Fire Protection Engineer

HDR; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer for their Building Engineering Services team in North Carolina. This role involves managing complex projects, applying advanced engineering techniques, and ensuring client satisfaction. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection or related fields, a professional engineering license, and at least 3 years of experience in commercial or institutional environments. This is a full-time position based in various NC locations including Wilmington.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in commercial or institutional facilities.
• Requires a professional engineering license recognized by local licensing boards.
• Experience with sustainable design/LEED is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the fire protection portions of complex projects.
• Independently evaluate and apply engineering techniques.
• Meet clients and contractors to ensure project success.

Skills

Fire protection engineering

Project management

Client communication

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Trane TRACE

Job description

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures; it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you\'re optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

Position

HDR is looking for a Fire Protection Engineer to join our Building Engineering Services team in North Carolina. This position must be based out of one of our NC offices (Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Wilmington).

Responsibilities

• Manage the fire protection portions of complex projects
• Independently evaluate, select and apply standard and advanced engineering techniques and procedures to make decisions on a broad range of fire protection issues
• Take responsibility for all aspects of the work, including drawings and specifications, meeting schedules and budgets, and directing assigned staff
• Meet with clients and contractors
• Take responsibility for programming, and conceptualizing and designing complex systems and projects
• Develop a basic approach to the working drawings
• Interpret engineering data for designers and drafters
• Check the drawings on a continuing basis to ensure accuracy and completeness, and promote the skills of designers and drafters
• Monitor the schedule and budgets for assigned projects
• Review and summarize applicable codes, and record them for inclusion in the design record
• Through the Project Manager, establish contact with the client or appropriate representative to assure continuity and integrity of information received from the client
• Visit project sites as requested by the Construction Services Department or as contractually required
• Coordinate work with other disciplines and consultants
• Check contract documents and shop drawings, and answer requests for information
• Prepare periodic project status reports for review by the Project Manager and the Department Director
• Ensure that the Construction Services Department is familiar with the project\'s characteristics
• Write the specifications in conjunction with the Technical Services Department
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years experience in commercial or institutional facilities
• Healthcare, Science and Technology and/or Civic facilities experience
• Experience and/or interest in sustainable design/LEED desired but not required
• NICET III or NICET IV
• Local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Previous experience in commercial or institutional facilities
• Computer experience using MS Office, Trane TRACE or similar software, manufacturer selection software
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. We build on each other\'s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Location and Details

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte

Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-North Carolina-Asheville

Industry: Building Engineering

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Fire and Life Safety

Job Posting: Apr 27, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.