Blaster Lead – McMurdo Station

About the role

Amentum is hiring a Blaster Lead to oversee all blasting operations in and around McMurdo Station, providing planning and leadership to keep blasting efficient and productive. The role leads small teams under the guidance of the Supervisor within Fleet Operations and coordinates with ASC departments to support the United States Antarctic Program.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the safe storage, handling and use of commercial-grade explosives for science, construction and maintenance projects, and advise NSF-sponsored scientists when required.
• Maintain exclusive authority over the explosives cache, keeping it safely distanced, marked and secured, and inspect it regularly against manufacturer and government regulations.
• Keep accurate inventory records, dispose of dated explosives and provide estimates and cost analysis for future blast and drill needs.
• Measure, wire and detonate explosives following IME and BATF procedures, and perform blast design including charge size, placement, timing and composition.
• Act as blaster-in-charge at blast sites, supervise explosives-related work and limit access to authorized personnel.
• Lead small teams of equipment operators and others, coordinate with other HEO Leads and Foremen, and ensure safe, efficient use of equipment.
• Perform daily equipment checks, report issues to the Vehicle Maintenance Facility, train team members on equipment manuals and safety, and write work summaries.
• Operate and supervise light vehicles and heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, graders, backhoes, cranes and snow-moving equipment.
• Comply with ASC environmental health, safety and quality requirements, and perform physical work including heavy lifting, climbing and outdoor work in extreme cold.

Required profile

• High school diploma or GED; minimum 5 years' experience as a certified Explosives Handler/Blaster in construction-related blasting; evidence of a previous license or certification preferred.
• One year of experience as an equipment operator or driller; college degree preferred.
• Preferred: Class A CDL license, experience with permafrost and snow blasting, and prior cold-climate equipment operations.
• Ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods, with medical, dental, drug screening, background check and US citizenship (required for facility credentials).
• Physical ability to lift heavy loads, climb in and out of equipment and work outdoors in extreme cold.

Required skills

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office.
• General knowledge of project schedules and planning.
• Preferred: experience in austere, equipment- and resource-limited environments.