Fire Protection Engineer - Hybrid (Federal Projects)

CDM Smith; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to design, review, and manage fire protection systems across diverse projects. You will contribute to life safety analyses, NFPA compliance, and collaboration with sales to develop client proposals.

You will mentor junior staff and may supervise engineers, while working in a hybrid model that balances office and remote work. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical/Architectural/Chemical) or related discipline.
• PE license required for consideration.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience in fire protection or equivalent.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required, varies by project.

Responsibilities

• Develop fire protection designs including water supply, hydraulics, and sprinkler systems.
• Act as QFPE for federal projects; provide life safety, fire suppression and fire alarm analysis.
• Review designs for compliance with NFPA/UFC and local regulations; sign off.
• Create fire protection and life safety engineering designs and evaluations (eg. egress analysis, fire separation, hazard analysis).
• Evaluate systems using HydraCAD/HydraCALC or similar software.
• Collaborate with sales to prepare proposals and respond to RFPs.
• Mentor junior staff and supervise engineers on project work.
• Ensure firm policies and QA practices are followed on all designs.
• Engage with clients to review current and future design needs; perform site assessments as needed.

Skills

CAD 3D/4D software

Engineering design principles

MS Office

Verbal & written communication

Regulatory knowledge (federal/state)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Architectural or Chemical Engineering or related

PE license

7 years related experience

Willingness to travel domestically/internationally

Tools

HydraCAD/HydraCALC

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to design, review, and manage fire protection systems across diverse projects. You will contribute to life safety analyses, NFPA compliance, and collaboration with sales to develop client proposals.

You will mentor junior staff and may supervise engineers, while working in a hybrid model that balances office and remote work. Travel up to 10% may be required.