Marine Systems Electrical Technician

Canadian Armed Forces View all jobs

  • Dillon, SK
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 14 days ago
Priority Application Processing Learn more about the $50,000 Recruiting AllowanceRecruiting Allowance ×Members who enrol in this occupation will receive:
  • $10,000 upon completion of basic training,
  • $20,000 once qualified in trade, and
  • $20,000 upon completion of six years of continuous service.
The member in receipt of the third installment shall, commencing on the date the member met the conditions of payment of that third installment, serve an additional thirty-six months of continuous service in their military occupation in the Regular Force.For more information on the Recruiting Allowance, please read . See for more information.CloseSkip to Section:Skip to SectionPlay videoDISCOVERTHE HIGH STAKES WORLD OF A MARINE SYSTEMS ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN.PREPAREFOR A LOOK INSIDE THE SKILL, EXPERTISE AND DEDICATION BEHIND THE OCCUPATION.Play videoPlay videoJOINJOIN SAILOR 1ST CLASS DILLON O'LEARY AS THEY WALK YOU THROUGH A DAY IN THE LIFE. PLEASE NOTE MARINE TECHNICIAN HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO OCCUPATIONS; MARINE SYSTEMS MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN AND MARINE SYSTEMS ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN. THIS WALK AND TALK SHOWCASES ASPECTS OF BOTH OCCUPATIONS.TranscriptCloseTranscriptMarine Systems Electrical Technicians, or MSETs, are a core part of the team that keeps naval ships and submarines running smoothly. They are responsible for operating and maintaining all the electrical and machinery control systems on board the vessel.MSETs work on many different electrical systems. As part of the marine systems engineering department, they maintain the propulsion capabilities, electrical power generation, and automation and control systems.These technicians conduct maintenance, testing, troubleshooting and diagnostics to ensure the vessels are always sea-ready for training, peace-keeping, or battle. MSETs stick to carefully planned maintenance schedules to keep the ship’s equipment in prime condition.Watchkeeping is another key responsibility they have, in which they operate and monitor the equipment and systems in order to ensure everything is running smoothly and reliably so that the machinery can respond to command’s direction at a moment’s notice.MSETs continue training throughout their career to keep up with best practices. They must develop an in-depth knowledge of marine system engineering to tackle problems as they arise and will often work together in teams.In addition to their main duties, MSETs may help in emergency situations as part of the team of onboard experts in firefighting and damage control.CloseTranscriptInterviewerToday we are in Halifax on HMCS William Hall, and we'll be chatting with sailor First Class Dillon O'Leary, who's a marine technician. Hey, Dillon.DillonHey.InterviewerHow's it going?DillonGood. Yourself.InterviewerGood.DillonI’ll come down and talk to you.InterviewerSounds good. What you doing up there?DillonI'm up here fixing a windshield wiper assembly for the bridge windows.InterviewerOkay, cool. Is that part of one of your tasks as a Marine Technician?DillonYes it is.InterviewerAnd what other kind of tasks do you do on board?DillonAnything involving mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and structural equipment.InterviewerOkay, so it sounds like a marine technician is essentially the person you call if something breaks on the ship.DillonIt most definitely is.InterviewerNice. So do you just do that on this ship or...DillonAny class of ship we can work on.InterviewerOh, wow, that's so cool. And in terms of places on the ship where you work, what does that look like?DillonAnywhere with mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, or structural equipment.InterviewerAll right, show me your favorite spot on board.DillonCertainly. Come with me.InterviewerOh. Through that?DillonYes. Through this.InterviewerAll right. Let's do it. So, Dillon, where are you right now?DillonWe are in the flats of the ship.InterviewerWhat does that mean, exactly?DillonThis is how we traverse the ship.InterviewerOh, wow. Cool. Okay. And tell me what had you Pick Mar Tech as a trade?DillonI was a diesel mechanic. civvy side and I wanted a bigger challenge.InterviewerNice. And so, what can we find you doing on your downtime?DillonOn my downtime, I probably be relaxing watching a show or movies. Maybe playing guitar if I have the space for it.InterviewerAwesome. Are we almost at that spot?DillonYeah, it's just right here.InterviewerCool. Can't wait to see.DillonHi. Welcome to my shop.InterviewerI love it in here. So is this where you spend most of your time, then?DillonNot so much. I spend a lot more time repairing things down in the spaces. But this is where we come for our tools and any parts that we need for any jobs.InterviewerAll right, so what's your favorite job to work on then?DillonDefinitely have to do anything with the diesel engines.InterviewerThat's making me think that you prefer sailing in the winter than in the summer?DillonOh, for sure. I do not like the heat in the spaces in the summer. Gets quite warm down there.InterviewerSo tell me, why are Mar Techs essential to a ship?DillonIf you don't have