Fire Protection Engineer (Data Centers)

About the role

Your impact
This job opportunity is available at ANY location in the United States. Ideally, selected candidates will be near a JACOBS U.S. based office, but we intend to hire the "best" candidates.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Fire Protection Engineer for Data Center and Mission Critical projects
• Provide fire protection system design, code analysis, and life safety engineering
• Establish project fire protection design criteria, basis of design reports, and technical standards
• Participate in design reviews and quality assurance/quality control efforts across multiple projects
• Conduct code evaluations and interpretations using applicable NFPA, IBC, IFC, FM Global, and client-specific standards
• Develop suppression system concepts, including Water-based sprinkler systems, Fire pumps and fire water storage systems, Pre-action systems, Clean agent systems, Special hazards protection systems
• Perform and oversee hydraulic calculations for site fire water distribution networks, fire pumps, water storage tanks, and sprinkler systems
• Coverage fire protection designs with mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and architectural disciplines
• Interface directly with clients, insurance carriers, code officials, and AHJs to obtain approvals and resolve technical issues
• Support large-scale campus master planning efforts and establish fire protection strategies for hyperscale and AI-focused data center developments
• Aid project managers with scope development, staffing plans, budgets, schedules, and risk management
• Support proposal development, interviews, and business development activities within the Data Center market
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, codes, and industry trends impacting mission-critical facilities

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of fire protection engineering experience
• Extensive knowledge of NFPA Codes and Standards, International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets, OSHA requirements, local and state fire codes
• Experience designing fire suppression systems for large industrial, commercial, mission critical, or Data Center facilities
• Strong understanding of fire pumps, water-based suppression systems, water supply analysis, and hydraulic calculations
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and mentor developing staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage executive leadership, clients, and AHJs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Fire Protection Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• NICET certifications
• Significant Data Center and Mission Critical facility experience
• Experience with hyperscale, colocation, and AI-focused Data Center developments
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), lithium-ion battery protection, and emerging fire protection technologies
• Familiarity with fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, emergency communication systems, and life safety analysis
• Experience developing engineering standards, specifications, and best practices
• Working knowledge of Revit, BIM coordination, and hydraulic calculation software such as AutoSPRINK, HASS, HydraCALC, or similar tools
• Experience supporting global project delivery teams and multi-office engineering organizations