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Explosive Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Minimum 15+ years in EOD, explosives engineering, or related operational roles, including 5+ years in SOF EOD or similar special mission units. * Deep knowledge of EOD techniques, tactics, and ...

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Explosive Engineer information

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$38K

$115.9K

$191.5K

How much do explosive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for explosive engineer in the United States is $115,864.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $151,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a typical work environment like for an Explosive Engineer?

Explosive Engineers often split their time between office-based planning and on-site fieldwork, which can include mines, construction sites, or testing facilities. You may collaborate closely with safety officers, site managers, and regulatory authorities to design, implement, and monitor controlled explosions. The role frequently involves strict adherence to safety protocols, detailed documentation, and ongoing risk assessments to ensure compliance with local and federal regulations. While the environment can be high-pressure and requires the utmost precision, it also offers opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology and be part of multidisciplinary teams tackling complex engineering challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Explosive Engineer position, and why are they important?

To succeed as an Explosive Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical engineering, physics, and materials science, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree and specialized training in explosives. Familiarity with modeling software, blast simulation tools, and certifications such as ATF licensing or IMES compliance are often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help distinguish top professionals in this field. These competencies are critical for ensuring safety, complying with regulations, and delivering successful project outcomes involving hazardous materials.

Which engineers make $100,000?

Explosive engineers, also known as explosive specialists or blasters, can earn $100,000 or more annually, especially with experience, specialized skills, and certifications such as OSHA or DOT. Salaries vary based on industry, location, and project complexity, with those working in construction, mining, or demolition often reaching or exceeding this level.

What does an Explosive Engineer do?

An Explosive Engineer specializes in the safe design, handling, and use of explosives for various applications such as mining, demolition, and construction. They analyze blast requirements, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and oversee controlled detonations. Their work involves risk assessment, environmental considerations, and collaboration with other engineers to achieve project goals efficiently and safely.

What cities are hiring for Explosive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Explosive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Explosive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Explosive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Explosive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Explosive Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Explosive Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Explosive Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Explosive Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,864 per year, or $55.7 per hour.
Explosive Operations Engineer

Explosive Operations Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$74K - $100K/yr

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About the Role

Anduril is seeking an Explosives Operations Engineer to join our team in Costa Mesa, CA. Our Explosives Engineering & Operations group supports the safe development, testing, and fielding of explosive systems across multiple Anduril product lines, including Roadrunner, Bolt, Barracuda, Altius, and Copperhead. This team plays a critical role in helping Anduril deliver advanced defense capabilities by combining operational rigor, technical judgment, and uncompromising safety standards.
This is a strong fit for someone who wants to work at the intersection of hands-on explosives operations, safety, compliance, and mission execution. Rather than sitting narrowly in a design-only role, you will help enable explosive systems to move from development to test and field support by building safe, compliant, and executable operations in support of real products and real customer needs.
You will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, program teams, legal, finance, business development, and other cross-functional stakeholders to translate product and customer requirements into operational plans that support systems deployed across land, sea, and air domains. You should be excited by meaningful ownership, a broad cross-functional scope, and the opportunity to help strengthen a growing capability inside one of the most ambitious defense technology companies in the industry.

What You'll Do
  • Plan, organize, and execute explosives operations in support of current and future Anduril products.
  • Support hands-on explosives operations across lab, test, and field environments.
  • Support range safety activities and contribute to the overall safety and compliance posture of explosive operations.
  • Contribute to site laydowns, blast and fragmentation considerations, quantity-distance evaluations, and other mitigation strategies related to explosive operations.
  • Review and enforce explosive safety procedures and operating instructions, and ensure personnel understand and follow them.
  • Ensure operations are executed in accordance with applicable DoD, ATF/ATFE, DOT, OSHA, and internal safety requirements based on the operational context.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on explosives operations, handling, safety, and compliance.
  • Partner across legal, operations, finance, program leadership, business development, engineering, manufacturing, and EHS to support products involving explosives.
  • Oversee explosives storage, including inventory, security, inspections, and forecasting.
  • Improve explosives operations and training programs to meet regulatory, company, and customer requirements.
  • Train and instruct others on safe handling and operational execution.
  • Work effectively with Anduril customers, both USG and non-USG, and internal teams in austere environments.
  • The impact you'll have:
    • Enable safe, scalable deployment across Anduril's product portfolio. You will help move explosive capabilities from development to testing and field support by building and executing operations Ithat meet the speed, rigor, and safety demands of mission-critical programs.
    • Increase operational velocity without compromising compliance. You will apply sound judgment across DoD, ATF/ATFE, DOT, OSHA, and internal safety requirements to help Anduril test, field, and support explosive systems efficiently while protecting people, programs, and long-term business continuity.
    • Strengthen explosives operations as the business scales. You will improve procedures, training, storage practices, and operational readiness so teams can execute more independently, safely, and consistently across products, sites, and customer environments.
    • Translate mission needs into real-world execution. By partnering across technical and business teams, you will help turn complex customer and program requirements into executable operations that advance Anduril's mission and expand its ability to deliver differentiated defense technology to the field.
Required Qualifications
  • 4+ years of progressive experience in explosives operations, including practical experience with explosives safety, storage, transportation, and test or field execution.
  • Hands-on experience executing or supporting explosive operations in operational, test, range, or field environments.
  • Working knowledge of the regulatory environment surrounding explosives and energetic materials, including DoD explosives safety regulations, ATF/ATFE requirements, DOT, OSHA, and related compliance considerations. Candidates do not need rote memorization of regulations, but they should have experience applying them in real operating environments.
  • Experience developing or enforcing SOPs and supporting safe operating practices, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally in support of explosives-related activities across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and program teams.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%-50%, including domestic test sites and occasional international travel.
  • Must possess and maintain a U.S. security clearance (DoD Secret or DOE L).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Military EOD or equivalent explosives operations background. EOD experience is especially valued given the need for broad explosives understanding, operational maturity, and the ability to work independently on a small team.
  • Active U.S. Top Secret or DOE Q security clearance.
  • Experience with munitions field testing, explosives training, or leadership in explosive operations environments.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred, but hands-on explosives experience is more important than a specific degree path.
  • Experience operating in austere environments and engaging effectively with internal teams and external customers in the field.

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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