Fire Protection Engineer

MedStar Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm, WJE, is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer for their offices in Downtown Chicago or Northbrook, Illinois. The successful candidate will manage projects while developing fire protection systems and provide mentorship. This role demands technical expertise, excellent communication, and problem-solving skills, offering a chance to grow in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive health plans

Generous 401(k) matching

Professional development opportunities

Time off for personal care

Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE); EIT considered.
• Familiarity with drafting and modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and act as primary contact.
• Perform field investigations and document findings.
• Prepare client deliverables including reports and specifications.

Skills

Technical communication

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)

PyroSim

Smokeview

Pathfinder

CFAST

Job description

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and designers. This position can be located in either our Downtown Chicago office or at WJE company headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois.

Building on the industry experience you bring to WJE, our team will commit to your development into a well-rounded consultant; facilitating your continued deepening of technical expertise and project management skills, encouraging your participation in industry professional development opportunities, and supporting your desire to make a meaningful impact in your field.

If you are enthusiastic about solving problems, curious about how things work, and not afraid to get your hands dirty, we want you on our team!

Responsibilities:

• Assume responsibility for the day-to-day success of multiple projects, including acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; training and mentoring teammates; and managing small-to-medium projects, as appropriate

• Perform on-site investigations, condition assessments, and inspections, which may include surveying, documenting deficiencies, field testing, collecting data and samples, and preparing site visit reports

• Develop fire growth, smoke movement, and egress zone models

• Analyze field data, interpret model results, and perform research and review of construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem-solving, and development of alternative designs for a variety of fire protection systems, building code issues, and life safety objectives

• Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and final client deliverables, including written reports, calculation packets, construction documents, and project specifications

• Contribute to company-wide objectives through involvement in office and company development initiatives, in-house Technical Resource Groups (TRGs) and research projects, and relevant industry committees and professional organizations (e.g., SFPE)

Qualifications/Competencies:

• Three or more years of relevant experience, which may include designing and evaluating various fire protection systems; conducting building code analysis and code consulting; developing equivalencies for alternative methods and materials; writing fire protection building code programs; and/or building and analyzing complex fire, smoke, and egress models

• Bachelor's degreein fire protection engineering or related field;master's degree preferred

• Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE); EIT in pursuit of PE will be considered on a case-by-case basis

• Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills

• Familiarity with drafting, analysis, and modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD, REVIT, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), PyroSim, Smokeview, Pathfinder, and CFAST)

• Proactive, team player mindset with willingness to take on various responsibilities, tackle new challenges, and learn new skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands, while maintaining productive interpersonal relationships and a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. This position requires visual acuity and listening ability. Individuals must have the dexterity to be able to operate office and field equipment such as computer, printer, fax, copier, telephone, voice mail system, and other office and field equipment. Requirements may also include:

• Ability to travel and attend meetings at various office, field, and construction sites

• Ability to perform inspections of buildings and other structures, both visually and with instruments

• Ability to safely work at heights, in confined spaces, and in a variety of occupationally hazardous locations, including outdoors with exposure to temperature extremes

• Ability to safely use and/or operate ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other access equipment

• Ability to lift and carry materials, tools, and other heavy equipment up to 50 lbs.

• Medically fit to utilize respiratory protection devices and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment

• Ability to drive and safely operate a motor vehicle

WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure, where base salary is just one component of an employee's annual earnings. Additionally, employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, often resulting in above-market annual earnings. Actual base salary will be based on several factors including consideration for a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity.A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range:

$89,040.00 - $133,560.00

WJE's industry-leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits including robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, generous 401(k) matching, time off to care for yourself and others, and investments in employees' professional development, to name a few. More information on WJE's total rewards package can be found atwww.wje.com/careers/employment-benefits.

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employerasto all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.