Manager, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)

Work Arrangement

Onsite work required. Travel required up to 25% of time within and outside the United States required. Including potential for multi-week deployment as needed.

 

Job Overview

The Manager, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) is responsible for the leadership, management, and execution of all EOD activities supporting AEVEX Tactical Systems. This position serves as the primary subject matter expert for explosive operations, energetic material integration, munitions production, explosive testing, Electronic Safe and Arm Devices/Electronic Safe Arm & Fire support, and operational EOD activities across multiple company programs.

The Manager, EOD provides direct oversight of EOD personnel, production operations, and explosive safety programs. This position is required to work across multiple business functions, for example Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, and others, to ensure mission success. This role is responsible for balancing operational requirements, production schedules, explosive safety compliance, and customer deliverables across all Tactical Systems programs requiring energetic support.

 

Essential Functions

Leadership & Program Integration

• Lead and manage all EOD personnel supporting Tactical Systems programs.
• Manage production operations involving energetic materials and explosive assemblies.
• Supervise and schedule explosive handling, assembly, integration, and quality assurance and control activities associated with munitions production.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and coordinate EOD support across multiple programs and departments.
• Serve as the primary liaison between EOD operations and Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Logistics, Flight Test, and Operations organizations.
• Provide EOD expertise for operational deployments and customer support activities.
• Participate in program planning, design reviews, production readiness reviews, safety review boards, and customer engagements involving energetic systems.
• Coordinate staffing, training, qualifications, and deployment readiness of EOD personnel.
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, risk assessments, and program planning activities requiring explosive subject matter expertise.
• Ensure EOD resources are aligned with production demand, testing schedules, and operational commitments.
• Coordinate production schedules, material availability, staffing requirements, and facility utilization to meet customer demand.
• Support production scaling efforts, process improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor production performance, efficiency, throughput, and operational readiness.

 

Explosive Operations & Safety Management

• Provide technical oversight for the handling, storage, transportation, accountability, and disposition of explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, and energetic devices.
• Maintain compliance with DoD, Federal, State, and company explosive safety requirements.
• Serve as the lead technical authority for explosive safety planning, risk mitigation, and hazard analysis.
• Develop, review, and approve explosive operating procedures, work instructions, and safety documentation.
• Coordinate explosive inventories, magazine operations, inspections, audits, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Prepare test plans and lead explosive testing activities including planning, execution, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Support incident investigations, corrective actions, and safety improvement initiatives.

 

Energetic Systems Integration

• Oversee Electronic Safe and Arm Device and Electronic Safe Arm & Fire integration activities supporting development, production, and operational programs.
• Provide technical guidance on firing systems, energetic architectures, initiation systems, and explosive train design considerations.
• Support hazard analyses, system safety assessments, and energetic risk evaluations.
• Review engineering drawings, technical data packages, schematics, and test documentation related to energetic systems.
• Develop render-safe procedures, emergency response plans, and operational safety guidance for explosive platforms

• Perform other duties as required.

 

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

 

Qualifications            

• Strong knowledge of explosive safety regulations, energetic materials, munitions production, and test operations.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state laws regarding safety regulations and OSHA.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office applications
• Demonstrates strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization with strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
  
• Extensive knowledge of composition and characteristics of United States and foreign conventional, chemical, biological, improvised, and nuclear ordnance

 

Leadership Competencies

• Directs and provides expert knowledge in the day-to-day function of the department.
• Identifies, recruits, and retains top-notch talent.
• Champions AEVEX’s culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
• Coaches, mentors, engage and develop the team, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and learning opportunities.
• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.
• Maintains transparent communication. Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication.
• Provides oversight and direction to the employees in accordance with AEVEX’s policies and procedures.

 

Education / Certifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Military EOD certification.

 

Experience

• 10+ years of EOD experience supporting military, government, or defense industry operations.
• 2+ years of leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading personnel and managing explosive operations.
• Prior experience supporting UAS, loitering munition, or one-way attack platform development programs preferred.
• Experience managing explosive production facilities and energetic manufacturing operations preferred.
• Experience supporting Electronic Safe and Arm Devices/Electronic Safe Arm & Fire integration and qualification efforts preferred. Experience supporting Electronic Safe and Arm Devices/Electronic Safe Arm & Fire integration and qualification efforts preferred.
• Experience supporting developmental flight test programs and explosive test ranges preferred.
• Experience supporting SOF, USSOCOM, or Special Operations programs preferred.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and supporting multiple programs simultaneously preferred.

 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

• Frequently required to stand for extended periods of time
• Frequently required repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and/or fingers

For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

 

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

 

 

About AEVEX 

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

 

 

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.