Field Project Manager, Fire Systems

Johnson Controls; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Three weeks paid vacation

Holidays and sick time

401K

Medical, dental, and vision care

Training and development opportunities

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Johnson Controls in Huntington Beach, CA, seeks a Field Project Manager for Fire Systems to lead moderate-to-complex projects from planning to closeout. You will balance schedule, cost, safety, quality, and customer expectations while coordinating internal teams, customers, and vendors.

The role emphasizes practical problem-solving, teamwork, and delivering strong project outcomes in a collaborative setting with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years as a project manager or in design work within the Fire Protection industry.
• 2+ years of experience with installation and/or servicing of fire systems.
• Ability to work in a matrix structure and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with internal and external customers.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Project (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Organized, detail oriented, and self-motivating.

Responsibilities

• Lead moderately complex fire protection and security projects with medium to high corporate priority.
• Set up local project offices as needed and manage schedule, cost, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Share project updates and status with management and customers.
• Manage vendor relationships to support project execution.
• Oversee projects from inception to completion, including design, permits, materials, labor schedules, and field installation.
• Develop project plans that support schedule and budget targets and conduct WIP meetings.
• Close projects on time and within scope, coordinating change orders and margin improvement.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Risk identification

Budget tracking

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Field Project Manager, Fire Systems

Johnson Controls is a global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, and this role supports the delivery of fire systems projects that help protect people, property, and operations. You will join a collaborative environment focused on safety, customer impact, and professional growth, with the support needed to deliver strong project outcomes.

We value practical problem-solving, teamwork, and a culture where your ideas and experience help shape successful execution in the field.

Role Overview

The Field Project Manager, Fire Systems leads moderately complex fire protection and security projects with medium to high corporate priority. In this role, you will guide projects from planning through closeout, balancing schedule, cost, safety, quality, and customer expectations while serving as a key point of contact for internal teams, customers, vendors, and project partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead moderately complex projects and provide project management support in scope definition, risk identification, resource allocation, and facilitation.
• Set up local project offices as needed and maintain control of schedule, cost, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Share project updates, project cycle status, and expected outcomes with management and customers.
• Manage vendor relationships throughout installation to support smooth project execution.
• Oversee project progression from inception to completion, including design, permits, material delivery, labor schedules, and field installation.
• Develop project plans that support schedule and budget targets, and conduct Work in Progress meetings.
• Close projects on time and in scope while coordinating change orders and supporting margin improvement on every job.

How You Will Do It

• Own project outcomes with accountability for safety, quality, customer satisfaction, schedule, and cost.
• Stay close to the work by tracking design progress, permits, material delivery, labor schedules, and field installation from start to finish.
• Focus on what matters by removing obstacles early, keeping stakeholders aligned, and making sure customers receive clear communication and reliable execution.
• Improve every day through candid WIP reviews, disciplined change-order management, practical problem-solving, and consistent follow-through.
• Win as one team by building trust with customers, labor, management, vendors, and internal partners, and by valuing diverse perspectives in day-to-day collaboration.
• Manage security and fire protection projects in commercial, educational, healthcare, and industrial facilities while representing Johnson Controls professionally with customers and architect/engineer partners.
• Build and maintain a detailed project plan, and ensure published codes, standards, unique project specifications, Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements, and departmental procedures are followed.
• Maintain professionalism, fairness, and concern in daily communication and decision-making.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Two or more years of experience as a project manager or in design work within the Fire Protection industry.
• Two or more years of experience with the installation and/or servicing of fire systems.
• Ability to work in a matrix structure and handle conflict resolution effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects at the same time.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with internal and external customers.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Project, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to create tracking spreadsheets, reference data across spreadsheets, and create macros.
• Organized, detail oriented, and self-motivating.

Nice to Have

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, business, or equivalent field.
• Five years of fire protection, construction, fire installation and service, or related project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and understand complex building architectural, mechanical, and electrical documents.
• Knowledge of standards, Underwriter’s requirements, and applicable building codes.
• NICET / Water Base Lay-out.

Why Join Us

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $94,600-$130,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply.

• Competitive base salary and a comprehensive bonus program.
• Three weeks paid vacation in a calendar year, plus holidays, sick time, and three PTO days in a calendar year.
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care, available day one.
• Extensive product and on-the-job/cross training opportunities.
• Encouraging and collaborative team environment.
• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy.
• Providing scheduling and management support.
• JCI employee discount programs through The Loop by Perk Spot.

To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us.

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.