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Explosive Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LLNL

Product Engineer - High Explosives PRT

Livermore, CA · On-site

$9.7K/wk

Knowledge of design applications employing high explosive materials. * Working knowledge of quality engineering and/or quality assurance and control. * Experience in definition/specification releases ...

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Explosive Engineer information

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$37.5K

$114.3K

$189K

How much do explosive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for explosive engineer in California is $114,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an explosive engineer?

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.

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 most commonly searched types of Explosive Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Explosive Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Explosive Engineer jobs in California?

For Explosive Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Explosive Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Explosive Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Explosive Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Explosive Engineer job openings:

Explosive Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Explosive Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,347 per year, or $55 per hour.

Explosives System Safety Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,501 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The Explosive Engineering & Operations Team is responsible for the design and testing of complex munitions systems and transition them from prototype to production. The team is working exciting new ordnance technology across multiple platforms. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

  • Lead Anduril's efforts to achieve munition, warhead, and fuzing certification by chaperoning programs through the relevant review entities (WSERB, FISTRP, SSSTRP) and creating positive and enduring relationships with the review entities. 
  • Create, review, manage, and present critical documentation packages internally and to customers and fuze/safety boards. 
  • Engage with technical and business line teams and individuals to ensure safety/certification information is accurate and thorough. 
  • Plan and document testing, analysis, and review milestones to ensure we are taking a proactive approach and minimizing the timeline to go through the review process. 
  • Document root cause and corrective actions that are relevant to the review process. 
  • Oversee updates to project deliverables including requirements documentation, change control, traceability, and reliability matrices. 
  • Create frameworks and establish precedent for government reviews and system certifications to aid future programs. 
  • Flow down similar guidance and manage as needed key vendors (ESAD, warhead, etc.) where needed. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • BS or higher degree in mechanical, systems, aerospace, or another engineering discipline. 
  • 5+ work experience in design, safety, certification, and systems engineering of an ordnance systems. 
  • Warhead/fuze review board experience. 
  • Munitions system certification or qualification experience. 
  • Deep technical familiarity and understanding of MIL-STD-882E, MIL-STD-1316, and MIL-STD-1901. 
  • Experience in program management, customer and vendor management, and managing schedules and budgets. 
  • Ability to travel as required for testing and customer meetings (surges up to 25%). 
  • Experience preparing formal documentation (i.e. specifications, test procedures, technical reports, etc.) 
  • Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills; proven ability to gather requirements and collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, product management, and customer support. 
  • Passion for defending the United States and her allies 
  • Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Active U.S. security clearance (DoD Secret or Top-Secret or DOE L or Q). 
  • Prior experience qualifying ordnance/munitions through all branches of the DoW. 
  • Expert experience in program management, customer and vendor management, and managing schedules and budgets. 
  • Established relationships with key members of the DoW System Safety qualification boards.  
  • Experience managing vendors providing services in support of Safety qualifications. 

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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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