Fire Protection Engineer

At Strategic Mission Critical, we specialize in engineering mission-critical facilities with precision and expertise. Our leadership team brings decades of experience, delivering robust, reliable solutions to data center providers worldwide. As demand for high-performance infrastructure grows—driven by AI and digital expansion—we lead through technical rigor and operational excellence. We seek leaders who elevate people, process, and performance to join our team.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Fire Protection Engineer to execute fire suppression and alarm design for mission-critical projects, including greenfield and brownfield data centers, hyperscale/enterprise fit-outs, campus planning, conceptual designs, and hydraulic analyses. This role involves leading fire protection design independently, interfacing with internal and external design teams, and advancing the company’s fire protection expertise through mentorship, standards development, and quality control.

Responsibilities

• Utilize Autodesk Revit to produce contract documents for fire suppression and alarm designs.
• Create schematic designs of fire pump, standpipe, and wet, dry, and preaction sprinkler systems.
• Develop fire alarm system architectures, sequences of operation, and schematic device layouts.
• Identify and communicate necessary system interconnections.
• Meet project deadlines, including working necessary hours to complete major deliverables.
• Understand local and national construction codes, client preferences, and construction processes to develop cohesive system designs.
• Draft memos and variance requests for clients and code officials, tailoring content to the audience.
• Review and respond to RFIs and submittals as part of construction administration.
• Collaborate with contractor teams to resolve construction challenges.
• Travel to project sites and meetings as required (approximately 10-20% travel).
• Communicate clearly in person, via phone, and over email/messaging platforms.
• Lead junior engineers and designers in executing specific design elements.
• Mentor and train junior engineers and designers to expand the department’s knowledge base.
• Maintain excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Requirements

• 4-year degree in engineering with a fire protection or mechanical focus (preferred); 2-year degree with relevant work experience considered.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in facility fire protection design, particularly using Autodesk Revit for drawing development.
• Strong knowledge of US codes and standard fire protection systems.
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS) is preferred.
• Experience in fire protection design for large industrial and commercial buildings is preferred.
• Experience across the entire construction process, from schematic design through construction administration, including submittal reviews, shop drawings, and field work (e.g., existing condition surveys, site observations, punch lists).
• Experience leading fire protection design teams and liaising with clients is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools (Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint).
• Experience with construction management tools such as Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Pay

Base compensation: $125,000 – $250,000 (varies based on education, experience, skills, and location).

Benefits

• 36-hour standard work week with hybrid working arrangement.
• 13 paid holidays.
• 100% coverage of medical, health, and dental insurance premiums for full-time employees; subsidized spouse/family premiums.
• Employer-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with annual safe harbor contribution.
• Reimbursement of professional licensing costs.