6 Companies Bringing 285 New Jobs to Tucson: Who's Hiring and How to Apply
Originally published April 9, 2026 · Updated May 19, 2026
Tucson's economic development machine quietly delivered a significant win: six companies committed to the region in 2025, collectively creating 285 new jobs across multiple industries and skill levels. The expansion — driven by collaboration between Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and regional economic development partners — spans aerospace and defense, mining technology, precision manufacturing, logistics, optics and photonics, and distribution.
These aren't distant promises. Several of these employers are actively posting open positions right now. Search Tucson jobs on TucsonHIRED.com and apply today.
The Chamber of Southern Arizona's Growth Sectors at Work
The Chamber of Southern Arizona identifies Tucson's growth sectors as optics and photonics, transportation and logistics, mining and mining technology, aerospace and defense, and bioscience and healthcare. This round of expansions touches nearly all of them — a clear signal that Tucson's strategic position near the U.S.-Mexico border, along Interstate 10 and I-19, continues to attract employers across high-value industries.
Shamrock Foods: 125 Jobs With New Tucson Distribution Facility
Shamrock Food Company, a Phoenix-based food and beverage distributor, committed to creating 125 new Tucson-area jobs tied to a new warehouse and distribution facility — the largest employment commitment by headcount among all six companies. The expansion strengthens Tucson's logistics corridor, which benefits from its position along I-10 and I-19 and its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border crossing at Nogales.
Roles hiring now: Truck drivers (CDL-A required), warehouse associates, delivery drivers, forklift operators, logistics coordinators, and sales professionals. The new distribution facility will create additional opportunities in management, operations, maintenance, and customer service.
Pay: Logistics and distribution roles in this segment of Tucson's market typically start in the range of $18 to $25 per hour for warehouse positions and $60,000 to $80,000 annually for CDL-A drivers, based on current postings.
Learn more about Shamrock Foods Jobs
Search warehouse jobs in Tucson or CDL driver openings today.
Delta Zee Solutions: 100 Defense Sector Jobs Coming to Tucson
Delta Zee Solutions, an engineering and manufacturing company serving the defense industry, made the largest single job commitment of any of the six companies, pledging 100 new Tucson-area positions. The expansion directly reinforces Tucson's standing as a national aerospace and defense hub, following the city's established cluster that includes Raytheon Missiles and Defense at its Britannia Drive campus and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the southeast side.
Role types anticipated: Defense engineers, manufacturing technicians, program managers, quality assurance specialists, and program support staff. U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility are expected requirements for most positions.
Learn more about Delta Zee Jobs
Search defense jobs in Tucson or manufacturing technician openings on TucsonHIRED.
Kilgore Manufacturing: 30 Precision Machining Roles
Kilgore Manufacturing Company, a Tucson-based precision machining and assembly operation, committed to 30 new positions as part of its expansion. The company serves industries requiring high-precision components and assembly services, making it a natural fit for Tucson's existing aerospace and defense supply chain.
Roles expected: CNC machinists, precision machinists, assembly technicians, quality control inspectors, and production supervisors. These are skilled manufacturing roles that command premium wages in Tucson's market, typically in the range of $20 to $35 per hour for experienced machinists.
Learn more about Kilgore Manufacturing jobs
Search CNC machinist jobs or machinist openings in Tucson.
Freeport-McMoRan: 10 R&D Jobs Plus Active Engineering Hiring
Freeport-McMoRan, one of the world's largest copper mining companies with significant operations in Southern Arizona, committed to a new research and development facility with 10 new jobs as part of the economic development round — and the company is actively hiring across its broader Tucson presence right now.
Current openings include roles for engineers, geologists, health and safety professionals, maintenance technicians, administrative staff, and research scientists focused on mining technology and sustainable practices. Freeport's Tucson-area work spans both active mine operations and corporate functions, giving job seekers entry points at multiple experience levels.
Learn more about Freeport-McMoRan jobs
Search Freeport-McMoRan jobs or mining and geology openings on TucsonHIRED.
Edmund Optics: 20 Jobs in Tucson's Optics and Photonics Sector
Edmund Optics, a leading global supplier of optics, imaging, and photonics technology, committed to adding 20 new jobs in Tucson. The company has a history of expansion in the region, having previously opened a 21,225-square-foot assembly and advanced design facility on East Elvira Road near Tucson International Airport, which created approximately 50 technology jobs.
Edmund Optics currently employs 35 people in Tucson and operates two facilities in the area. Their expansion supports advanced design efforts and high-volume manufacturing services, including clean-room assembly, inspection, and testing for both commercial and defense applications.
The University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences — the top-ranked optics program in the United States — creates a pipeline of trained optical professionals in Tucson that companies like Edmund Optics tap directly.
Role types expected: Optical engineers, optical technicians, manufacturing specialists, and quality assurance staff.
Learn more about Edmond Optics jobs
I-10 International Logistics Campus: The Infrastructure Behind the Growth
The I-10 International Logistics Campus played a crucial role in this economic development effort by developing a new 374,000-square-foot facility on a 79-acre site east of Tucson International Airport. This infrastructure investment provides ready-to-use space for new businesses to establish operations, reducing the time needed for companies to begin hiring in Tucson.
While the logistics campus itself represents an infrastructure investment rather than a direct employer, its development enables other businesses to locate and expand in Tucson more efficiently — particularly transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution operations seeking strategic positioning near the airport and major highways.
Economic Development Partnership Success
These business commitments result from strong collaboration between TEP's Business Development team and economic development partners including the City of Tucson, Pima County, The Chamber of Southern Arizona, and local chambers of commerce. This partnership approach has proven highly effective: TEP has contributed to economic development efforts that have created 22,685 local jobs since 2016.
The recent merger of the Tucson Metro Chamber and Sun Corridor into The Chamber of Southern Arizona has further strengthened local economic development efforts, with TEP CEO Susan Gray serving as the first board chair. The new Chamber actively works with site selectors and companies from around the world seeking strategic locations for business expansion.
What This Means for Tucson Job Seekers Across Every Level
These 285 jobs represent a meaningful cross-section of opportunity: entry-level warehouse associates at Shamrock, skilled CNC machinists at Kilgore, defense engineers at Delta Zee, optical technicians at Edmund Optics, and research scientists at Freeport. Workers at every experience level should be actively monitoring these employers' career pages and checking TucsonHIRED.com regularly.
The continued expansion of these businesses suggests ongoing hiring needs well into 2026 and beyond. Tucson's economic momentum continues to build, with these 285 new jobs representing just the beginning of what promises to be a period of sustained growth.
🔎 Search More Tucson Jobs Now
These six companies are just the beginning. Hundreds of Tucson employers are posting open positions on TucsonHIRED.com right now. Search by industry:
- Defense & Aerospace Jobs in Tucson
- Warehouse & Logistics Jobs in Tucson
- Machinist & Manufacturing Jobs in Tucson
- Mining & Geology Jobs in Tucson
- Optics & Photonics Jobs in Tucson
- All Jobs Hiring Now in Tucson
📢 Employers: Reach Tucson Job Seekers
Growing companies expanding in Tucson post on TucsonHIRED.com to connect with the metro's active, motivated workforce across every industry and skill level. Create your employer account and post jobs today.
