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Explosive Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Explosive Operations Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$74.60K - $100.80K/yr

Working knowledge of the regulatory environment surrounding explosives and energetic materials, including DoD explosives safety regulations, ATF/ATFE requirements, DOT, OSHA, and related compliance ...

Explosive ResearchChemist

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$16 - $21.50/hr

What company will I be working for?You will be working for a national security services firm ... Support the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory in the areas of explosive research, testing, and ...

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Explosive Worker information

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How much do explosive worker jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for explosive worker in the United States is $18.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Explosive Worker, you need in-depth knowledge of handling, storing, and disposing of explosives, typically supported by specialized training and relevant certifications. Familiarity with safety protocols, detonating equipment, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work calmly under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial to ensure safety, prevent accidents, and maintain compliance with strict industry regulations.

What safety protocols do Explosive Workers typically follow during daily operations?

Explosive Workers adhere to strict safety protocols, including regular equipment checks, wearing specialized protective gear, and following detailed handling and storage procedures for explosive materials. They must participate in safety briefings before each shift and maintain clear communication with their team to ensure everyone is aware of the day's tasks and potential hazards. Adherence to federal and local regulations is critical, as is completing extensive safety training and certifications. These measures are essential for minimizing risks and ensuring a safe work environment.

What are Explosive Workers?

Explosive workers are professionals who handle, assemble, and detonate explosives for a variety of purposes, such as construction, demolition, mining, or manufacturing fireworks and ammunition. Their responsibilities include preparing explosive charges, following strict safety procedures, and ensuring compliance with regulations. These workers must be highly trained to minimize risks and often work closely with engineers and safety officials to carry out controlled explosions safely.

What is the difference between Explosive Worker vs Blaster?

AspectExplosive WorkerBlaster
CertificationsExplosive Worker Certification, OSHA safety trainingBlaster Certification, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, mining, demolitionMining, quarrying, construction
Job RoleHandling, preparing, and placing explosivesDesigning, supervising, and executing blasting operations

Explosive Workers typically handle the preparation and placement of explosives, focusing on safety and compliance. Blasters often oversee the entire blasting process, including planning and supervision. While both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, Blasters usually have additional responsibilities in planning and management.

More about Explosive Worker jobs
What states have the most Explosive Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Explosive Worker jobs include:
Infographic showing various Explosive Worker job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,955 per year, or $18.7 per hour.
Explosive Operations Engineer

Explosive Operations Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$74.60K - $100.80K/yr

Other

Posted 19 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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