Designer- Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems

About the role

We are seeking an experienced ERCES Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate, code-compliant Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) designs, shop drawings, permit drawings, as-built drawings, RF calculations, reports, and related project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Reading and interpreting construction documents, including drawings, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Actively participating in pre-planning the overall ERCES and low-voltage system design.
• Designing and laying out ERCES networks for complex buildings using CAD-based and RF predictive software.
• Preparing ERCES shop drawings, permit-level drawings, design drawings, as-built drawings, and record drawings.
• Preparing ERCES design documentation, including riser diagrams, antenna and headend locations, link budgets, battery calculations, fire alarm interface details, and other required design information.
• Preparing submittal packages, including drawings, RF calculations, predictive heat maps, product data sheets, equipment cut sheets, and supporting documentation.
• Designing systems in accordance with NFPA 1221/1225, IFC 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and other applicable codes and standards.
• Designing advanced communication enhancement systems, including high-rise headend integration, fiber-fed remotes, NEMA enclosure specifications, and dedicated monitoring interfaces.
• Reviewing architectural, electrical, mechanical, and other trade drawings to coordinate ERCES design requirements (e.g., dedicated conduit pathways, 2-hour fire-rated enclosures).
• Identifying design conflicts, scope gaps, code concerns, constructability issues, and field coordination concerns.
• Identifying corrective measures, including design solutions, revisions, alternate antenna layouts, and recommended system modifications.
• Conducting technical research and providing documentation related to code requirements, alternative methods, product applications, and design solutions.
• Responding to plan check comments, AHJ comments, engineering comments, customer comments, and internal review comments.
• Coinciding with plan status with plan checkers, AHJs, general contractors, engineers, consultants, inspectors, project managers, and field teams.
• Supporting project managers, estimators, field technicians, and service teams with technical RF information as needed.
• Coordinating with field commissioners to ensure design intent, frequency band plans, donor signal strength, and grid testing parameters are clearly documented and understood.
• Coordinating with field teams to address installation questions, field conflicts, RFI responses, design revisions, as-built updates, and closeout requirements.
• Maintaining organized design records, drawing files, submittals, calculations, correspondence, plan check comments, RFIs, revisions, and project documentation.
• Maintaining current knowledge of ERCES codes, AHJ expectations, manufacturer requirements, and company design standards.

Qualifications

• Possess a working knowledge of radio frequency (RF) systems, specifically ERCES, BDA, and DAS architectures.
• Demonstrate competency in advanced ERCES design, including donor antenna pathing, link budgets, coaxial/fiber routing, splitter/tapper calculations, and fire alarm monitoring integration.
• Possess proficient knowledge of current codes and standards, including NFPA 1221, NFPA 1225, IFC Section 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, and FCC regulations.
• Be professionally licensed or certified in the area of expertise, such as an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certification, or possess equivalent industry experience.
• Be proficient in AutoCAD and iBwave to ensure efficient and accurate production of shop drawings, heat maps, permit drawings, design drawings, as-built drawings, and record documents.
• Be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, and related design/document management software.
• Have experience preparing ERCES submittal packages, permit drawings, equipment data sheets, link budgets, battery calculations, RF predictive heat maps, riser diagrams, antenna/device layouts, and related design documentation.
• Have experience reading and interpreting construction drawings, electrical drawings, architectural drawings, mechanical drawings, reflected ceiling plans, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Have good communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Be able to communicate professionally with project managers, estimators, field technicians, commissioners, general contractors, engineers, consultants, clients, inspectors, plan checkers, and AHJs.
• Be able to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, depending on project size, complexity, scope, deadlines, and permitting requirements.