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Firework display

Munitions Explosives Technician

Specialising in the use of explosives in a range of settings - from fireworks to mining

How this role makes a difference

Ordnance munitions explosives (OME) are used in many industries, including mining and quarrying, pyrotechnics (e.g. fireworks), and within the film industry for special effects. They are not unique to the Armed Forces.

All OME have their own features and are designed to behave in a predictable, controlled way. That’s so the people using them know what the explosive’s impact will be. You could be the technician that makes sure ordnance munitions explosives are fit for purpose and behave as expected.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Understanding explosives compositions and devices
  • Following safe, approved systems of work
  • Setting up processing areas and equipment
  • Checking inventory
  • Working with a team to test and develop products
  • Disposing of OME correctly
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Decisive
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in science and learning how things work.

An enjoyment of being outdoors.

A strong sense of responsibility.

The ability to help other people understand how things are done.

The maturity to assess challenges from all angles and be decisive about the right actions to take.

Confidence to try new tools and technology and create things on a computer.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- science

- sports, adventures and outdoors

- building, making and fixing things

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

Your career opportunities will depend on the industry you choose. For example, if you join the Armed Forces as an OME technician, there will be a structured career path rising through the ranks.

In mining and quarrying, you may become a team leader, designing the strategies for how OME are used. If you choose the film industry, you could become a freelancer who moves between different film sets, advising on OME and their safe use.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You’ll become an expert in explosives compositions and devices with the skill to advise others on the OME they’re using. You could work in the defence industry, testing, researching and developing new products. Or you could put your skills to use for entertainment, being a technician that helps to deliver a complex firework display or a special effect for an action movie.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Ammunition Technician
OME Manufacturing Technician
Pyrotechnics Technician
Shot Firer
Special Effects Technician
Trials and Research Technician
Weapons Technician
Storage and Transport Coordinator

Discover
technicians who
do this role

Ordnance Munitions Explosives Technician

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Munitions Explosives Technician

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