Associate Engineer (Fire Protection)

San Jose CA; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

The San José Fire Department (SJFD) is seeking two Associate Engineers in the Bureau of Fire Prevention to perform professional engineering, plan review, and inspection work focused on building life safety, fire protection, and site development. Under supervision, the Associate Engineers will examine plans, review compliance with codes, advise stakeholders, and conduct field inspections.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering and 3 years of experience are required; CA driver’s license and Form 700

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (e.g., Fire Protection, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and Form 700 disclosure requirements.

Responsibilities

• Examine plans and calculations for compliance with Building/Fire Codes, NFPA standards, and local ordinances.
• Provide technical advice on fire safety code interpretations to consultants, architects, and contractors.
• Evaluate alternative materials or construction methods and assess variances to fire safety codes.
• Conduct field inspections to ensure construction complies with approved plans.

Skills

Plan review

Building code knowledge

Fire protection systems

Education

Bachelor's in Fire Protection/Mechanical/Civil

Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

Job description

The San José Fire Department's (SJFD) mission is to serve the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention and response. SJFD is a high-volume, high-performance, “all hazard” fire department, responding to approximately 93,000 calls for service each year from 33 Fire Stations. SJFD’s service area includes a number of high-hazard occupancies, including an international airport; a general aviation reliever airport; five major hospitals (including two trauma centers, and five emergency departments); the SAP Center, home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks (17,500 capacity); PayPal Park, home of MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes (18,000 capacity); San José State University (the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast) with a student population of 33,409; three super regional malls; approximately 100 high-rise structures; and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

For more information on the San José Fire Department (SJFD), please visit the website here.

The San José Fire Department (SJFD) is seeking to filltwo (2) Associate Engineer positions in the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP). The Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) Development Division contributes to the Department’s mission through its primary focus on key areas of responsibility that include public education and outreach services, investigation of fires to determine cause and origin, and code compliance activities such as plan review and inspection.

Under the general supervision of a Senior Engineer, the Associate Engineer position performs a variety of professional engineering, plan review, and inspection work.

Typical duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Examine plans, perform calculations and review specifications for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings for compliance with the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California State Fire Marshal regulations, applicable NFPA standards, and local ordinances.
• Provide technical advice to consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, department officers and staff, and the Fire Marshal on the application or interpretation of fire safety codes/regulations, and on the resolution of fire safety issues found in the preliminary design of buildings.
• Analyze and evaluate proposals for alternate materials, methods of construction, and/or variances to fire safety codes and regulations.
• Conduct field inspections to ensure that the finished construction complies with approved plans.

The subject of the incumbent’s tasks will be focused on one or more of the following Sections of BFP areas: Building Life Safety Systems, Fire Sprinkler/Suppression Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, and Site Development.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Salary range for this classification is:

• Associate Engineer: $135,975.84 - $172,099.20

This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering discipline (e.g. Fire Protection, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc.) OR possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate.

Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience.

Acceptable Substitution: A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering discipline may be substituted for one (1) year of professional engineering experience.

Licenses or Certificates: Possession of a valid State of California’s driver’s license is required.

Form 700: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following desirable competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of codes and standards relevant to building life safety and fire protection.
• Experience examining building plans to ensure compliance with building fire safety and fire protection.
• Experience in the design, evaluation, and inspection/testing of fire/life safety systems such as passive fire protection systems, emergency evacuation systems, fire sprinkler/suppression systems, and fire alarm systems.
• Possession of certifications and/or licenses related to the field of fire protection.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Analytical Thinking– Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Customer Service – Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Decision Making– Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

Planning – Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

This recruitment is open until filled, however applications received on or before September 11, 2026, will be given first consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Denisse Madriz at [e-mail].