Avionics Technician Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Avionics technicians in Tucson keep the electronics flying on military aircraft at Davis-Monthan, repair aircraft electronics on factory benches and wire flight systems near the airport. L3Harris and Celestica are posting avionics work now, and Pima Community College trains the trade on South Park Avenue. Current openings are below.
Current Avionics Technician Openings in Tucson, AZ
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Avionics Technician Work in Tucson
Most avionics work in Tucson is tied to defense. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the southeast side and the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing at Morris Air National Guard Base, next to Tucson International Airport, keep military aircraft in town, and contractors staff avionics crews around them. L3Harris hires avionics and mission systems technicians in Tucson with Secret clearances, and its postings warn of travel that can reach 40 percent.
The rest sits on the airport's south side and in manufacturing. Celestica repairs, overhauls and tests aircraft electronic devices at its Tucson ITAR facility, and Pima Community College's Aviation Technology Center at 7211 S. Park Ave. teaches avionics in its own lab. Bombardier also runs a business-jet service center at the airport, and Universal Avionics makes avionics on East Universal Way.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Avionics Technicians
These Tucson employers have posted avionics and aircraft electronics work on their own careers sites:
- L3Harris - Avionics Technician C and Mission Systems Specialist (Avionics) roles in Tucson and at Davis-Monthan; U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance required.
- Celestica - FAA Electronics Engineering Technicians who repair, overhaul and test aircraft electronic devices at its Tucson ITAR facility, on first and second shift.
- 162nd Wing, Arizona Air National Guard - full-time Electronic Integrated Systems Mechanic jobs on the base by the airport, open to Guard members.
Avionics Technician Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level: roughly $22 to $28 an hour.
- Experienced: roughly $28 to $37 an hour.
- Senior, lead or federal technician: roughly $37 to $50 an hour.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. BLS put the national median for avionics technicians at $37.22 an hour in May 2023, and the 162nd Wing posted $41 to $50.39 an hour for its WG-12 to WG-13 technicians in July 2026. Clearances, shift differentials and travel pay move contractor pay up; L3Harris and Celestica do not post pay.
How to Become an Avionics Technician in Tucson
Pima Community College's Avionics Technician certificate is the local program: 28 credits in 16 weeks at the Aviation Technology Center's avionics lab, covering GPS navigation, autopilot, communication systems and weather radar. It builds on Pima's Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics certificate and connects to the Aviation Technology associate degree. Arizona does not license avionics technicians. The FAA mechanic certificate is valued but not always required, and contractors weigh experience heavily: L3Harris asks for a high school diploma and six years of avionics experience, or an associate degree and two. Military avionics training is the other common route in.
What the Job Involves
Avionics technicians install, inspect, troubleshoot and repair aircraft electronics: navigation, communication, radar, instruments and mission systems. On the flight line that means pulling and replacing units, running wiring checks and documenting every step against technical orders or maintenance manuals. On a bench it means component-level troubleshooting, detailed soldering and test equipment.
Skills Employers Look For
- Electronics troubleshooting down to the component level
- Reading schematics, wiring diagrams and aircraft technical publications
- Soldering and careful hand-tool work
- Exact maintenance documentation
- U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility for defense work
- Willingness to travel or work any shift
Career Path and Advancement
Tucson avionics technicians typically move from a C-level technician to a D-level specialist and a lead, the grade ladder L3Harris posts, or from WG-12 to WG-13 at the 162nd Wing. Bench technicians can move into test engineering or quality inspection, and adding an FAA A&P certificate opens full aircraft maintenance jobs at the airport's repair shops.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest alternatives for avionics technicians:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be an avionics technician in Arizona?
No. Arizona has no state license for avionics technicians. Employers look for training, experience and sometimes an FAA mechanic certificate, and defense contractors add a security clearance.
How long does avionics training take in Tucson?
Pima Community College's Avionics Technician certificate takes one semester, 16 weeks and 28 credits, at the Aviation Technology Center. It builds on the college's 16-month Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics certificate.
How much do avionics technicians make in Tucson?
Expect roughly $22 to $28 an hour starting, $28 to $37 with experience and $37 to $50 for senior and federal technicians. The 162nd Wing posted $41 to $50.39 an hour in 2026.
Do avionics jobs in Tucson require a security clearance?
Most defense jobs do. L3Harris requires U.S. citizenship and an interim Secret clearance before hire for its Avionics Technician C role. Celestica screens for export control at its ITAR facility after an offer.
Which Tucson employers hire avionics technicians?
L3Harris, Celestica and the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing have all posted avionics or aircraft electronics jobs in Tucson in 2026. Watch the airport's repair shops too.
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