ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Explosive Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsExplosive Engineer JobsExplosive Engineer Jobs in California

Explosive Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$114.3K

$189K

How much do explosive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 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 engineers make $200,000 a year?

Explosive engineers, such as senior or specialized professionals in the field, can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-risk environments like mining, construction, or defense. Salaries vary based on location, industry, and level of expertise, with some roles requiring specialized knowledge of explosives and safety protocols.

What engineers make $500,000?

Explosive engineers or specialized chemical engineers working in high-risk industries such as defense, aerospace, or mining can reach salaries around $500,000, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. These positions often require expertise in safety protocols, project management, and technical skills, and may involve working in hazardous environments or on large-scale projects.

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 does an explosives engineer do?

An explosives engineer designs, tests, and oversees the use of explosive materials for construction, mining, demolition, and military applications. They ensure safety protocols are followed and often hold certifications in handling hazardous materials. Their work involves precise calculations, understanding of chemistry, and adherence to safety standards.

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.

What is the salary of an explosive engineer?

The salary of an explosive engineer typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. Professionals in this field often require specialized training and certifications, and may work in construction, mining, or military environments with varying pay scales.

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 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,347 per year, or $55 per hour.
Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship)

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER, FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM (STARSHIP)
As a member of the Flight Termination System team, you will have the exciting opportunity to be responsible for the design of the Starship Flight Termination System hardware and explosives! You will demonstrate extreme ownership through deep understanding of the functionality, design, and requirements from concept to delivery of hardware. You will have ownership over the entire development process of Flight Termination System hardware including hardware design, analysis, production facility layout, electromechanical assembly, live ordnance assembly, environmental testing, and vehicle integration. As an extreme owner you will be responsible for interfacing with regulatory partners to implement, tailor, and challenge space industry regulatory requirements to achieve the best outcomes. Our development timelines are aggressive and the Flight Termination System is one of the few safety critical systems on the vehicle. The hardware that makes up the FTS requires extremely high levels of rigor and you will solve very challenging problems at the intersection of safety critical hardware and high explosives.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries
  • Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results
  • Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX's highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month
  • Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments
  • Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures
  • Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards
  • Achieve zero in-flight anomalies of flight termination system components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments.
  • Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or hands-on manufacturing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes
  • 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both
  • Experience with LSDYNA/ANSYS, BlastX, CHEETA, and/or Hydrocode
  • Master's degree or 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering
  • Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems
  • Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams
  • Hands-on experience with high voltage, electronics, or explosives
  • Leadership experience on a project or research team
  • Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.)
  • Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, actuators, motors, or explosives
  • Understanding of fundamental principles of explosives, solid mechanics, and dynamics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
  • Must be willing to handle and test high explosive devices
  • Must be willing and able to obtain ATF explosives clearance
  • Must be willing to travel (<25%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Pay range:
Sr. Mechanical Engineer: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply