Fire Protection Engineer

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lead data center projects

Cross-functional teams

Travel to sites

Career growth

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to shape life-safety design for large-scale data center campuses. This role emphasizes fire detection, suppression, smoke control, and integration with architectural and operational systems, with remote work options.

You'll review designs, guide compliance with IBC/IFC/NFPA, and lead commissioning efforts across projects. The position requires 8+ years of data-center experience and strong collaboration with code officials and contractors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in fire protection engineering for data centers or mission-critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of building and fire codes, including IBC, IFC, NFPA, and local approval processes
• Technical expertise in fire alarm systems, water-based suppression, smoke control, and integrated life-safety systems
• Experience reviewing fire protection designs and commissioning results
• Ability to collaborate with authorities, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Strong communication skills and sound engineering judgment

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain fire protection design criteria and technical standards for data center campuses
• Review fire protection drawings, specifications, and hydraulic calculations throughout project phases
• Provide engineering direction for fire detection, suppression, and emergency communication systems
• Integrate fire protection with architectural and operational systems
• Collaborate with code officials and contractors to resolve code interpretations
• Support construction activities through reviews, inspections, and change management
• Define criteria for commissioning and operational readiness of fire safety systems
• Assess risks related to high-density compute and energy systems

Skills

Fire protection engineering expertise

Code compliance knowledge (IBC/IFC/NFP

Project leadership

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to join the team of a leader in the Information Technology space. This role will shape fire protection strategy for large-scale, mission-critical data center campuses and ensure life-safety systems are designed to support safe, reliable operations. You will partner closely with engineering, construction, operations, and external code officials to guide compliance and practical execution from design through commissioning. The position requires strong technical judgment across fire detection, suppression, smoke control, and integrated life-safety systems. It also involves assessing risk in high-density compute and energy environments while supporting hands-on project delivery.

Location: Remote

Compensation: $110,000 – $130,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain fire protection design criteria and technical standards for data center campuses
• Review fire protection drawings, specifications, and hydraulic calculations throughout project phases
• Provide engineering direction for fire detection, suppression, and emergency communication systems
• Integrate fire protection with architectural and operational systems
• Collaborate with code officials and contractors to resolve code interpretations
• Support construction activities through reviews, inspections, and change management
• Define criteria for commissioning and operational readiness of fire safety systems
• Assess risks related to high-density compute and energy systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in fire protection engineering for data centers or mission-critical environments
• Strong knowledge of building and fire codes, including IBC, IFC, NFPA, and local approval processes
• Technical expertise in fire alarm systems, water-based suppression, smoke control, and integrated life-safety systems
• Experience reviewing fire protection designs and commissioning results
• Ability to collaborate with authorities, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Strong communication skills and sound engineering judgment

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead fire protection engineering for large-scale data centers
• Engagement with diverse teams across engineering, construction, and operations
• Regular travel to project sites for hands-on involvement
• Potential for professional growth in a mission-critical environment

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.