Principal Fire Protection Engineer

Jensen Hughes; New York (NY); On-site; USD 175,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Healthcare coverage

Incentives vary by location

Job summary

Jensen Hughes is seeking a Principal Fire Protection Engineer in the United States to deliver senior-level fire protection and life safety consulting across diverse market sectors, serving as a trusted client advisor and mentor within the practice.

The role requires an NY-appropriate P.E. license and 15+ years of experience in complex projects, with the ability to interpret codes, prepare reports, and lead client engagements while contributing to business growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• P.E. license (New York preferred).
• Fire Protection Engineering PE preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive fire protection engineering, life safety, and code consulting experience.
• Strong knowledge of building, fire, and life safety codes and standards, including NY state/local requirements.
• Experience with fire protection system design, life safety consulting, code compliance, performance-based design, and occupancy-specific evaluations.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and provide technical leadership on complex projects.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical resource for fire protection and life safety projects, develop strategies, analyze codes, and perform design assessments.
• Interpret and apply building, fire, and life safety codes and standards at local, state, and national levels.
• Prepare technical reports, analyses, and code compliance documentation.
• Act as primary client contact on key engagements and provide strategic guidance.
• Support project delivery, QA, and technical reviews.
• Contribute to business development, client relationships, and proposals.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and support staff growth.
• Maintain and grow orders in selective markets.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Fire Protection Engineering Pe preferred

Job description

Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk-based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more.

Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry-leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.

At Jensen Hughes, we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization.

Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they're passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.

Job Overview

Jensen Hughes is seeking a Principal Fire Protection Engineer to provide senior-level fire protection and life safety consulting expertise for complex projects across a variety of market sectors. This role serves as a trusted advisor to clients, delivering innovative, code-compliant solutions while supporting business growth, mentorship, and technical excellence within the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical resource for fire protection and life safety consulting projects, developing and reviewing fire protection and life safety strategies, code analysis, performance-based design studies and alternative methods assessments for new and existing facilities.
• Interpret and apply applicable building, fire, and life safety codes, standards, and regulations, including local, state, and national requirements.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, and code compliance documentation.
• Serve as the primary client contact on key engagements and provide strategic guidance throughout project execution.
• Support project delivery, quality assurance, and technical review efforts.
• Contribute to business development activities, client relationship management, and proposal development.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and support the continued growth of technical staff.
• Maintain and grow orders in selective markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) (New York preferred).
• Fire Protection Engineering PE preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive fire protection engineering, life safety, and code consulting experience, including responsibility for complex projects and direct client engagement.
• Strong knowledge of applicable building, fire, and life safety codes and standards, including New York State and local jurisdictional requirements.
• Experience with fire protection system design, life safety consulting, code compliance, performance-based design, and occupancy-specific fire and life safety evaluations.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and provide technical leadership on complex projects.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large, complex commercial, healthcare, mission-critical, higher education, mixed-use, or high-rise projects.
• Established relationships within the architecture, engineering, construction, and development community.
• Active participation in professional organizations such as SFPE, NFPA, ICC, or related industry groups.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record and providing peer review or technical oversight for major projects.

National Pay Range

$175,000 - $215,000 USD

Jensen Hughes offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a retirement plan, healthcare coverage, and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position and location.

Jensen Hughes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

At Jensen Hughes, we embrace innovation and understand that people are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and other generative platforms to learn, prepare and communicate. We have provided some guidelines regarding the responsible use of AI in the recruitment process.