CNC Machinist Jobs in Tucson, AZ

CNC machinists in Tucson cut precision parts for missiles, aircraft components and defense electronics, mostly on the south side near the airport and in the northwest off I-10. Raytheon's posted starting rate for a journeyman machinist was $31.50 an hour this year. Current openings are below, followed by who hires and how to train.

CNC Machinist Work in Tucson

Most Tucson machining is aerospace and defense work. Raytheon's missile plant on East Hermans Road, south of Tucson International Airport, keeps its own machinists building developmental parts, test equipment, tooling and fixtures. On the northwest side, Sargent Aerospace and Defense grinds and fits precision components to clearances measured in ten-thousandths, and smaller shops such as Albers Aerospace on East Britannia Drive and Integrated Magnetics run multi-axis mills and lathes for military, aerospace, semiconductor and medical customers.

That mix shapes the job here. Many postings require U.S. citizenship, and the Raytheon jobs add a Secret clearance and a union contract. Training is local too: Pima Community College teaches machining in the Advanced Manufacturing Building at its Downtown Campus, home of the college's Center of Excellence in Applied Technology, and Raytheon accepts a Machine Tool Technology associate degree in place of years on the floor.

Top Tucson Employers for CNC Machinists

These Tucson-area employers hire machinists for this work:

• Raytheon - journeyman and lead machinists at the East Hermans Road plant make developmental parts, test equipment, tools and fixtures; union-represented, with U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance required.
• Sargent Aerospace and Defense - the RBC Bearings company on the northwest side hires machinists, match-fit grinders and machinist trainees for precision aerospace components.
• Albers Aerospace - an aerospace machine shop on East Britannia Drive that hires experienced CNC setup machinists for 3-, 4- and 5-axis mills.
• Integrated Magnetics - a Tucson manufacturer of custom-engineered products for military, aerospace, semiconductor and medical customers that hires CNC mill and lathe machinists.

CNC Machinist Salaries in Tucson

• Entry level (CNC operator or trainee): roughly $19 to $24 an hour.
• Experienced (independent setup machinist): roughly $25 to $32 an hour.
• Senior (journeyman, programmer or lead): roughly $32 to $42 an hour.

These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. Raytheon posted a $31.50 starting rate for its union journeyman machinist role in 2026, and Integrated Magnetics advertised $25 to $40 an hour for second-shift CNC mill work. Setting up and programming your own jobs, multi-axis experience and a clearance push pay toward the top of the range.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Tucson

Arizona has no machinist license and no state exam; employers judge you by experience and a practical test. Pima Community College's Downtown Campus offers a one-year Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator certificate, a one-year Machining Inspection and Quality Assurance certificate and a two-year Machine Tool Technology AAS, and the CNC certificate stacks into the other two. High school students can start at Pima JTED, which runs CNC training at its PCC Downtown campus. Raytheon's journeyman postings ask for six years of machinist or tool and die experience or that AAS, plus a practical test within 30 days of hire.

What the Job Involves

You read the print, plan the operations, choose tooling and workholding, load or edit the program, and cut a first article. Then you inspect it against the drawing with micrometers, bore gauges and indicators, adjust offsets, and record first-piece and in-process checks before the run continues. Higher-level machinists program parts in Mastercam or at the control and machine harder materials.

Skills Employers Look For

• Blueprint reading, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
• Mill, lathe and grinder setup, tooling and offset control
• G-code editing and CAM programming such as Mastercam
• Precision measurement and first-piece inspection
• Shop math: algebra, geometry and trigonometry
• Careful documentation for aerospace and defense quality systems

Career Path and Advancement

The Tucson ladder runs trainee or CNC operator, setup machinist, machinist and then journeyman, programmer or lead. Sargent posts graded Machinist I, II and III jobs, and Raytheon has senior lead machinist roles above journeyman. From there machinists move into quality inspection, manufacturing engineering or shop supervision, often after finishing the Pima AAS while working.

Related Careers in Tucson

These Tucson guides cover work close to machining:

• Machine Operator
• Fabricator
• Quality Inspector
• Manufacturing Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to be a CNC machinist in Arizona?

No. Arizona does not license machinists. Employers look at your experience, a practical test and training such as Pima Community College's CNC Operator certificate or Machine Tool Technology AAS.

How long does it take to train as a machinist in Tucson?

Pima's CNC Operator certificate takes about one year full time and the Machine Tool Technology AAS about two. Raytheon's journeyman jobs ask for that AAS or six years of machinist or tool and die experience.

Which Tucson employers hire the most CNC machinists?

Defense and aerospace lead. Raytheon near the airport and Sargent Aerospace and Defense on the northwest side post machinist jobs regularly, and shops such as Albers Aerospace and Integrated Magnetics hire CNC setup machinists.

Do Tucson machinist jobs require a security clearance?

Some do. Raytheon's machinist postings require U.S. citizenship and an active Secret clearance or the ability to get an interim one before starting. Sargent requires U.S. citizenship, and smaller shops vary.

Do Tucson machinists work nights?

Often. Raytheon asks machinists to work any shift, including overnight, and Integrated Magnetics has advertised a 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. second shift. Ask about shift schedules before you apply.

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