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Explosives Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Key Responsibilities Detonate and demolish hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics, and outdated explosives; neutralize ordnance including sea mines, torpedoes, depth charges, and improvised explosive ...

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Showing results 1-20

Explosives information

See Kentucky salary details

$19.1K

$21.8K

$23.9K

How much do explosives jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for explosives in Kentucky is $21,782.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21,300.00 and $22,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are people who work with explosives called?

People who work with explosives are typically called explosive technicians, bomb disposal experts, or ordnance specialists. They are trained to handle, assemble, and disarm explosive devices, often requiring specialized certifications and safety protocols. These roles are common in military, law enforcement, mining, and demolition industries.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Explosives-related jobs such as explosive technicians or demolition experts can pay around $4,000 per week, especially with experience and specialized skills. These roles often require certifications, safety training, and working in high-risk environments, but they may not always require a college degree.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Explosives position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an explosives role, you need strong knowledge of chemical properties, safety protocols, and physical handling, often backed by specialized training or certifications such as a federal explosives license or hazardous materials endorsement. Familiarity with detonation equipment, safety monitoring systems, and regulatory compliance platforms is essential. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are important soft skills for this position. These skills ensure safe handling, legal compliance, and the successful execution of explosive-related tasks in high-risk environments.

What is an Explosives job?

An explosives job involves handling, transporting, and using explosive materials for various applications such as construction, mining, demolition, or military operations. Professionals in this field must follow strict safety protocols and regulations to prevent accidents. Depending on the role, they may design explosive devices, conduct controlled detonations, or ensure compliance with legal requirements. Training and certification are often required to work safely with explosives.

What are some of the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in an explosives position?

Professionals in explosives roles are commonly tasked with safely transporting, storing, and handling explosive materials, as well as preparing and executing controlled detonations following strict protocols. Daily duties may include conducting site inspections, maintaining detailed records, and coordinating with engineers, safety personnel, and regulatory agencies. The role often requires careful teamwork to assess and mitigate risks, troubleshoot equipment, and ensure compliance with federal and local laws. These responsibilities help ensure all explosive operations are carried out safely, efficiently, and within regulatory guidelines.

What jobs deal with explosives?

Jobs that involve working with explosives include explosive technicians, demolition experts, and bomb disposal specialists. These roles require specialized training, safety certifications, and adherence to strict safety protocols due to the hazardous nature of handling explosive materials in construction, military, mining, or law enforcement environments.

How much do explosives workers make?

Explosives workers typically earn a median annual wage of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and specific industry. They often require specialized training and safety certifications due to the hazardous nature of their work, which can include handling and detonating explosives in construction, mining, or demolition environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Explosives jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Explosives jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Explosives jobs in Kentucky? For Explosives jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Explosives jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Explosives jobs in Kentucky are:
Infographic showing various Explosives job openings in Kentucky as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $21,782 per year, or $10.5 per hour.
Director of Explosives Manufacturing (Contingency)

Director of Explosives Manufacturing (Contingency)

KBR

Richmond, KY

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

97th of 357 rated engineering


Job description

Title:

Director of Explosives Manufacturing (Contingency)

Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR!

Program Summary

KBR's Chemical Plant & Munitions program supports critical national defense and government missions through the execution of complex manufacturing, construction, and commissioning efforts, into manufacturing operations. The program operates in highly regulated environments and requires close coordination between customers, suppliers, and internal teams to deliver safe, compliant, and highquality outcomes across the program lifecycle.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a Director of Explosives Manufacturing to oversee the energetics plant scale up and lead the execution of large, complex defense programs supporting chemical plant and munitions manufacturing operations, specifically in production of HMX, RDX, and other new & novel energetics. This role is accountable for program performance across scope, production schedule, cost, risk, and customer satisfaction. The Program Manager provides daytoday leadership to integrated program teams, interfaces directly with customers and stakeholders, and ensures program objectives are met in alignment with contractual and regulatory requirements. This position offers the opportunity to manage highvisibility programs with significant operational and financial impact.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex programs from initiation through completion
  • Manage program scope, schedule, budget, and risk to ensure contractual and financial objectives are achieved
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for programrelated communications with customers and key stakeholders
  • Develop and maintain detailed program plans, milestones, and performance metrics
  • Coordinate with R&D team to ensure proper business case for new product development efforts.
  • Along with Operations, develop detailed metrics and shop floor goals that will meet IBP/QBR forecasts.
  • Lead and mentor crossfunctional teams across engineering, operations, finance, and supply chain functions
  • Responsible for RBA process for existing products, firm, follow-on, etc.
  • Ensure proposed work fits in available production schedule.
  • Support development of BOE, along with Operations and Price Estimating.
  • Oversee program financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while ensuring compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements
  • Prepare and deliver program status reports and executivelevel briefings to internal and external stakeholders
  • Support proposal development, capture activities, and longrange program growth strategies
  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience managing energetic explosives manufacturing facilities/plants (Construction and/or Production Operations)
  • Experience managing rolling 12-18 month production schedule available for Pricing new business, internal financial forecasts, headcount forecasts, etc.
  • RBA process for existing products, firm, follow-on
  • Experience managing large, complex programs within the defense or government contracting environment
  • Demonstrated experience managing program budgets, schedules, and risk
  • Knowledge of defense industry regulations, including ITAR, DFARS, and FAR
  • Experience in Cost Account Management (CAM) or Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS)
  • Experience in Manufacturing with an understanding of Production processes, Quality Control, and Lean Manufacturing
  • Experience leading crossfunctional, matrixed teams
  • HMX and/or RDX Production Operations Experience
  • Authorization to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field
  • PMP or equivalent project management certification
  • Experience scaling up New Molecule Energetics
  • Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience
  • Experience supporting capture, proposal development, or program growth initiatives
  • Strong executivelevel communication and presentation experience

Travel may be required to support manufacturing sites, suppliers, and customers.

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits including a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, paid time off, flexible work schedules, and professional training and development opportunities.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.


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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998