Research Project Scientist/Engineer

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety; Richburg (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plan

401k/IRA

Life insurance

Paid time off

Family leave

Disability insurance

Training & development

Job summary

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) invites applications for an early-career Wildfire Research Engineer. This role supports research on how wildfire exposures affect structures, helping to plan and execute laboratory, field, and full-scale studies focused on ignition, fire spread, materials, and practical mitigation strategies.

The position collaborates with IBHS teams to advance wildfire resilience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in fire protection engineering or closely related field.
• Graduate research involving wildfire, fire science, building performance, or data analysis preferred.
• Proficiency with analytical tools such as Python, MATLAB, R, LabVIEW, GIS, or C++.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of laboratory, full-scale, and field research projects.
• Conduct experiments involving wildfire exposures (embers, radiant heat, direct flame).
• Assist with developing test plans, procedures, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with laboratory, instrumentation, construction, and safety teams for testing.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and quality-check experimental and field data.
• Use programming, statistical, or data-visualization tools to analyze findings.
• Participate in field studies and post-wildfire investigations.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, figures, and summaries.
• Translate research findings into practical wildfire-resilience guidance.
• Follow all research, laboratory, and safety requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Research orientation

Education

Master’s degree in fire protection engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

LabVIEW

GIS

C++

Job description

Position Summary

The Wildfire Research Engineer is an early-career position responsible for supporting IBHS research into how wildfire exposures affect homes, businesses, and communities. Working with IBHS researchers and Research Center teams, this position helps plan and conduct laboratory and field research focused on structure ignition, fire spread, building materials, and practical wildfire mitigation strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of laboratory, full-scale, and field research projects.
• Conduct experiments involving wildfire exposures such as wind-blown embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
• Assist with developing research scopes, test plans, experimental procedures, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with laboratory, instrumentation, construction, and safety teams to prepare and conduct testing.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and quality-check experimental and field data.
• Use programming, statistical, or data-visualization tools to analyze research findings.
• Participate in field studies and post-wildfire investigations.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, figures, and research summaries.
• Support the translation of research findings into practical wildfire-resilience guidance.
• Follow all research, laboratory, and safety requirements.

• Master’s degree in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, materials science, forestry, atmospheric science, or a closely related field required.
• Graduate research involving wildfire, fire science, building performance, experimental testing, heat transfer, combustion, or data analysis preferred.
• Proficiency with at least one analytical tool, such as Python, MATLAB, R, LabVIEW, GIS, or C++.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development