Fire Protection Engineer - Building Engineering Market

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Licensure support

Professional organization engagement

Healthcare

401(k) with company match

Mass transit program

Telemedicine

Job summary

Gresham Smith is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer in Chicago to design and evaluate fire protection systems for complex buildings. You will work with engineers, architects, and contractors to develop robust life-safety solutions that comply with applicable codes and standards.

The role emphasizes collaboration, design accuracy, and staying current with evolving regulations, while contributing to projects from concept through installation in a dynamic, people-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering.
• 4+ years of experience as a fire protection engineer.
• AutoCAD/Revit experience or AutoSprink preferred.
• Knowledge of IBC, NFPA, and FM standards.
• MS Office applications (Word, Excel).
• Experience with Bluebeam or Adobe Acrobat for PDFs.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan fire sprinkler systems using AutoSprink.
• Evaluate building plans to determine life safety systems (fire suppression, fire alarm, smoke control, code analysis).
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and contractors during design and installation.
• Ensure designs meet fire safety codes and regulations.
• Produce design specifications.
• Participate in training to stay updated on new regulations and industry advancements.

Skills

Fire safety principles

Communication

Problem solving

MS Office

Design software

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD/Revit

AutoSprink

Job description

About Us

At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.

What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.

Why Gresham Smith?

When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering.
• 4+ years working as a fire protection engineer.
• AutoCAD/Revit experience or AutoSprink is preferred.
• Knowledge of IBC, NFPA, and FM standards is required.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience using Bluebeam or Adobe Pro to edit, markup, and package PDFs.
• Strong understanding of fire safety measures, engineering principles, and the ability to use design software.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, as the engineer will have to work with various stakeholders and resolve any potential design or installation issues.

About the Role

As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will:

• Design and plan fire sprinkler systems using AutoSprink software.
• Evaluate building plans and architectural drawings to determine appropriate life safety systems including fire suppression, fire alarm, smoke control and code analysis.
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and contractors during the design and installation stages.
• Ensure designs meet fire safety codes, standards, and regulations.
• Produce design specifications.
• Participate in training to stay updated on new regulations and industry advancements.

Join Us

If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Professional Growth

In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.

Culture that Cares

93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.

Competitive Benefits

• Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
• Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
• Family Planning and Parental Leave
• Mass/Public Transit Program
• Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program

Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!

GRESHAM SMITH does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, headhunters, search firms, or agencies. No referral or recruiter fees will be paid without a fully executed GRESHAM PLACEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) in advance. Submissions made without a PSA may be recruited and hired by GRESHAM SMITH with no financial obligation to the submitting party. Any such unsolicited resumes or candidate information sent to hiring managers or any employee becomes the property of GRESHAM SMITH.