Explosive Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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. You will support explosive systems as they move from development to test and field support by executing safe, compliant operations in support of real products and real customer needs. 

You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, program teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support operational plans for systems deployed across land, sea, and air domains. You should be excited by hands-on work, learning opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a growing capability inside one of the most ambitious defense technology companies in the industry.

• Execute explosives operations in support of current and future Anduril products.
• Conduct 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.
• Assist with site laydowns, blast and fragmentation considerations, quantity-distance evaluations, and other mitigation strategies related to explosive operations.
• Follow explosive safety procedures and operating instructions, and ensure personnel understand and comply with them.
• Execute operations in accordance with applicable DoD, ATF/ATFE, DOT, OSHA, and internal safety requirements based on the operational context.
• Provide subject matter support on explosives operations, handling, safety, and compliance.
• Collaborate with legal, operations, program leadership, engineering, manufacturing, and EHS to support products involving explosives.
• Support explosives storage, including inventory, security, and inspections.
• Contribute to explosives operations and training programs to meet regulatory, company, and customer requirements.
• Train 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:
  • Support safe deployment across Anduril's product portfolio. You will help execute explosive operations from development to testing and field support by following established procedures and safety standards for mission-critical programs.
  • Contribute to operational velocity while maintaining compliance. You will apply sound judgment and follow DoD, ATF/ATFE, DOT, OSHA, and internal safety requirements to help Anduril test, field, and support explosive systems safely and efficiently.
  • Help strengthen explosives operations as the business scales. You will support procedures, training, storage practices, and operational readiness to ensure consistent and safe execution across products and sites.
  • Execute mission-critical operations. By partnering with technical and operational teams, you will help execute operations that advance Anduril's mission and deliver differentiated defense technology to the field.

• 3+ years of 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.
• Familiarity with the regulatory environment surrounding explosives and energetic materials, including DoD explosives safety regulations, ATF/ATFE requirements, DOT, OSHA, and related compliance considerations. Candidates should have exposure to applying regulations in real operating environments.
• Experience following or supporting SOPs and safe operating practices.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (DoD Secret or DOE L).
• In this role, you will be subject to pre-employment and randomized substance screening, as required by the Company.

• Military EOD or equivalent explosives operations background. EOD experience is especially valued given the need for broad explosives understanding and operational maturity.
• Active U.S. Top Secret or DOE Q security clearance.
• Experience with munitions field testing, explosives training, or supporting 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.