Fire Protection Engineer job description

Job brief

We are looking for a detailed-oriented Fire Protection Engineer to join our design-build team and lead the technical development of fire safety systems for large-scale commercial projects. In this role, you will be responsible for creating comprehensive fire protection schematics, conducting code compliance reviews, and providing on-site engineering oversight. If you are passionate about life-safety engineering and enjoy solving complex technical puzzles in a collaborative environment, we would love to hear from you. You will play a vital role in our mission to deliver safe, resilient structures that meet the highest industry standards.

What is a Fire Protection Engineer?

A Fire Protection Engineer is a specialized professional who applies scientific principles, engineering techniques, and physics to mitigate the risks associated with fire. By integrating advanced fire modeling, suppression system design, and life-safety strategy, a Fire Protection Engineer evaluates complex built environments to safeguard occupants and structural assets. This role is pivotal in ensuring that modern infrastructure meets strict international standards while balancing innovative design aesthetics with essential safety requirements.

What does a Fire Protection Engineer do?

A Fire Protection Engineer typically analyzes blueprints to design automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and smoke control sequences using tools like AutoCAD and Revit. They perform egress calculations to ensure safe evacuation routes and conduct hydraulic demand analysis to verify water supply reliability. Throughout the project lifecycle, they collaborate with architects, MEP engineers, and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to secure necessary permits and resolve site-specific safety challenges during construction.

Key responsibilities

• Design and calculate hydraulic demand for automatic sprinkler systems using software like AutoSPRINK or HydraCAD.
• Perform code compliance reviews for projects based on NFPA, IBC, and local jurisdictional fire safety requirements.
• Develop detailed smoke control and fire modeling simulations to validate safety performance for complex building geometries.
• Coordinate with architects and structural engineers to integrate fire alarm and suppression components into BIM models.
• Conduct field inspections and site surveys to evaluate existing fire protection systems and identify maintenance gaps.
• Prepare comprehensive fire protection reports, including life-safety narratives and hazardous material classification summaries.
• Review contractor submittals and shop drawings to ensure alignment with approved engineering specifications and design intent.
• Liaise with fire marshals and municipal building departments to negotiate code variances and facilitate permit approvals.

Requirements and skills

• Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain licensure through the NCEES Fire Protection Principles and Practice exam.
• Deep expertise in NFPA codes and standards, including NFPA 13, 14, 20, 72, and 101, as well as the International Building Code (IBC).
• Proficiency in advanced engineering design tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, and hydraulic calculation software (HydraCALC or similar).
• Experience performing egress analysis and fire/smoke modeling using software tools like Pathfinder or FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator).
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear technical directives for project stakeholders and field teams.
• Strong understanding of high-hazard occupancies, industrial fire mitigation, and specialized suppression systems (e.g., pre-action or foam).
• Effective technical writing skills for producing detailed engineering documentation, inspection reports, and project correspondence.

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