Fire Protection Designer II

Affiliated Engineers, Inc; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Mentorship and professional growth

Health, dental, vision and retirement

Job summary

Affiliated Engineers, Inc. in Chapel Hill is seeking a Fire Protection Designer II to design and lay out fire suppression systems for energy-efficient buildings and critical facilities.

You will perform calculations, size layouts, select equipment, and prepare shop drawings, with strong NFPA code knowledge guiding decisions. We value technical degrees in HVAC/mechanical/electrical/architectural design and NICET certification.

Qualifications

• Technical or Associate Degree in HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or architectural design, or commensurate experience.
• General knowledge of fire suppression systems.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and/or REVIT; ability to learn engineering design programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and layout of fire suppression systems.
• Perform calculations, determine sizing and layouts, select equipment.
• Complete field surveys and prepare shop drawings.
• Modify and interpret specifications for fire suppression systems; resolve code questions.

Skills

Fire protection design

NFPA codes

Communication skills

Layout interpretation

Education

Technical or Associate Degree in HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or architectural design

NICET Level I or II certification

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

Job description

Join a Team Where Engineering Excellence Drives Opportunity

AtAffiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI), we bring together expertise and innovation to solve the most complex challenges. Since 1978, we’ve supported mission-driven organizations in designing systems and environments that advance society and improve lives. Today, with more than 1000 professionals across 23 offices, we help shape the future of healthcare, science and technology, energy, education, and other vital sectors.

From elevating patient care in Mayo Clinic’s world-class hospitals to enabling discovery in high-containment laboratories for U.S. agencies and driving environmental progress with Microsoft’s renowned Thermal Energy Center, our work enriches the human experience, safeguards the environment, and pushes the boundaries of possibility.

AEI consistently earns national recognition from leading industry publications, including Building Design+Construction, Engineering News-Record, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, with distinctions such as being named the #1 Laboratory Engineering Firm in the nation and receiving multiple Best of the Best Project awards, underscoring the lasting legacy of our work.

At AEI, you’ll join a collaborative community where your expertise fuels innovation, your ideas drive progress, and your work helps shape a brighter future.

As a Fire Protection Designer II in our Chapel Hill office, you will help us empower our clients to achieve energy-efficient building solutions, save global environments, and create a better, greener future for all.

Here’s why we need you:

In this role, you must have prior experience in design and layout of fire suppression systems. A strong understanding of NFPA codes and standards along with applicable building and fire codes is preferred. Your assignments will include performing calculations, determining system sizing and layouts, selecting equipment, completing field surveys, and preparing shop drawings. In this role, you must be confident in designing fire suppression system with little supervision, create details and notes for construction documents, modify and understand specifications for fire suppression systems, and be proficient in researching and resolving building and fire related code and standard questions.

Expertise of our most successful Fire Protection Designer II:

• Technical or Associate Degree in HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or architectural design from an accredited technical institution or college; or commensurate experience.
• General knowledge in fire suppression systems.
• Proficient in the current version of AutoCAD and/or REVIT. Ability to learn how to use engineering design programs.
• Ability to interpret design criteria and convert it into specific layouts.
• NICET Level I or II certified.

Effective skills to help you flourish:

• Strong spoken and written communications skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Quick technical comprehension and motivation focused on client outcomes.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Effective working individually and within team environments.

When you work here, you can expect:

• A flexible, collaborative environment where your well-being matters—because your best work happens when you’re supported.
• Real opportunities to grow—through mentorship, professional development programs, and exposure to high-impact projects across disciplines.
• To collaborate with inspiring teammates who challenge the status quo, foster innovation, and pave the way for future leaders.
• A benefits package that offers health, dental, vision, and retirement, a performance-based year-end bonus, and thoughtful perks tailored to your needs—whether that’s a flexible work environment, wellness resources, or community-focused initiatives, we’ll continue to invest.

AEI is proud to be an EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled.