Avionics Instrument Technicians
Job description
These individuals install, adjust, and repair aircraft systems and equipment. This includes navigation and communication systems (radars, autopilot systems, etc.). They also work to identify problems and optimize and control the quality of systems and equipment. They work for:
- Aircraft maintenance organizations
- Air carriers
- Companies manufacturing aeronautical and aerospace products
Environment
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Electricity
Main tasks
- Verify and analyze the condition and operation of avionics systems and equipment.
- Identify operating problems or failures of avionics systems and equipment.
- Install or perform routine maintenance on conventional and automated avionics systems.
- Assemble, disassemble, repair, modify, or optimize avionics systems and equipment.
- Inspect avionics systems and equipment to certify their return to service.
- Perform some basic mechanical tasks on aircraft.
- Record the tasks performed on the aircraft in the appropriate documents.
- Ensure that work is performed according to
- Requirements
- Technical drawings
- Manuals
- Policies and procedures
- Quality standards
- Current regulations
Advancement and mobility
- Experience may lead to senior or supervisory positions or Methods Officer positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in techniques d'avionique
Placement rate: 80%
20% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- An Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence (Category E - Avionics) from Transport Canada is a major asset.
- This licence is required to sign and certify the return to service of aircraft.
- It can be obtained after 30 months (under certain conditions) or 48 months of relevant work experience and the successful completion of the required exams.
- Multiple training and certifications may be required depending on the type of aircraft, navigation system, or territory.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment maintenance
- Repair
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thought
- Information processing
- Monitoring operations
- Solving complex problems
- Active listening
- Oral expression
- Reading comprehension
- Written expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Result evaluation
- Time management
- Active learning
- System analysis
- Coordination
- Equipment selection
Abilities
- Written comprehension
- Awareness of issues
- Oral comprehension
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Deductive reasoning
- Digital dexterity
- Written expression
- Inductive reasoning
- Verbal skills
- Control accuracy
- Hand-arm stability
- Manual dexterity
- Visualization
- Speech clarity
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Classification
- Colour perception and distinction
- Perception speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Perseverance
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to adapt
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Rigour
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Capacity for synthesis
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Sense of observation
- Commitment to quality
Interests
- Work in transportation and maintenance
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (CNP 22313)
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026