Aerospace Quality Inspector Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Aerospace quality inspectors in Tucson sign off on aircraft hardware before it ships or flies, from first article inspections at an ITAR electronics site to airworthiness checks on military flight lines. Current openings are below, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and how to qualify.
Current Quality Inspector Openings in Tucson, AZ
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Aerospace Quality Inspector Work in Tucson
Tucson inspection work comes in two flavors. On the manufacturing and repair side, Celestica's Tucson aerospace site, an FAA repair station and ITAR facility, hires inspectors who build first article inspection reports to AS9102, check assemblies against drawings and IPC workmanship standards, and verify supplier certifications and CMM data. On the aircraft side, L3Harris hires quality inspectors in Tucson who hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate with Inspection Authorization and keep military aircraft airworthy, with rotating shifts and deployments.
The MRO shops add a third door. Ascent Aviation Services, with sites on South Park Avenue near Tucson International Airport and at Pinal Airpark north of Marana, lists nondestructive testing among its entry-level jobs and features a quality control inspector among its employees. Pima Community College's Aviation Technology Center, on the same stretch of South Park Avenue, trains the NDT and structures skills those shops use.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Aerospace Quality Inspectors
These Tucson employers have posted aerospace inspection work on their own careers sites:
- Celestica - hiring an Aerospace First Article Inspector in Tucson to prepare AS9102 reports and inspect in-process and finished aerospace assemblies.
- L3Harris - hiring quality inspectors with an A&P certificate and Inspection Authorization for military aircraft maintenance out of Tucson; a Secret clearance is required.
- Ascent Aviation Services - the aircraft MRO in Tucson and Marana names NDT jobs and quality control inspectors on its careers page.
Aerospace Quality Inspector Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (receiving or in-process inspection): roughly $18 to $23 an hour.
- Experienced (first article, CMM, NDT): roughly $23 to $32 an hour.
- Senior (A&P with Inspection Authorization, lead inspector): roughly $32 to $45 an hour.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. No Tucson figure is published for inspectors; nationally the federal wage survey put the median for inspectors and testers at $22.04 an hour in May 2023, with the top tenth above $34.72. Aircraft inspectors who hold an A&P and IA sit at the top because they also qualify as senior mechanics, and clearance, shift and deployment work add to pay.
How to Become an Aerospace Quality Inspector in Tucson
Arizona has no license for quality inspectors. The requirement depends on the work. Production inspectors need to read drawings and know AS9100 and AS9102; Celestica asks for some coursework after high school and four to six years of relevant experience for first article work. Aircraft inspectors need FAA credentials: L3Harris asks for at least five years as an FAA-certified A&P mechanic plus Inspection Authorization. Pima Community College's Aviation Technology Center offers an 11-month Nondestructive Testing certificate, the Aircraft Structural Repair Certificate, which covers inspection of sheet metal and composite structures, and the 16-month Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Certificate.
What the Job Involves
Inspectors measure parts and assemblies against drawings and specifications, run or verify CMM and gauge data, perform first article and final inspections, and write up anything that does not conform. Aircraft inspectors review maintenance records and manuals, inspect completed work against federal regulations and sign off on airworthiness. Every finding has to be documented.
Skills Employers Look For
- Reading blueprints, schematics and technical publications
- AS9100 quality systems and AS9102 first article inspection
- Precision measurement and CMM report verification
- IPC workmanship standards for electronic assemblies
- Maintenance records and knowledge of federal aviation regulations
- Clear written documentation and cross-team communication
Career Path and Advancement
Many Tucson inspectors come off the production floor or the hangar. Assemblers and technicians move into receiving and in-process inspection, then first article or NDT work, and on to lead inspector or quality specialist roles like Celestica's operations quality specialists. On the aircraft side, mechanics earn the A&P, build years on the line and add Inspection Authorization to step into the inspector role.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest alternatives for aerospace quality inspectors:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be an aerospace quality inspector in Tucson?
Not from Arizona. Production inspectors need skills and experience rather than a license. Inspectors who sign off on aircraft maintenance need FAA credentials; L3Harris asks for an A&P certificate with Inspection Authorization for its Tucson quality inspectors.
How much do aerospace quality inspectors make in Tucson?
Entry inspection roles run roughly $18 to $23 an hour, experienced first article, CMM and NDT inspectors about $23 to $32, and senior aircraft inspectors with an A&P and IA about $32 to $45. These are estimates that vary by employer.
What is a first article inspection?
It is a full inspection of the first part or assembly built from a new or changed design, documented on AS9102 forms. Celestica's Tucson first article inspectors build those reports, check assemblies against drawings and handle customer sign-offs.
Where can I train for NDT in Tucson?
Pima Community College offers a Nondestructive Testing certificate that takes about 11 months at its Aviation Technology Center near Tucson International Airport. Ascent Aviation Services lists NDT among its entry-level jobs.
Which Tucson employers hire aerospace quality inspectors?
Celestica, L3Harris and Ascent Aviation Services all show inspection work for Tucson on their own careers sites. L3Harris roles require a Secret clearance, and Celestica's site handles export-controlled goods.
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