Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

WSP; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer to support design, development, site surveys, testing, and inspections of fire protection systems across multiple offices including Columbia, MD.

Ideal candidates hold a BS/MS in fire protection or mechanical engineering with a fire protection focus and have up to 1 year of relevant experience, plus strong research, writing, and teamwork abilities. This role includes travel as required and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master of Science in Fire Protection or Mechanical Eng (fire focus).
• 0–1 year of fire protection and life safety experience.
• Excellent research skills with analytical mindset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization.

Responsibilities

• Assist design of fire protection and life safety systems including automatic fire sprinklers, fire detection and alarm, smoke management, and egress systems.
• Assist in preparation of fire engineering calculations including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis.
• Assist in commissioning of fire alarm, fire suppression, smoke control, and life safety systems.
• Perform routine engineering functions and provide entry-level technical assistance on code requirements and design strategies.
• Review architectural drawings for compliance with building and fire codes; support basis of design documentation.

Skills

excellent research skills

interpersonal communication

self-leadership

attention to detail

multitasking

teamwork

technical writing

Education

Bachelor or Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (fire protection focus)

Job description

This Opportunity

At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready pioneers to innovate. We’re looking to grow our teams with people who are ready to collaborate in building communities and expanding our skylines. To do this, we hire candidates of all experiences, skillsets, backgrounds and walks of life. We actively foster a work environment and culture where inclusion and diversity is part of our fundamental structure. This is delivered behaviorally, through our policies, trainings, local partnerships with professional diverse organizations, internal networks and most importantly with the support and sponsorship of our leaders who help drive our commitment to an inclusive, diverse, welcoming and equitable work environment. Anything is within our reach and yours as a WSP employee. Come join us and help shape the future!

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer for the following offices: Arlington, VA; Boston, MA; Columbia, MD; Dallas, TX; Houston; TX, and New York, NY

Be involved in projects with our Fire and Life Safety (FLS) Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges with innovative and cutting-edge technology.

This opportunity provides technical assistance for design, development, site survey, testing, and inspecting of fire and life safety systems on building projects in the public and private sector. Responsibilities include assisting with the research, design, concept development, planning; and optimal integration of automatic sprinkler, fire alarm, mass notification, and smoke control systems. Additional tasks include assistance with egress analysis, smoke control and egress modeling, and building and fire code analysis review and compliance. The ideal candidate will be accountable to their tasks and ensure that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Research of building code, life safety code, and fire code requirements. This will include familiarity with both ICC and NFPA codes, including the International Building Code and NFPA 101.


• Assist with the design of fire protection and life safety engineering systems including automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems, smoke management systems, and egress systems.


• Assist in the preparation of fire engineering calculations including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis from simple hand calculations to complex 3D computational modeling.


• Assist in the commissioning of fire alarm, fire suppression, smoke control, and life safety systems.


• Perform routine engineering functions and provide entry-level technical assistance on various code requirements, calculations, and design strategies to develop performance-based solutions for projects.


• Under general supervision, assist with review architectural drawings for compliance with building and fire code requirements, and with producing fire safety strategy (basis of design) documents to inform and support the chosen building characteristics throughout the design process.


• Complete training on assigned tasks.


• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.


• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master of Science Degree in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (with fire protection focus).


• 0 to 1 year of fire protection and life safety experience


• Excellent research skills with analytical mindset.


• Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.


• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.


• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.


• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.


• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.


• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.


• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $68,000 - $90,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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