us, the ship's not going anywhere. We fix everything on a daily basis.InterviewerThat sounds super essential.DillonYes. It is.InterviewerYeah. Okay, Dillon, last question. Then we'll let you get back to it.DillonOkay.InterviewerWhy become a Mar Tech in the Canadian Armed Forces?DillonIf you like working with your hands and like the feeling of working in a big family, it's definitely a good spot for you.InterviewerI love it. All right. See you. Later.DillonSee you. Have a good one.CloseOverviewPlease submit an application in the Online Applicant Portal under the previous occupation; Marine Technician, if you are interested in this occupation.As a member of the military, Marine Systems Electrical Technicians (MSETs) are responsible for the operation and maintenance of electrical and control systems onboard His Majesty's Canadian (HMC) Ships and Submarines. They also can be employed at shore repair and naval technical training facilities to support fleet activities. Initially, MSETs operate and maintain all marine systems engineering equipment onboard ship at the apprentice level.MSETs are members of a ship’s engineering department responsible for the operation, maintenance, and supervision of electrical and control systems at sea. They maintain, operate, and monitor electrical and electronic equipment associated with the ship’s power generation, ancillary and auxiliary engineering systems and propulsion systems. They are also called upon to operate and monitor a ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment.MSETs monitor, operate and maintain the electrical machinery for the following:Shipboard Power Generation & Distribution
  • Main and emergency switchboards
  • Ungrounded/isolated shipboard electrical systems
  • Diesel and gas-turbine generator systems
  • Generator synchronization & load sharing
  • Automatic voltage regulators (AVR)
  • Shore power connection systems
  • Transformers, circuit breakers, disconnects
Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery Electrical Systems
  • Electric propulsion motors (AC, synchronous, PM)
  • Thruster systems (bow/stern)
  • Variable pitch propeller control systems
  • Steering gear electrical systems
  • Ballast & bilge pump controls
  • Stabilizer control systems
  • Motor control centres (MCCs)
Marine Automation & Control Systems
  • Integrated Automation System (IAS) / IPMS
  • PLCs, I/O modules, and marine HMI systems
  • Alarm and Monitoring Systems (AMS)
  • Engine Control Room (ECR) systems
  • Navigation light panel control systems
Motors & Drive Systems
  • AC/DC motors
  • VFDs & soft starters
  • Servo drives
  • Motor protection relays
  • Motor testing & troubleshooting
Shipboard Instrumentation & Sensors
  • Pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters
  • 4–20 mA loops and signal conditioning
  • Tank sounding systems (pneumatic, capacitance, sonar)
  • Shaft torque/power meters
  • Fuel & lube oil monitoring instruments
Safety, Survivability & Hazardous Areas
  • SOLAS-compliant emergency circuits
  • Fire detection & suppression control systems
  • Watertight door electrical systems
  • EX / IECEx marine-rated electrical equipment
  • Marine-rated junction boxes, glands, and penetrations
  • Ground fault detection in isolated systems
Marine Electrical Installation Practices
  • Marine-rated cables (LSZH, tinned copper, etc.)
  • Cable trays, hangers, and naval conduit systems
  • Cable dressing for vibration & moisture resistance
  • Bulkhead and deck penetrations
  • Bonding, earthing, and continuity systems
  • Corrosion prevention and ICCP systems
Protective Devices & Electrical Safety
  • Overload, ground fault, and short-circuit protection
  • Arc-flash mitigation equipment (shipboard rated)
  • Emergency stop and interlock systems
  • Lockout/Tagout (marine procedures where applicable)
Industrial/Marine Networking & Communication Protocols
  • Modbus RTU/TCP
  • Profibus / Profinet
  • CAN bus (common in engines & thrusters)
  • Ethernet/IP (where used in hybrid/modern vessels)
  • Fiber optic shipboard networks
Technical Drawings & Documentation
  • Electrical schematics & wiring diagrams
  • Single-line and three-line diagrams
  • P&IDs for machinery spaces
  • Cable schedule interpretation
  • Marine classification drawings (ABS, Lloyd’s, DNV)
Testing, Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
  • Multimeters, clamp meters
  • Megger insulation testing (ungrounded systems)
  • Earth fault tracing systems
  • Loop calibrators (for instrumentation)
  • Thermal imaging for machinery spaces
  • Oscilloscopes for drives & control signals
In addition, MSETs will read and interpret engineering sketches and drawings, including electrical and electronic drawings.Work environmentMSETs spend much of their career on board ships based in either Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. Their duties can include repairing or maintaining equipment and participating in ship-wide evolutions such as fueling both at sea and alongside. While at sea, all members of the ship’s company stand watch in shifts. When the ship is alongside, MSETs typically work a regular day-shift schedule.In addition to their primary duties, junior MSETs may spend time working outside their occupation performing general duties such as cleaning, painting, working in the cafeteria or loading supplies.

Canadian Armed Forces