Field Solutions Engineer - Water & Permitting (Hybrid)

Frontline Wildfire Defense; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Company-provided cell phone

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Flexible time off

14 paid holidays

Job summary

Frontline Wildfire Defense is hiring a Solutions Engineer to support Sales, Design, and Installation Ops with hydraulic engineering expertise across Southern California. You’ll validate water availability, pressure, and permitting requirements on complex projects, advising on buildable, compliant wildfire sprinkler solutions.

The role blends field-site work with office collaboration, requiring travel 2–4 days a week and strong communication with clients and authorities.

Qualifications

• 4-7+ years of experience in hydraulic engineering, mechanical/civil engineering, and plumbing design experience or fire protection systems
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred
• Experience with permitting process, municipal codes, or regulatory approvals (CA experience strongly preferred)
• Familiarity with irrigation systems, or similar water-based infrastructure is a plus
• Strong expertise in water distribution systems, including flow, pressure, and pressure loss considerations across pipe networks
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, site plans, and engineering documentation
• Strong understanding of hydraulics and real-world system constraints
• Basic understanding of alternative power sources and electrical components
• Comfortable working in a hybrid role with frequent field visits (2-4 days a week in the field)
• Excellent problem solving skills, especially in navigating regulatory and environmental constraints
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface with clients, internal teams, and local authorities
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and timelines

Responsibilities

• Own the technical evaluation process that enables Sales, Design, and Installation Ops to close deals with confidence
• Collaborate with the Senior Solutions Engineer on the most complex projects; independently lead standard and mid-complexity evaluations
• Provide practical design guidance on system layout and placement to ensure solutions are feasible, efficient, and implementable in the field
• Evaluate project feasibility with a strong focus on water supply, pressure, and permitting requirements
• Serve as a technical resource for projects requiring advanced engineering input or regulatory navigation
• Translate customer needs into compliant and buildable wildfire sprinkler system solutions
• Provide clear guidance and occasional training to Sales and Project Management teams to support understanding of systems design and implementation
• Support permitting efforts across jurisdictions in Southern California
• Research and interpret local codes, regulations, and permitting requirements related to water systems and fire protection
• Interface with local authorities, municipalities, and water districts to facilitate approvals
• Prepare and review technical documentation required for permit submissions
• Identify potential permitting risks early and propose solutions to keep projects on track
• Provide subject matter technical expertise in hydraulics, pipe flow, and pressure based systems
• Assess water sources, flow rates, and pressure availability for each project
• Validate system performance assumptions to ensure effective wildfire protection coverage
• Support and refine system designs based on real-world water constraints
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize layouts based on hydraulic feasibility and practical field implementation
• Evaluate alternative water supply configurations - including pool sources, wells, and storage solutions - to maintain system effectiveness on projects with limited or anemic municipal water infrastructure
• Travel to job sites across Southern California as needed
• Ability to evaluate alternative system configurations that maintain wildfire protection effectiveness while reducing water consumption or municipal dependency
• Conduct on-site assessments to evaluate water access, water distribution systems, infrastructure, and system feasibility
• Engage directly with clients to explain technical considerations related to water systems, electrical components, and permitting
• Act as a technical advisor during critical project stages, especially where approvals or constraints arise
• Support installation teams with technical clarification related to water systems and compliance
• Work closely with sales, design, and operations teams to ensure smooth project execution
• Provide feedback to improve permitting workflows and water system design standards
• Help standardize processes for jurisdictional approvals and hydraulic evaluations
• Contribute to internal documentation and best practices for recurring permitting scenarios

Skills

Hydraulic engineering

Mechanical engineering

Civil engineering

Water distribution

Regulatory knowledge

Client communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Civil Engineering

Job description

Frontline Wildfire Defense is hiring a Solutions Engineer to support Sales, Design, and Installation Ops with hydraulic engineering expertise across Southern California. You’ll validate water availability, pressure, and permitting requirements on complex projects, advising on buildable, compliant wildfire sprinkler solutions.

The role blends field-site work with office collaboration, requiring travel 2–4 days a week and strong communication with clients and authorities.