Plumbing / Fire Protection Project Engineer

Salas O'Brien; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

5 weeks paid time off

Wellness programs

Professional development support

Job summary

Salas O'Brien in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Project Engineer to design plumbing and fire protection systems for building projects. You will collaborate with internal teams and external clients to develop efficient, code-compliant designs while supporting quality, schedule, and budget objectives.

The role requires 2–5 years of design experience, EIT or pursuing P.E., and strong technical judgment. This position includes travel to project sites (about 25%) and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or related discipline.
• EIT required or actively pursuing; P.E. track preferred.
• 2-5 years of plumbing and/or fire protection system design experience in building projects.

Responsibilities

• Design plumbing and fire protection systems for buildings.
• Coordinate with architects, MEP engineers, and other project consultants.
• Review drawings for routing, penetrations, and equipment space requirements.
• Perform pipe sizing, flow and pressure calculations, and hydraulic analyses.
• Support project delivery from schematic design through construction administration.

Skills

System modeling

Hydraulic calculations

BIM (Revit)

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering / Fire Protection Engineering

EIT (Engineer-in-Training) required

P.E. track preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The Plumbing / Fire Protection Project Engineer is responsible for the design, coordination, and documentation of plumbing and fire protection systems for building projects. This role requires strong technical skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to support project delivery from schematic design through construction administration.

Job Summary

The Project Engineer works collaboratively with internal teams and external clients to develop efficient, code-compliant system designs while supporting quality, schedule, and budget objectives.

General Duties

• Prepare plumbing and fire protection system designs, including layouts, calculations, and specifications
• Perform engineering computations such as pipe sizing, flow and pressure calculations, fixture unit analysis, and preliminary hydraulic calculations
• Develop system concepts during early design phases and refine designs through construction documents
• Review architectural and structural drawings to coordinate system routing, equipment space requirements, and penetrations
• Research and apply applicable codes and standards, including NY State Codes, NFPA, IPC, IMC, and related regulations
• Coordinate with architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, and other project consultants
• Participate in design meetings and clearly communicate technical requirements
• Support development of plumbing and fire protection scopes of work, schedules, and equipment selections
• Assist senior staff in evaluating design alternatives and cost implications
• Review shop drawings and submittals for conformance with design intent
• Respond to contractor RFIs and provide clarifications during construction
• Conduct site visits to observe installation progress and verify compliance with drawings and specifications
• Assist with functional testing, punch lists, and project closeout documentation
• Prepare design narratives, calculation packages, reports, and project correspondence
• Ensure work complies with internal QA/QC procedures and maintain organized project files

Skills

• Experience with system modeling, hydraulic calculations, and BIM (Revit) preferred
• Familiarity with NFPA standards, building codes, and engineering best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or related discipline
• Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) required or actively pursuing; P.E. track preferred
• 2-5 years of plumbing and/or fire protection system design experience in building projects

Travel

Travel to project sites may be required on an occasional basis. 25%

Location:

Buffalo, New York & Rochester, New York

The expected base salary range for this role is $72,500 - $87,360 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• 5 weeks of paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here - www.salasobrien.com/benefits

About Us

Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow's requirements are today's opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O'Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O'Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice

Salas O'Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.