Overview

Marine Systems Electrical Technicians (MSETs) are responsible for the operation and maintenance of electrical and control systems onboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ships and Submarines. They may also be employed at shore repair and naval technical training facilities to support fleet activities. MSETs start at the apprentice level, operating and maintaining all marine systems engineering equipment onboard ship.

Responsibilities

- Operate, maintain, and supervise electrical and control systems at sea.
- Maintain, operate, and monitor electrical and electronic equipment associated with ship‑power generation, ancillary and auxiliary systems, and propulsion systems.
- Operate and monitor ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Monitor, operate, and maintain electrical machinery for shipboard power generation & distribution, including main and emergency switchboards, ungrounded/isolated electrical systems, diesel and gas‑turbine generator systems, generator synchronization & load sharing, automatic voltage regulators, shore power connection systems, transformers and circuit breakers.
- Maintain propulsion & auxiliary machinery electrical systems: electric propulsion motors (AC, synchronous, PM), bow/stern thrusters, variable‑pitch propeller control systems, steering‑gear electrical systems, ballast & bilge pump controls, stabilizer control systems, motor control centres.
- Operate marine automation & control systems: Integrated Automation System (IAS)/IPMS, PLCs, I/O modules, marine HMI systems, Alarm and Monitoring Systems (AMS), Engine Control Room (ECR) systems, navigation light panel control systems.
- Maintain motors & drive systems: AC/DC motors, VFDs & soft starters, servo drives, motor protection relays, motor testing & troubleshooting.
- Maintain shipboard instrumentation & sensors: pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters, 4–20 mA loops, tank‑sounding systems, shaft torque/power meters, fuel & lube oil monitoring instruments.
- Ensure safety, survivability & hazardous areas: SOLAS‑compliant circuits, fire detection & suppression control systems, watertight door electrical systems, marine‑rated electrical equipment (EX/IECEx), marine‑rated junction boxes, glands & penetrations, ground fault detection.
- Apply marine electrical installation practices: marine‑rated cables (LSZH, tinned copper), cable trays, hangers, naval conduit systems, cable dressing for vibration & moisture resistance, bulkhead & deck penetrations, bonding, earthing,



continuity systems, corrosion prevention & ICCP systems.
- Use protective devices & electrical safety equipment: overload, ground fault and short‑circuit protection, arc‑flash mitigation equipment, emergency stop and interlock systems, lockout/tagout procedures.
- Implement industrial/marine networking & communication protocols: Modbus RTU/TCP, Profibus/Profinet, CAN bus, Ethernet/IP, fiber optic shipboard networks.
- Read and interpret technical drawings & documentation: electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, single‑line and three‑line diagrams, P&IDs;, cable schedules, marine classification drawings.
- Perform testing, troubleshooting & diagnostics: multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testing, earth fault tracing systems, loop calibrators, thermal imaging, oscilloscopes.
- Read and interpret engineering sketches and drawings, including electrical and electronic drawings.

Work Environment

MSETs spend much of their career on board ships based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. Duties include repairing or maintaining equipment and participating in ship‑wide operations such as fueling. While at sea, ship’s company stands watch in shifts; when alongside, MSETs typically work regular day‑shift schedules. Junior MSETs may also perform general duties such as cleaning, painting, cafeteria work, or loading supplies.

Entry Plans

The minimum acceptable education is the completion of provincial Grade 10 requirements, including Grade 10 Applied Math & Grade 10 Applied Science.

Paid Education Options: The CAF pays successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college under the Non‑Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP). NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on‑the‑job training during the summer months, receive a full‑time salary, medical and dental care, and vacation time with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time.

Training

- Basic Military Qualification (or Basic Training) at the CAF Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec.




- Naval Fleet School: Pacific (Esquimalt) or Atlantic (Halifax), three‑month training covering basic mechanical, electrical, hull systems theory, preventive and corrective maintenance, propulsion and ancillary engineering rounds, equipment flash‑up and shut‑down procedures, basic emergency responses, and repair of watertight closures.
- Hands‑on training package on a ship following initial class training.
- Opportunities for specialized skills: Integrated Platform Management Systems (IPMS), marine high voltage, instrumentation and controls, technical support for marine helicopter operations.
- Advanced training as career progresses: advanced electrical preventive/corrective maintenance, plant operation and watch supervision, advanced firefighting/damage control, refit management, equipment lifecycle management, maintenance management, project management.
- Additional Naval training (approximately five weeks) covering naval history and organization, shipboard firefighting, safety and security, watchkeeping duties, seamanship.

Part‑time Options

This occupation is available for part‑time employment with the Naval Reserve at certain locations across Canada, including 24 Naval Reserve Divisions. Reserve Force members can serve while attending school or working a civilian job, typically part‑time at a Naval Reserve Division and full‑time for short training or deployment periods. They may also volunteer for long‑term full‑time contracts (up to several years).

MSET – Reserve serve as members of the Royal Canadian Navy, maintaining all mechanical and structural systems onboard RCN ships up to Sailor 1st Class rank. Reserves provide technical expertise for boatsheds, perform advanced preventive and corrective maintenance on small boats, support Annual Naval Summer Training Unit (ANSU) by operating and maintaining power generation and ventilation systems, and may progress to leading maintenance teams.

Reserve members attend Basic Military Naval Qualification at Naval Fleet School Quebec, followed by naval environmental training and occupation qualification at Naval Fleet School Pacific or Atlantic (approximately nine weeks). They are paid 93% of Regular Force rates, receive perks including a pension plan, and may qualify for reimbursement of civilian education expenses.

Related Careers

- Electrical Generation Systems Technician
- Electrical Distribution Technician

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📌 Marine Systems Electrical Technician (Surrey)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 Surrey