Associate Engineer (Fire Protection)

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San José is seeking two Associate Engineer positions in the Bureau of Fire Prevention to support building life safety, fire sprinkler/suppression, and fire alarm systems. Work includes plan review, field inspections, and advising on code interpretations.

Under Senior Engineer supervision, you will help ensure compliance with Building and Fire Codes, NFPA standards, and local ordinances, contributing to a safe community in San José.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (Fire Protection, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc.) or have an EIT certificate.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Examine plans and review specifications for buildings for compliance with relevant codes.
• Provide technical advice on fire safety codes and design interpretations.
• Analyze proposals for alternatives to materials or methods and evaluate variances.
• Conduct field inspections to confirm compliance with approved plans.

Skills

Building codes knowledge

Fire protection knowledge

Plan review

Inspection

Communication

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection / Mechanical / Civil

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate

Job description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at [e-mail].

About The Department

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.

Position Duties

The San José Fire Department (SJFD) is seeking to fill two (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.

For more information about BFP, please click here.

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.

Minimum QualificationsEducation

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.

Other QualificationsCompetencies

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].

Additional Information

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.