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Pyrotechnic Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Pyrotechnic Engineer information

See California salary details

$35.3K

$102.9K

$169.9K

How much do pyrotechnic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for pyrotechnic engineer in California is $102,924.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,890.00 and $125,830.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior software engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and working in high-paying industries or leadership positions.

What does a typical work environment look like for a Pyrotechnic Engineer?

Pyrotechnic Engineers often split their time between laboratory settings, outdoor testing facilities, and the office for design and planning tasks. They typically work within multidisciplinary teams that may include fellow engineers, safety specialists, and event organizers to ensure displays meet both creative and regulatory standards. The role can involve site visits, hands-on setup, and supervising live demonstrations, especially during public performances or product testing. Flexibility and rigorous attention to safety procedures are key, as projects may require evening or weekend work to accommodate event schedules.

How much does a pyrotechnic engineer make?

Pyrotechnic engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills, certifications, and working in specialized environments can lead to higher compensation.

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

To thrive as a Pyrotechnic Engineer, you need a solid background in chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, often demonstrated by a relevant degree and experience with explosive materials. Familiarity with specialized simulation software, safety management systems, and compliance certifications such as a Hazardous Materials Handling License is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for designing safe, innovative pyrotechnic displays while ensuring regulatory compliance and minimizing risks.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and work in high-demand industries or executive-level responsibilities.

What does a pyrotechnic engineer do?

A pyrotechnic engineer designs, develops, and tests explosive devices and special effects involving fireworks, explosions, and pyrotechnics for entertainment, military, or industrial applications. They ensure safety standards are met and often work with chemicals, engineering principles, and specialized tools in controlled environments. Certification and knowledge of regulations are important in this field.

What is a Pyrotechnic Engineer job?

A Pyrotechnic Engineer designs, tests, and oversees the production of fireworks, explosives, and other pyrotechnic devices for entertainment, military, or industrial applications. They apply principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to ensure safety, performance, and regulatory compliance. Their work involves developing formulations, conducting safety tests, and troubleshooting performance issues.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pyrotechnic Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Pyrotechnic Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Pyrotechnic Engineer jobs in California? For Pyrotechnic Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Pyrotechnic Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,924 per year, or $49.5 per hour.
Senior Engineer - Electrical Fuze & Initiation Systems

Senior Engineer - Electrical Fuze & Initiation Systems

Raytheon

Los Angeles, CA

$115K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-06-22

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-928 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ MULTI PURPOSE FAC 928

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. 

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

The Energetics and Propulsion Department is an engineering organization in the Hardware Engineering Directorate. This Department is responsible for the full spectrum of warhead, fuzing, and propulsion designs/technology, including power systems, ignition, and all other weapon initiation safety systems technology. The department is seeking to hire a Senior Engineer – Fuze & Initiation Systems.

The Senior Engineer – Electrical Fuze & Initiation Systems role is in Tucson, AZ and is an onsite position.

What You Will Do

  • Apply or develop highly advanced technologies, scientific principles, theories, and concepts to the systems integration of fuzing, ignition, and safety devices for integration into missile systems and space vehicles
  • Support the Systems Safety Engineering Organization
  • Interface with the Customer to identify user needs
  • Work with customers, subcontractors and suppliers to resolve engineering issues, develop new products and hold technical reviews
  • Develop initial fuze and initiation systems architectures and top-level designs
  • Design, analyze, test, and evaluate fuze and initiation systems
  • Develop Statements of Work (SOWs)
  • Develop Critical Item Development Specifications (CIDS) and electrical logic and interface requirements
  • Support fact-finding and contract negotiations
  • Ensure technical rigor and depth of all deliverables
  • Develop and present technical fuzing designs and updates to the Department of Defense (DoD) safety review boards
  • Will travel periodically to government and subcontractor facilities

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum of five (5) years of prior relevant experience. An Advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of relevant experience
  • A minimum of five (5) years of experience in development of electronic circuit design from conceptual design through final test/analysis and assembly, etc., or electronic safe and arm device development experience
  • Project Management as applied to team interaction and deliverables
  • Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Advanced degree
  • Eight (8) or more years of directly related experience in fuzing and initiation systems devices and their applications
  • Experience with safety devices design, manufacturing, testing, safety certification and/or compliance
  • Experience performing electrical stress analysis, electrical thermal analysis, environment survivability assessment
  • Ability to analyze analog, digital, mixed signal and power conversion circuits using simulation and computational skills
  • Experience in developing fuzing, safe & arm products that meet MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-1901, and MIL-STD-464
  • Working knowledge of JOTP-051, 052, 053
  • Experience with energetic and pyrotechnic initiators, exploding foil deflagrating initiators (EFDI), and Low energy exploding foil initiators (LEEFI) and their operation
  • Technical writing skills in the area of detailed design requirements, test requirements, statements of work, white paper and technical presentations
  • Project engineering skills and experience using Earned Value Management System
  • Demonstrated success as a proposal/cost account manager as well as project/team leader
  • Supplier collaboration experience and oversight generating specifications and statements of work (SOW)
  • Working knowledge or experience with either missile design or development, production support and integration
  • Experience with DoD customers and/or associated contractor executives and technical leadership
  • Active Secret or Top Secret Clearance (Department of Defense)

Learn More & Apply Now

RTX Corporation is an Aerospace and Defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 185,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

What We Offer

Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the superior benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance, and child/adult backup care.

Employee Referral Award Eligibility: This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award.

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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