Development Project Engineer - Fire Protection & Fire Alarm

qtsdatacenters; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Development Project Engineer - Fire Protection & Fire Alarm to support design, procurement, and commissioning of life safety systems across data center projects.

You will collaborate with design, construction, and commissioning teams, review drawings, perform risk assessments, and ensure compliance with NFPA standards and AHJ requirements throughout project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field required
• Basic experience with fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, construction, commissioning, facility operations, or engineering design
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, submittals, and construction documents
• Understanding of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, and life safety systems

Responsibilities

• Review drawing packages for adherence to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external design teams to ensure compliance with design standards, codes, and AHJ requirements.
• Define project scope with stakeholders and communicate requirements to design teams.
• Assist with RFIs, code interpretations, and value engineering proposals during construction and commissioning.
• Review OFCI equipment submittals for alignment with design criteria.
• Support resolution of design issues discovered during construction and testing.
• Coordinate with AHJs, insurers, and commissioning teams for approvals and occupancy milestones.
• Develop and maintain standardized fire protection and fire alarm design standards for critical facilities.

Skills

Fire protection concepts

Life safety systems

Engineering drawings familiarity

Interdepartmental coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field

Job description

Who we are:

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

The Development Project Engineer - Fire Protection & Fire Alarm is primarily responsible for assisting with the design, preconstruction, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning activities for fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems across assigned projects. The Project Engineer will interact daily with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), Insurance Representatives, and Data Center Operations staff and should possess written and verbal communication skills commensurate with this level of engagement.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review drawing packages for adherence to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety design standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external design teams to evaluate designs to ensure compliance with established design standards, local code requirements, insurance requirements, and AHJ requirements.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to define project scope requirements, evaluate deviations from standards, and communicate requirements to design teams.
• Work with construction, commissioning, and risk management teams to answer Requests for Information (RFIs), code interpretations, and value engineering proposals.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to review OFCI equipment submittals for compliance with fire protection and fire alarm design criteria.
• Support project teams in resolving fire protection and fire alarm design issues discovered during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Work closely with strategic procurement teams on fire protection and fire alarm equipment procurement.
• Assist in reviewing fire protection hydraulic calculations, fire pump analyses, water supply evaluations, and system acceptance testing requirements.
• Assist in reviewing fire alarm system architectures, battery calculations, sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, and integrated testing plans.
• Support factory witness testing, site acceptance testing, integrated systems testing, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate with AHJs, insurance representatives, consultants, contractors, and commissioning teams to support project approvals and occupancy milestones.
• Support development and maintenance of standardized fire protection and fire alarm design standards for mission-critical facilities.
• Assist with evaluating fire suppression, fire detection, emergency communications, and life safety systems for compliance and operational reliability.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Basic experience with fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, construction, commissioning, facility operations, or engineering design.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, submittals, and construction documents.
• Understanding of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, and life safety systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience designing, supporting, or reviewing fire protection and fire alarm systems for data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments.
• Assist with project management responsibilities across multiple projects and campuses.
• Experience with fire alarm sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, system testing, and commissioning activities.
• Direct experience in the construction of data centers, critical medical facilities, industrial facilities, or other mission-critical environments.
• Basic knowledge of NFPA standards, including but not limited to NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 72, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 101, and NFPA 4, as well as applicable building and fire codes.
• Familiarity with FM Global Data Sheets, insurance requirements, and loss prevention strategies.
• Experience with double-interlock pre-action sprinkler systems, clean agent systems, water-based suppression systems, and special hazard protection systems.
• Experience with VESDA and aspirating smoke detection systems, very early warning fire detection systems, and integration with monitoring and control platforms.
• Experience supporting integrated systems testing, acceptance testing, and commissioning of fire protection and life safety systems.
• Experience evaluating performance-based fire protection alternatives and alternative means and methods.
• Basic knowledge of fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems and their