Fire Protection Engineer (Structural) - Entry Level

Coffman-Engineers; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Coffman Engineers in San Diego is seeking an entry-level Structural Fire Protection Engineer with 0–3 years of experience. You will support fire protection and life-safety design for diverse projects, collaborating with civil and structural teams.

The role requires a civil/structural background, strong communication, and willingness to learn. Competitive salary, benefits, and growth within a multidisciplinary firm are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• EIT, NICET, and PE (preferred).
• Experience in the structural design of buildings or similar structures (preferred).
• Experience with software programs such as AutoCAD, ETABS, RISA, and Microsoft Office.
• Design experience with steel, concrete, masonry, wood, and light gauge steel (preferred).
• Background in Fire Protection (preferred).
• General building construction knowledge.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills; proactive and motivated.

Responsibilities

• Understand structural building systems, assemblies and components.
• Provide fire and life safety code consulting for relevant ICC codes and NFPA standards.
• Assist in consulting for internal clients using Fire Protection Engineering skills (e.g., suppression systems, detection, egress analysis).
• Develop fire models and smoke/pressurization analyses.
• Review and advise on life safety, building, and fire code compliance.
• Perform structural calculations based on fire exposure and heat transfer conditions.
• Participate in internal and client meetings; collaborate across offices.
• Attend local and national trade organizations such as SFPE and NFPA.

Skills

Structural engineering concepts

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

EIT

NICET

PE (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

ETABS

RISA

Microsoft Office

Job description

Fire Protection Engineer (Structural) - Entry Level

• Full-time

At Coffman Engineers, we serve as both prime consultant and sub consultant on projects large and small, including commercial, retail, institutional, government, industrial, and project/construction management. Incorporated in 1979, we have employees in more than 24 locations serving clients across the United States and overseas.
To meet client objectives and to integrate our many disciplines, we can create teams comprised of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and corrosion control, as well as project/construction managers and professionals in a variety of specialty services. This ability has made us a leader in the engineering and construction communities, and has strengthened our reputation as being progressive, innovative, and a great place to work.

Designing a better world is more than a career, it’s a calling! Come work with a team of professionals dedicated to design excellence at Coffman Engineers’ San Diego office.

We are seeking a dynamic, innovative, and quality-oriented StructuralFire Protection Engineer with zero to three years of experience to perform consulting services for internal and external clients.

You must have a background in Civil / Structural Engineering, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills along with a high-level ability to manage multiple clients and projects at a given time. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, have a desire to learn and grow with a multidiscipline engineering team, and be excited to join in the fun.

Desired Skills and Duties

• Understand structural building systems, assemblies and components.
• Provide fire and life safety code consulting for relevant ICC (IBC, IFC, IMC) codes and NFPA standards.
• Able to assist in performing consulting services for internal clients, utilizing Fire Protection Engineering technical skills, including but not limited to: automatic suppression system design; fire detection, alarm and communication system design; code analysis; egress analysis; fire resistant construction analysis; smoke control analysis; as well as general fire protection and life safety concepts and research.
• Develop fire models, smoke control models/analysis, and pressurization models/analysis.
• Review and provide consulting for life safety, building, and fire code compliance.
• Perform structural calculations based on fire exposure conditions and heat transfer analysis.
• Participate in internal team meetings and external client meetings.
• Collaborate with multiple teams across multiple offices in a multidiscipline environment.
• Perform research and documentation for internal and external distribution.
• Attend and participate in local and national trade organizations, such as SFPE and NFPA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Engineering from an accredited college or university in Civil, Structural, Architectural and/or Fire Protection Engineering.
• EIT, NICET, and PE (preferred)
• Experience in the structural design of buildings or similar structures (preferred)
• Experience with computer software programs and analysis systems (such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RISA, ETABS, etc.)
• Design experience with various materials – steel and concrete, masonry, wood and light gauge steel (preferred)
• Background working in Fire Protection (preferred)
• General building construction knowledge
• Strong communication skills essential for a team-based and team-leading working environment.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills required for our fast-paced environment; must be highly motivated, proactive, and willing to take on new challenges.

Expected Annual Salary Range $75,000.00 - $90,000.00, based on knowledge and experience.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Why You Want To Work Here

Coffman Engineers is a company that truly focuses on its employees. We support and encourage individually tailored professional and technical advancement as well as personal growth. We offer an excellent salary/benefits package, a desirable location, and a professional office environment with the opportunity to work with a collaborative team. Our offices provide several engineering discipline services, which work together collaboratively to provide complete engineering design packages.

Coffman offers a flexible schedule and this position may be eligible for PTO, a fun office environment with a high-performing team and a fully stocked kitchen! We welcome the dedicated and the driven. Join us.

Don’t take our word for it. Check out what others are saying:

• 900+ employees serving clients throughout the U.S. and overseas from more than 24locations
• Multi-discipline engineering services plus corrosion control, commissioning and project/construction management
• Top 500 Design Firms, Engineering News-Record, 2022
• Top Workplace (Small), The San Diego Union-Tribune, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Best Places to Work (Large), San Diego Business Journal, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• “The List” for Engineering Firms, San Diego Business Journal, 2021,2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Applying

Thisposition is direct with Coffman Engineers; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state, or local law.