Fire Protection Engineer I

HFA; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

HFA is seeking a motivated Fire Protection Engineer I to join our team and contribute to fire protection and life safety system design across diverse projects. You will work with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams, developing sprinkler, alarm, underground piping, and life safety designs while gaining hands-on experience with code analysis, hydraulic calculations, and construction documentation.

You will collaborate with Architects and Engineers to produce quality construction

Qualifications

• BSME or BS Fire Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer status required.
• Experience with AutoCAD/REVIT and fire protection design standards.

Responsibilities

• Engineer will collaborate with Fire Protection Engineer and design lead to deliver construction documents for multiple project types.
• Lead small client teams or portions of larger projects using knowledge of fire protection and life safety systems.
• Develop and draft construction documents, perform design calculations, and solve design challenges with minimal oversight.
• Apply NFPA/IBC standards to simple projects and ensure compliance in documents.

Skills

Fire protection knowledge

Life safety knowledge

Project coordination

Hydraulic calculations

Education

BSME or BS Fire Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

HydraCad

AutoSPRINK

NFPA standards

Job description

We are seeking a motivated Fire Protection Engineer I to join our growing team and contribute to the design and coordination of fire protection and life safety systems for a variety of project types. This role is ideal for an engineer looking to expand their technical expertise while working alongside experienced Fire Protection Engineers and multidisciplinary design teams in a collaborative environment. The Fire Protection Engineer I will assist in developing fire sprinkler, fire alarm, underground piping, and life safety system designs while gaining hands‑on experience with code analysis, hydraulic calculations, construction documentation, and project coordination. Candidates should be detail-oriented, eager to solve technical challenges, and proficient with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, REVIT, HydraCad, or AutoSPRINK. This position offers strong opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and advancement while working on impactful and technically engaging projects.

About HFA - Employee Owned. People Powered.

HFA is a 100% employee-owned multidisciplinary architectural, engineering, and interior architecture firm who thrives in a people-first environment. Employee ownership isn't just a structure - it's a mindset that fuels everything we do. This mindset empowers us to think beyond our roles, pushing us to find innovative solutions that strengthen our client relationships and deepen our connections with our people internally. We believe that our people are our greatest asset which aligns with our culture code: We aspire to be a people-first culture of empowerment where talent thrives.

The ownership mindset also means that every team member is personally invested in the success of our projects and clients. This approach ensures that every decision aligns with our purpose: Leading our clients to fulfill their vision while building lasting partnerships.

With our focus on our people, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and a flexible work schedule. We provide our team members with professional development opportunities and learning stipends to pursue professional growth, and we take any chance we can get to recognize and reward our people for their amazing work.

Job Responsibilities:

• Engineer will work with Fire Protection Engineer and/or Fire Protection Design Lead to communicate with client, deliver completed construction documents, and assist in construction administration as required for most project types.
• Engineer has the ability to lead a small client/client team (1-2 staff), small projects, or portions of a large project utilizing their experience and education in Fire Protection and/or Fire alarm systems, controls, and knowledge of national standards
• Engineer should utilize education and experience to independently develop, implement, and draft construction documents for most project and/or project type (or at least major portions), as well as, solve medium to difficult design challenges that arise on a project or simple projects.
• Engineer should be able to apply their knowledge gained through experience and knowledge of recognized national standards to simple projects, with minimal oversight from a more Senior Engineer or Fire Protection Design Team Lead.
• Engineer should have a thorough knowledge of software assisting programs, such as HydraCad or AutoSPRINK and be able to apply throughout the design process. Engineer should have a basic understanding of NFPA codes and how it impacts design.
• Engineer should be able to design and draft fire sprinkler, fire alarm and fire protection underground supply piping systems, including riser diagrams, for small to medium projects.
• Engineer should have sufficient knowledge of life safety codes / standards and be able to apply towards the design of life safety documents.

Job Duties:

• Engineer should be proficient in AutoCAD and/or REVIT. Engineer should be able to train new employees on company standards, drafting techniques, and answer most technical design questions on simple projects for Fire Sprinkler and Alarm, as well as, Life Safety. Engineer should possess a basic understanding of national standards (IBC, IFC, NFPA).
• Engineer will work in a collaborative environment with Architects and other Engineers to develop construction documents based on a clients' requirements, including performing some project management functions, quality control, or other duties as necessary.
• Engineer should be able to provide a high level of quality control on all their projects and possibly others, for final review by a more Senior Engineer or Fire Protection Design Lead.
• Engineer should be able to select and design sprinkler/alarm systems and equipment, controls and provide hydraulic calculations with minimal supervision on simple systems.
• Engineer should be able to edit specifications for small to medium size projects.
• Engineer could have direct client contact, unless in a strictly technical role.
• Engineer will work with Fire Protection Design Lead to establish project budgets, if requested, and be able to work within budgets.

Education Requirements:

BSME, BS Fire Engineering or equivalent experience

Licensure Requirements:

Licensed Professional Engineer