Fire Protection Engineer

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to support NIH initiatives on a hybrid schedule at Bethesda, MD. You will review designs, inspect construction, and verify tests for fire protection systems across about 50 buildings.

Collaboration with the NIH fire marshal and a small team is expected). The role requires a Bachelor of Science in engineering and 2+ years in mechanical engineering, with NFPA code expertise and experience reviewing drawings.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Proficiency with NFPA codes, particularly NFPA 30 & 35.
• Experience in permitting, design review, and construction inspections.
• Bachelor of Science in engineering (any discipline).
• Experience in reviewing architectural, engineering, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler drawings.
• Familiarity with IEC codes, Revit, AutoCAD, piping design, and plumbing design.

Responsibilities

• Review architectural and engineering designs and fire protection system drawings for multiple buildings.
• Conduct construction inspections and issue final occupancy permits.
• Witness acceptance tests for modifications in fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
• Evaluate building conditions via life safety and hazard analysis surveys.
• Provide technical guidance using NFPA codes.

Skills

NFPA codes knowledge

Mechanical engineering

Drawing review

Facility design

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Piping design

Plumbing design

Job description

Job Title: Fire Protection Engineer

Job Description

This role offers a dynamic work environment that emphasizes the well-being and work-life balance of employees. With a hybrid schedule, you will have the flexibility to work both on-campus and remotely, aligning your professional responsibilities with personal commitments. The position involves minimal travel, allowing you to focus on core responsibilities. By joining our team, you will contribute to significant initiatives at the National Institute of Health (NIH), becoming part of a collaborative and supportive community.

Responsibilities

• Review architectural and engineering designs as well as fire protection system shop drawings for over 50 buildings.
• Conduct construction inspections and issue final occupancy permits.
• Witness acceptance tests for modifications in fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
• Evaluate existing building conditions through life safety and hazard analysis surveys.
• Provide technical guidance using various NFPA codes.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with NFPA codes, particularly NFPA 30 & 35.
• Experience in permitting, design review, and construction inspections.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Bachelor of Science in engineering (any discipline).
• Experience in reviewing architectural, engineering, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler drawings.
• Familiarity with IEC codes, Revit, AutoCAD, piping design, and plumbing design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of other NFPA codes.
• Experience in mentoring or leading teams.
• Experience working within a lab or hospital environment, especially dealing with hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with stamping permits or egress systems.

Work Environment

The work will be conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, overseeing approximately 50 buildings. Employees have the convenience of driving their own car across the campus if needed. The team consists of one program manager and three other engineers, and you will collaborate closely with the NIH fire marshal. The opportunity includes working in a supportive environment with a hybrid schedule, fostering a balanced work-life dynamic.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethesda, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.48 - $52.88/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Bethesda,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.