual how to become a Junior  Weapons Engineering Technician and will take  approximately 9 months to complete, it includes:

• Academic upgrading (primarily mathematics and physics) 
• Electrical and Electronics theory 
• Communications theory and applications 
• Radar theory and applications 
• Sonar theory and applications 
• y and applications Shipboard weapons systems theor
• Ammunition handling and safety  
• Use of hand tools, electrical meters and diagnostic equipment

Specialty Training

In addition to BOQ training, through formal courses  and/or on-the-job training some W ENG Techs will  receive additional speciality training in support of a  particular job, function or equipment set.  Some examples  of this training include: 

• Side Scan Sonar Operation 
• Video Conferencing Terminal Maintainer
• High Reliability Soldering 
• Explosives Safety Inspection
• Fibre Optics 

Upon completion of occupation training, W ENG TECHs will be posted onboard their first ship stationed either in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia, where they can be employed conducting repairs on the ship’s antennas or maintaining equipment on the deck. While aboard the ship, W ENG TECHs have limited living space and lack personal privacy, irregular meal hours and rest periods are often associated with duties at sea. When employed ashore, W ENG TECHs will normally work a regular day-shift schedule.

As with all sea-going personnel, W ENG TECHs work as team members with their fellow shipmates doing various duties such as watch keeper or sentry, and are periodically called upon to perform out-of-occupation work aboard the ship such as: cleaning, painting, working in the cafeteria, or helping to load supplies.