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Explosive Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CDL Equipment Operator

Marquette, MI

$18.50 - $25.25/hr

Who We Are Dyno Nobel is a global leader in commercial explosives, manufacturing and blasting ... What You'll Do As the Equipment Operator, you will be a part of the team operating, driving and ...

Who We Are Dyno Nobel is a global leader in commercial explosives, manufacturing and blasting ... What You'll Do As the Equipment Operator, you will be a part of the team operating, driving and ...

Emulsion Operator

Mcarthur, OH · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Fill out required documentation and follow Standard Operating Procedures. * Maintain a clean ... Must meet all state and federal explosive laws and qualify as an atf explosive processor * 1+ years ...

Operator - Booster

Mcarthur, OH

$14 - $18.75/hr

Fill out required documentation and follow Standard Operating Procedures. * Maintain a clean ... Must meet all state and federal explosive laws and qualify as an atf explosive processor * 1+ years ...

Drill Operator

Victorville, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

... the operator in the safe operation of the drill rig and drill truck. The pay for this role is $25 ... explosives, manufacturing and blasting technology, delivering innovative solutions to the mining ...

Production Operator

Van Wyck, SC · On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

Who We Are Dyno Nobel is a global leader in commercial explosives, manufacturing and blasting ... operating equipment in order to protect personal safety and safety of others. Other duties will ...

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Explosive Operator information

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$10

$23

$37

How much do explosive operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for explosive operator in the United States is $23.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Explosive Operators?

Explosive Operators are skilled workers responsible for handling, preparing, and detonating explosives used in various industries, such as mining, construction, demolition, and military applications. They follow strict safety protocols to ensure the safe storage, transportation, and use of explosive materials. Their duties often include assembling charges, setting up blasting equipment, and monitoring blasts to minimize risks to people, property, and the environment. Extensive training and adherence to legal regulations are essential requirements for this job. Explosive Operators must also be detail-oriented and capable of working in high-pressure, potentially hazardous situations.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

Explosive operators typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are rare and usually found in executive, investment, or specialized medical roles. High-paying jobs often require advanced skills, certifications, or significant experience, and salaries above this level are uncommon outside of executive or entrepreneurial positions.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Explosive operators in specialized industries such as mining, demolition, or construction can sometimes earn around $2,000 per day, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and working in remote or high-risk environments. These roles often require specialized training, safety certifications, and adherence to strict regulations, and pay varies based on project scope and location.

What is the difference between Explosive Operator vs Blasting Technician?

AspectExplosive OperatorBlasting Technician
Required CertificationsExplosive License, Safety TrainingExplosive License, Safety Training
Work EnvironmentConstruction, Mining, Demolition sitesMining, Quarrying, Construction sites
Employer & Industry UsageMining companies, construction firmsMining companies, quarry operators
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Explosive Operators and Blasting Technicians both handle explosives in construction and mining environments, requiring similar certifications and safety training. While Explosive Operators often oversee the entire blasting process, Blasting Technicians typically assist with setup and monitoring. Both roles are essential for safe and effective blasting operations within the industry.

What are some common challenges faced by Explosive Operators and how are they addressed in the workplace?

Explosive Operators often face challenges related to maintaining strict safety protocols, managing stress in high-risk environments, and ensuring precise handling of materials. To address these challenges, workplaces provide thorough safety training, enforce rigorous procedural checklists, and encourage open communication within tightly coordinated teams. Regular drills, mental health support, and ongoing education are also common practices to help operators stay prepared and confident while minimizing risks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Explosive Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Explosive Operator, you need a solid understanding of explosives handling, safety regulations, and hazardous materials protocols, often supported by specialized training or certification. Familiarity with detonation equipment, safety gear, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Keen attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are critical soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure the safe, precise, and efficient handling of explosives, minimizing risks to people and property.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

Explosive operators typically do not earn $300,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive, medical, legal, or specialized technical roles. Certain high-level positions in industries like finance, law, or executive management can reach or exceed this level, often requiring advanced education, extensive experience, and certifications. Salary levels vary widely based on industry, location, and experience.

What jobs make $10,000 a month without a degree?

Explosive operators can earn around $10,000 or more per month, especially with experience, specialized skills, and certifications. These roles often involve high-risk environments, such as construction, demolition, or mining, and may require safety training and licensing. Income varies based on location, employer, and project complexity.
More about Explosive Operator jobs
What states have the most Explosive Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Explosive Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Explosive Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 59% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,930 per year, or $23 per hour.
Explosive Operations Engineer

Explosive Operations Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$74K - $100K/yr

Other

Posted 18 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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