Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer

Optima Engineering; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/Hybrid work schedules

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Employee Stock Ownership

Discretionary bonuses

Ongoing education opportunities

Job summary

Optima Engineering is seeking a Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineering Designer in Asheville, NC. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and 5-10 years of experience in MEP building systems design. Responsibilities include supporting proposal processes, conducting site visits, and collaborating on design and construction documents. Choose Optima for a meaningful role in creating impactful designs within a supportive, employee-owned environment offering flexible work schedules, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–10 years of experience in MEP building systems design.
• Ability to obtain PE in North Carolina within 6 months.
• Understanding plumbing and fire protection systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the proposal process with design options and schedules.
• Perform site visits for assessment of existing conditions.
• Collaborate on construction drawings and calculations.

Skills

Proficiency in Revit

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Strong communication skills

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Registration as Professional Engineer (PE) in NC

Job description

At Optima Engineering, an employee‑owned MEP consulting firm, we focus on delivering high‑quality mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design solutions for buildings across the Southeast. Our projects include higher education, municipal, K‑12, and commercial facilities.

We are seeking a Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineering Designer who is passionate about creating thoughtful and efficient designs, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and delivering projects that positively impact our clients and communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 5‑10 years of experience in MEP building systems design for higher education, municipal, K‑12, and/or commercial facilities
• Registration as Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of North Carolina, ability to obtain your PE in North Carolina within 6 months or relevant experience
• Proficiency in Revit and/or AutoCAD required
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills

Responsibilities

• Support the proposal process by providing input on design options, schedules, and code reviews
• Perform site visits to existing facilities to assess current conditions for renovation or addition projects
• Collaborate with project managers and multidisciplinary teams to prepare construction drawings and calculations using AutoCAD or Revit
• Conduct quality control reviews to ensure deliverables meet client expectations and firm standards
• Coordinate across disciplines and agencies to manage final design reviews and responses to comments
• Participate in the construction phase, including submittal review, RFI responses, field observations, and closeout documentation

Technical Skills

• Understanding of plumbing and fire protection systems, including sanitary and vent systems, storm systems, process waste, domestic water, lab and process gas systems, and sprinkler design (wet, dry, and pre‑action)
• Perform plumbing system design and sizing (water, waste, storm, fuel systems, med gas, etc.) and fixture selection
• Design zone layouts and riser diagrams for building sprinkler systems
• Produce complete plumbing and fire protection drawing packages (plans, details, specifications, life safety)

Why Work at Optima Engineering

Optima Engineering is a 30‑year‑old, employee‑owned, multi‑discipline engineering firm with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and Greenville, South Carolina. We provide clients with comprehensive services—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, technology/low voltage, lighting design, and commissioning—across diverse markets such as mission critical, education, healthcare, commercial, and government. Recognized four times by the Charlotte Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work, we take pride in fostering a people‑first culture where collaboration, innovation, and professional growth thrive. Our mission is to deliver reliable, high‑quality engineering solutions for our clients while creating a rewarding and supportive environment for our team.

Benefit Highlights

• Employee‑Owned Company
• Flexible/Hybrid work schedules with early Fridays year‑round
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage; Flexible Spending Account; financial and estate planning assistance; and other additional benefits
• Multi‑tiered Retirement Plan including Employer 401(k) contributions, Profit Sharing, and Employee Stock Ownership (an additional retirement benefit funded entirely by the company)
• Discretionary bonuses throughout the year
• Ongoing education and professional development opportunities
• Frequent volunteer and community involvement opportunities

Optima Engineering is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants—including individuals with disabilities and veterans—are encouraged to apply. Optima Engineering participates in the E‑Verify employment authorization program. For more information, please refer to our website.