Fire Protection / Life Safety Systems (LSS) Designer

About the role

At Jacobs, we’re transforming intangible ideas into innovative, real-world solutions—designing the future, today. As we continue to expand our impact across diverse markets, we’re looking for team members who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy working closely with clients to solve complex challenges. Our Life Safety Systems (LSS) Designers are key contributors to our mission, guiding life safety design efforts across multiple projects and market sectors. In this role, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and clients, helping bring ideas from concept to complete, code-compliant solutions.

You’ll support the full design lifecycle—preliminary assessments, concept development, design leadership, problem-solving, and construction documentation—ensuring safe, reliable systems that protect people, assets, and operations. As an LSS Engineer, you’ll juggle multiple concurrent projects and play a central role in delivering high-quality work on time. You’ll help shape facility safety strategies through fire protection engineering, system modeling, and life safety design tailored to environments such as mixed-use developments, campus-wide programs, industrial facilities, and highly specialized occupancies.

This job opportunity is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design efforts for life safety systems across various building and campus-scale projects
• Perform preliminary assessments and create conceptual design solutions
• Develop detailed Fire Alarm, Smoke Detection, Gas Detection, and Life Safety system designs using AutoCAD and Revit MEP
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, BIM designers, and subject matter experts to deliver coordinated 3D models
• Provide code-compliant fire protection and life safety strategies using applicable NFPA codes, IBC, IFC, IMC, and related standards
• Produce construction drawings, technical specifications, calculations, system layouts, network diagrams, and deliverables in 2D and 3D formats
• Interface directly with clients, vendors, and state/local authorities
• Solve technical design challenges and coordinate solutions both internally and externally
• Support and mentor junior staff while receiving guidance from senior design professionals
• Manage schedules, support project planning, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones

Requirements

• Minimum 4 years of AutoCAD or Revit design experience
• Working knowledge of IFC, IBC, IMC, NFPA 101, NFPA 72, ANSI, and related Life Safety & Fire codes
• Understanding of NFPA 70 (NEC) and electrical design requirements
• Knowledge of NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials Code
• Familiarity with Fire Alarm Systems, including manufacturer-specific equipment (e.g., VESDA)
• Hands-on design experience with Fire Alarm, Air Aspirating Smoke Detection, Linear Heat Detection, Access Control, Intrusion Detection, Intercom, CCTV, HPM, and Leak Detection systems
• Experience developing design and construction specifications
• Experience estimating and scheduling mid- to large-scale projects

Preferred Qualifications

• NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems
• Professional Engineering (PE) license
• Experience leading projects and managing resources
• Experience mentoring and developing junior team members
• Design management experience
• Design experience in one or more of the following sectors:
  • Mass Transportation
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Datacenter
  • Education
  • Industrial
  • Advanced Manufacturing
• Working knowledge of 3D BIM tools (Revit preferred)

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (allocated plans start at 17 days per calendar year)
• Seven paid holidays
• Caregiver leave
• Ability to purchase company stock at a discount
• Legally mandated benefits

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $86,600.00 to $109,100.00; though will be paid hourly based on hours worked. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.