Fire Sprinkler Design Manager / P.E.

CareerPaths NW, LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

HSA with $600 company contribution

401(k) with Safe Harbor match

Paid time off and holidays

Company-paid life & AD&D insurance

Training, certifications, and CE

Job summary

CareerPaths NW, LLC is seeking an experienced Fire Sprinkler Design Manager in Seattle to lead a design team and stay actively involved in complex projects.

This hands‑on leadership role will set technical standards, manage workflow, and build a structured training program while supporting engineers pursuing their PE licensure.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of fire sprinkler design experience, including complex systems.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) preferred.
• NICET Level III or IV in water-based systems preferred.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or training designers.
• Strong NFPA knowledge and hydraulics expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the fire sprinkler design team with hands‑on involvement.
• Review drawings for code compliance, hydraulics, and constructability.
• Set design standards and review processes across the department.
• Manage workload, priorities, and deadlines for timely delivery.
• Stamp and submit packages to AHJs and coordinate with project teams.

Skills

Fire sprinkler design

Leadership

Mentoring

NFPA standards

AutoSprink

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

NICET Level III/IV

Tools

AutoSprink

Revit/BIM

Job description

Our client is a well-established fire protection contractor serving the Seattle area, delivering high-quality fire sprinkler design and installation services across a range of commercial and complex projects. They are known for their commitment to technical excellence, professional development, and a collaborative team culture.

They are seeking an experienced Fire Sprinkler Design Manager to lead and develop their sprinkler design team. This is a hands-on leadership role — not a purely administrative position. The ideal candidate will remain actively engaged in complex design work while simultaneously setting technical standards, managing workflow, and building a structured training and development program for the department. For a licensed Professional Engineer, this role also offers the unique opportunity to supervise and sign off on qualifying engineering hours for designers pursuing their own P.E. licensure.

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance (with the company covering approximately 90% of the employee premium on the HSA-qualified medical plan), a Health Savings Account with a $600 annual company contribution, a 401(k) with Safe Harbor employer match up to 3.5%, paid time off, eight paid holidays, company-paid life and AD&D insurance, and paid training, certifications, and continuing education. A company laptop, dual monitors, and design software are provided, along with paid P.E. and NICET renewal and professional membership dues.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the fire sprinkler design team, fostering technical growth and professional advancement
• Review sprinkler drawings for code compliance, hydraulics, efficiency, and constructability
• Establish and maintain consistent design standards and review processes across the department
• Manage design workload, assignments, priorities, and deadlines to ensure timely project delivery
• Design complex fire sprinkler projects as needed, maintaining active involvement in technical work
• Stamp and submit compliant design packages to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
• Coordinate closely with project management, purchasing, and field leadership teams
• Develop structured training programs for junior and entry-level designers
• Guide designers in progressing toward NICET certification and greater technical proficiency
• Continuously improve design processes with the goal of increasing first-pass AHJ approvals and reducing field rework

Qualifications

• 7+ years of fire sprinkler design experience, including complex commercial systems
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) — strongly preferred
• Candidates holding NICET Level III or IV – Water-Based Systems Layout will also be considered
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or formally training sprinkler designers
• Strong working knowledge of NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 14, 20, and 24
• Strong hydraulic calculation and fire sprinkler system design expertise
• Proficiency with AutoSprink or comparable fire sprinkler design software
• Experience preparing and submitting design packages to AHJs
• Previous design management or department leadership experience is preferred
• Revit, BIM, and 3D coordination experience is a plus
• Field installation or project management experience is a plus

If you are a technically strong fire sprinkler design professional with a passion for leadership, mentorship, and building high-performing teams, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact. Our client is committed to investing in the right candidate's continued growth and professional success.