Avionics Technician Jobs in Tucson, AZ

Avionics technicians keep the electronic brains of aircraft running - navigation, communication, radar, and flight controls - and Tucson is one of the better places in the country to do it. Bombardier and MHIRJ service business and regional jets here, Ascent Aviation overhauls aircraft at nearby Pinal Airpark, Universal Avionics builds flight systems in town, and defense work at L3Harris and General Atomics adds cleared, higher-paying roles. Pima Community College's Avionics Technician certificate is the local on-ramp, and an FCC license opens the most jobs.

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Top Tucson Employers Hiring Avionics Technicians

Avionics jobs in Tucson span aircraft MRO, manufacturers, and defense. Each link lands on current openings:

Bombardier and MHIRJ - business and regional jet service centers hiring avionics technicians for installation, troubleshooting, and repair.
Ascent Aviation Services - the Marana and Pinal Airpark maintenance, repair, and overhaul operation hiring avionics techs for heavy checks and mods.
Universal Avionics - the Tucson-based avionics manufacturer (an Elbit Systems company) hiring electronic technicians for shop and bench work.
Raytheon and L3Harris - defense avionics and ISR aircraft roles, often requiring a security clearance and paying toward the top.
General Atomics - unmanned aircraft (drone) avionics roles supporting test and production.
World View and Davis-Monthan - stratospheric-balloon avionics and military aircraft electronics work.

Avionics Technician Salaries in Tucson

Entry-level: about $48,000 - $58,000 per year ($23 - $28 per hour)
Experienced: about $58,000 - $72,000 per year ($28 - $35 per hour)
Senior / specialized / cleared: about $72,000 - $90,000+ per year ($35 - $43 per hour)

These are estimates that vary by employer, certifications, and clearance. Defense roles that require a clearance pay toward the top, and many employers add shift differentials, tool allowances, and tuition reimbursement. Holding an FCC license and an FAA A&P, plus experience on specific aircraft or systems, moves you up the range.

How to Become an Avionics Technician in Tucson

The local route is Pima Community College's Avionics Technician certificate, which covers GPS, autopilot, communication systems, and weather radar and ladders into an Aviation Technology associate degree; military avionics training also qualifies. The credentials that open the most doors are the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), required for much communications work, and an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) or Airframe license, with the AET certification also valued. Defense employers like Raytheon and L3Harris additionally require U.S. citizenship and a security clearance. You will need to read schematics and wiring diagrams and document maintenance to FAA standards.

What the Job Involves

A Tucson avionics technician installs, inspects, troubleshoots, and repairs the electronic systems aboard aircraft - navigation, communication, radar, instruments, and flight controls - sometimes down to the circuit-board level in a shop. The setting varies: a Bombardier or Ascent hangar focuses on business and regional jets, Universal Avionics works at the bench on manufactured units, and L3Harris and General Atomics handle defense and unmanned platforms. Precision, schematic reading, and careful regulatory documentation define the work.

Skills Employers Look For

Strong electronics troubleshooting and bench skills
Ability to read schematics and wiring diagrams
An FCC GROL license and, ideally, an FAA A&P
Soldering and IPC-standard workmanship
Knowledge of FAA regulations and documentation
For defense roles, U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility

Career Path & Advancement

Avionics offers a clear ladder in Tucson. Technicians advance to lead and inspector roles, then to avionics specialist or shop supervisor, and some move into quality and inspection authority or avionics engineering support. Cleared defense work pays more and opens specialized platforms, while an FAA A&P broadens you into full aircraft maintenance. Because Tucson hosts MRO operations, a manufacturer, and major defense contractors, you can specialize and advance without leaving the region.

Related Careers in Tucson

If you are exploring aviation and electronics careers in Tucson, these related guides are worth a look:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to be an avionics technician in Tucson?

There is no single mandatory license, but the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is required for much communications work and is commonly expected, and an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) or Airframe license is preferred by many employers. The AET certification is also valued, and defense roles require a security clearance.

How do you train as an avionics technician in Tucson?

Pima Community College offers an Avionics Technician certificate covering GPS, autopilot, communication systems, and weather radar, which ladders into an Aviation Technology associate degree. Military avionics or electronics training also qualifies, and many technicians add an FCC license and FAA credentials to broaden their options.

How much do avionics technicians make in Tucson?

Entry-level avionics technicians in Tucson generally earn about $23 to $28 per hour, experienced techs roughly $28 to $35 per hour, and senior, specialized, or cleared roles around $35 to $43 per hour. Defense positions requiring a clearance tend to pay toward the top, with tool allowances and tuition support common.

Which Tucson employers hire avionics technicians?

Major employers include Bombardier and MHIRJ for business and regional jets, Ascent Aviation at Pinal Airpark, the manufacturer Universal Avionics, and defense companies like Raytheon, L3Harris, and General Atomics. World View and operations at Davis-Monthan also hire for avionics and aircraft electronics work.

Do avionics jobs in Tucson require a security clearance?

Some do and some do not. Defense and ISR roles at companies like Raytheon, L3Harris, and General Atomics generally require U.S. citizenship and a security clearance, while commercial MRO and manufacturer roles at Bombardier, Ascent, and Universal Avionics usually do not, though they may require a background check.

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