Principal Health and Safety Fire Protection Engineer

Society of Fire Protection Engineers; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits day one (health, dental,

401k match

5 weeks PTO

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Society of Fire Protection Engineers seeks a senior fire protection engineer to lead protection design for facilities and processes. You will develop specifications, ensure compliance with NFPA/OSHA/FM standards, and work with architects, engineers and contractors. Expect 40–60% travel and active engagement with regulatory authorities.

The role emphasizes safety leadership, PDCA-aligned health and safety management, and the ability to identify root causes in investigations to drive improvements.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or equivalent in Mechanical/Civil/Electrical/Fire Protection.
• MS in Engineering with related experience (sprinkler design or insurer field).
• PE or related certification is required.
• Knowledge of NFPA, OSHA, and FM standards.
• Health and Safety Management Systems based on PDCA cycle.
• Audit techniques and strong safety leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop fire protection specifications for manufacturing and non-manufacturing operations.
• Participate in Disaster Prevention Governance Committee as fire protection SME.
• Review third party loss control inspection reports and comment.
• Advise architects and engineers on fire prevention and compliance.
• Direct purchase, modification, installation, and operation of fire protection systems.
• Conduct fire investigations to determine root causes and prevention.
• Perform risk assessments and feasibility studies for new tech risks.
• Maintain alignment with local AHJ and safety regulations.
• Consolidate risks and track mitigation KPIs across sites.
• Provide training materials and conduct fire protection training.

Skills

Safety leadership

Audit techniques

PDCA health & safety

NFPA/OSHA/FM standards knowledge

Interpret standards and codes

Interpret drawings and blueprints

Contractor management

Education

BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Fire Protection) or equivalent

MS in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Fire Protection) or equivalent

Job description

General Health & Safety Fire Protection Engineering work encompasses activities related to the environment including the broader community impacted by hazards including:

Developing and implementing health and safety programs, processes, and procedures.

Developing, maintaining, and improving an accident and investigation process to identify root causes and perform corrective actions.

Delivering training, learning and development requirements to employees.

Ensuring the organization is fully compliant with all legislative and organization requirements for safeguarding the environment, while protecting lives and assets.

Maintaining relationships with the community, groups, and other stakeholders impacted by the environmental performance of the organization.

Responsibilities

Includes all operations reporting to Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

Develop company fire protection specifications for manufacturing and non-manufacturing operations.

Participate in the company’s Disaster Prevention Governance Committee and act as the fire protection subject matter expert.

Review third party’s lost control inspection reports for comments.

Assist locations in interpreting third party recommendation and assist with resolution.

Design fire detection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems.

Inspect existing locations or new building designs to determine fire protection system requirements and potential problems in areas such as water supplies, exit locations, and construction materials.

Advise architects, builders, and other construction personnel on fire prevention equipment and techniques, and on fire code and standard interpretation and compliance.

Prepare and write reports detailing specific fire prevention and protection issues such as work performed and proposed review schedules.

Assist in fire investigations and determine root cause and future prevention measures.

Direct the purchase, modification, installation, maintenance, and operation of fire protection systems.

Consult with authorities to discuss safety regulations and to recommend changes as necessary.

Company representative when engaging with local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in defining and complying with local jurisdictional matters.

Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to present or obtain information regarding fire prevention and protection.

Develop training materials and conduct training sessions on fire protection.

Evaluate fire department performance and the laws and regulations affecting fire prevention or fire safety.

Help to build up the development of a Center of Excellence providing support to businesses (Manufacturing, Logistic, Retail,) regarding system/technical expertise.

Support the validation process of machines and working environments from Disaster Prevention and machine safety perspective.

Cooperate with central Engineering subject Matter Experts for specific machine/process matters.

Consolidate outstanding risks, track progress of mitigation plans, developing appropriate KPI’s.

Perform Disaster Prevention and machine safety audits across businesses E2E.

Support External Bodies for the periodical assessment and support to building and tracking improvement plans.

Perform feasibility studies for new technologies risk assessment and mitigation plans.

Define and promote education programs and support deployment across businesses.

Monitor standards, regulations, directives evolution and reflect changes into BSEMIA management system.

Cooperate with Central Engineering to the continuous update and upgrade of the existing management system and technical documents.

Join the Global teams to collaborate on the pertinent streams.

Maintain subject matter expertise on industry trends and emerging technologies.

Evaluate the company’s need to participate in National Standards setting organizations in order to participate/ influence future standard setting direction.

Job requires a minimum of 40-60% travel.

Minimum Qualifications

Typically requires a BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Fire Protection) or equivalent plus 8+ years’ full time applicable experience (sprinkler design engineer or insurer field engineer). MS in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Fire Protection) plus 6+ years’ full time applicable experience (sprinkler design engineer or insurer field engineer).

PE or other related certifications required.

Knowledge and experience of NFPA, OSHA, and FM related standards.

knowledge of Health and Safety Management Systems based on PDCA cycle.

Audit techniques.

H&S European Regulatory framework for Equipment related Directives.

Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.

Ability to interpret standards, codes, hydraulics, and apply practicality within limitations/restrictions to achieve best protection system(s).

Ability to interpret drawings and blueprints, and to discuss with architects/engineers during design phase to achieve greatest protection while mitigating expense.

Provide management over 3rd party contractors designing/installing/maintaining protection systems of various complexities.

Track record of strong safety leadership and performance.

Excellent track record of achieving tough, demanding goals.

A demonstrated ability to evaluate, plan, implement and influence change throughout the organization to ensure superior results.

Compensation Package, PTO, Benefits

$145k-$150k, plus 15% annual bonus. Yearly market adjustments.

• Full benefits day one (health, dental, vision).
• 401k match program
• 5 weeks of PTO
• Full relocation assistance package offered for candidates not located in the Nashville, TN area.

Hybrid Schedule-In office Tuesday-Thursday; work remote Monday and Friday.

Will report to the corporate office in downtown Nashville, TN.