1

Senior Explosive Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Process Engineer

Graham, KY · On-site

$89K - $115K/yr

Who We Are Dyno Nobel is a global leader in commercial explosives, manufacturing and blasting ... What You'll Do: As a Senior Process Engineer, you will be accountable for process engineering ...

Senior Process Engineer

Graham, KY · On-site

$89K - $115K/yr

Who We Are Dyno Nobel is a global leader in commercial explosives, manufacturing and blasting ... What You'll Do: As a Senior Process Engineer, you will be accountable for process engineering ...

Senior Process Engineer

Richland, WA · On-site

$108K - $140K/yr

UDR is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Process Engineer opportunity in Richland, WA ... Have experience with energetics or explosives system design. (synthesis, handling, mixing, and ...

Senior Process Engineer

Richland, WA · On-site

$108K - $140K/yr

UDR is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Process Engineer opportunity in Richland, WA ... Have experience with energetics or explosives system design. (synthesis, handling, mixing, and ...

MSG is seeking a Senior Landfill Engineer to join our growing environmental and solid waste team ... Support groundwater monitoring, explosive gas monitoring, stormwater management, and erosion ...

You will be the Senior Process Safety Engineer for the Environmental Safety and Health team. Our ... Desired skills • Background working knowledge of Explosive Safety and Engineering practices. • ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Explosive Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior explosive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior explosive engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Explosive Engineers when managing safety protocols on complex projects?

Senior Explosive Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing project deadlines with rigorous safety requirements. Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams can be demanding, especially on large or high-risk projects. Maintaining up-to-date documentation, conducting thorough risk assessments, and leading safety briefings are critical responsibilities. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential to navigate unexpected issues and keep all stakeholders informed and safe.

What is the difference between Senior Explosive Engineer vs Explosive Technician?

AspectSenior Explosive EngineerExplosive Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in explosives safetyTechnical certifications, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, supervision in industrial or military settingsHandling, loading, and testing explosives in controlled environments
Industry UsageConstruction, mining, defense projectsDemolition, safety testing, field operations

While both roles involve explosives, Senior Explosive Engineers focus on design, safety protocols, and supervision, whereas Explosive Technicians handle hands-on tasks like loading and testing explosives. The senior role requires advanced education and certifications, with a broader scope of responsibilities in planning and oversight.

What are Senior Explosive Engineers?

Senior Explosive Engineers are highly trained professionals who specialize in the safe design, handling, and application of explosives for various industries such as construction, mining, demolition, and defense. They are responsible for planning and overseeing explosive operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and mitigating risks associated with explosive materials. Their expertise is crucial in tasks like controlled demolitions, blasting, and research on new explosive technologies. In addition to technical knowledge, they must possess strong analytical and leadership skills to manage teams and projects safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Explosive Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Explosive Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of explosives engineering, safety regulations, blast design, and a relevant degree, often supported by years of field experience. Familiarity with blast modeling software, hazard analysis tools, and certifications such as ATF or IME credentials are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing complex projects and ensuring team safety. These competencies are essential to design safe, effective blasting solutions while minimizing risks and adhering to strict regulatory standards.
More about Senior Explosive Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Explosive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Explosive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Explosive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Explosive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Explosive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Explosive Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Explosive Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Explosive Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Explosive Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Explosives and Shock Physics Engineer

Explosives and Shock Physics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Mechanical Systems Department (MSD) offers a diverse range of capabilities that enable and support the effective implementation of technical and programmatic mission assurance activities on space systems, launch systems, and related systems. MSD staff support all program phases beginning with pre-contract evaluations, design and development activities followed by build, test, and pedigree review, launch, initialization, and operations events. MSD is the VSD source of expertise in moving mechanical assemblies (MMAs), ordnance-driven devices, other explosives applications and high-velocity impact analysis, separation systems and analyses, ball bearings, gears, valves, component mass properties, related technologies, and exploitation of our knowledge and tools in solving non-traditional and emerging problems. We are looking for an Explosives and Shock Physics Engineer (Engineering Specialist/Sr. Engineering Specialist - Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering).

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, California.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Work closely with program offices, management, and government customers to resolve technical issues and ensure project success

  • Conduct engineering analysis, including hydrocode modeling and simulation, of explosively driven devices and hypervelocity impact scenarios

  • Participate in the development/refinement of analysis tools and techniques, including hydrocode analysis methodologies.

  • Evaluate separation and deployment systems and explosive devices for launch vehicle, spacecraft, and missile programs

  • Evaluate micrometeoroid and high velocity impact shielding designs for spacecraft

  • Prepare written reports and provide briefings to customers and other stakeholders

  • Occasionally travel to contractor sites to attend design reviews and witness hardware assembly and testing

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

  • Master's degree in physical sciences or engineering

  • 6 or more years of applicable professional and/or academic experience in explosives, shock physics, explosive devices, separation and deployment systems, or other aerospace systems-related field

  • Understanding of the physics of shock and impact, ballistic penetration, dynamic behavior of materials, damage, and fracture

  • Experience in the use of explicit transient hydrocode and finite element analysis tools (e.g., CTH, LS-DYNA)

  • Understanding properties of energetic materials, detonation, deflagration, ignition methods, sensitivity, combustion, thermochemistry

  • Willing to travel approximately 10% (as required)

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for a Sr. Engineering Specialist are:

  • 10 or more years of applicable professional and/or academic experience in explosives, shock physics, explosive devices, separation and deployment systems, or other aerospace systems-related field

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • PhD degree in a physical sciences or engineering including relevant coursework (e.g., conservation laws, continuum mechanics

  • Experience with the design, integration, and testing related to explosive/pyrotechnic devices and systems typical of launch vehicles, spacecraft, and missile systems

  • Knowledge of industry/government standards AIAA-S-113, RCC 319, MIL-DTL-23659, and SMC-S-016

  • Active TS/SCI security clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$117,300.00 - $226,900.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.