Looking for a city where the cleared careers are as hot as the temperatures? Consider defense industry opportunities in Tucson, AZ. If you like sunshine and space, Tucson is a great option. If you’re looking for a city with a lot of recreation – great hiking, biking, running, and weather that allows you to do it almost all year long. If you’re looking for a more casual work environment, you may find West is best. In Tucson, you can likely leave the tie behind and embrace a laid back work culture. When you wrap up work for the day, head for the mountains and take in the big open skies.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is located in Tucson. Raytheon Missile Systems is the largest private employer in Pima County. Tucson’s Aerospace Research Campus is 500 acres of space dedicated to space commercialization and microelectronics industries. With space commercialization an emerging industry, Tucson is positioning itself to help take on new challenges in aerospace.
Benefits of Working in Tucson
Cost of living ranks high on the list for those moving to the coasts, as well as the chance to be in a city with real personality. Tucson has the vibrant feel of a college town, and the University of Arizona fuels not just fresh talent, but fresh cultural experiences into the region. The university’s Defense and Security Research Institute helps to build partnerships between academia and the defense industry.
When it comes to recreation, both the Grand Canyon, and Disneyland, are a short drive away. Tucson has a bustling urban downtown and is often cited as having the best bicycling infrastructure in the nation. And while low cost of living and reasonable housing make it a great place to settle down and raise a family, the city is also a great bet for singles. It has been ranked a top city for singles, and with approximately 62% of residents unattached, your chances of finding a social group are good.
Cleared Industries and Jobs to Watch
Manufacturing is big in Tucson, specifically high-end manufacturing. Technical jobs are also hot in the region, from data scientist to DevOps engineer. Leidos has a number of positions to support an $85.5 million follow-on National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) contract. Other current openings include aircraft technician, drone maintenance and security specialist. The aerospace, defense and research industries are strong in Tucson, creating a steady stream of cleared job opportunities in the desert.
Tucson 411
| Population | 553,871 (33rd largest city in the U.S.) |
|---|---|
| Housing Cost | The median rental costs $825 per month, and the median house value is $146,500. |
| Typical Weather | Tucson’s dry, desert climate provides average temps between 90-100°F May-September, with the other months’ average highs ranging between 65-70°F. It’s a dry heat though, right? |
| Cleared Employer to Watch | Apex Systems, PAE, and Leidos |
| Highlighted Job | Aircraft Mechanic – beautiful weather and affordable home prices make Tucson, AZ a great place to pivot from the commercial aircraft mechanic world and head on over to the cleared world. |
