Senior Fire Alarm Systems Designer

Wachter, Inc.; Lowell (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Vision

Life & AD&D insurance

Paid vacation

401(k) retirement plan

Per-diem for overnight travel

Job summary

Wachter, Inc. is seeking a Fire Alarm Designer in our Engineering and Design department to design and develop fire alarm systems for commercial and industrial projects.

You will ensure compliance with NFPA codes, AHJ requirements, and customer specifications while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates hold NICET Level 4 Fire Alarm certification or Level 3 with intent to pursue Level 4.

Qualifications

• NICET Level 4 Fire Alarm Systems certification required, or equivalent experience in fire alarm system design and engineering
• Minimum 2 years of experience designing commercial and/or industrial fire alarm systems
• Strong working knowledge of NFPA 72, NFPA 70 (NEC), IBC, IFC, and applicable local codes and AHJ requirements
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and other design software used for fire alarm system layout and documentation
• Experience developing complete construction drawing packages, including floor plans, riser diagrams, battery calculations, voltage drop calculations, device layouts, and equipment schedules
• Familiarity with major fire alarm manufacturers such as Notifier, Siemens, Edwards, Simplex, Honeywell, Bosch, or equivalent platforms
• Ability to review architectural, electrical, and mechanical drawings and coordinate fire alarm designs with other building systems
• Experience supporting permit submissions and responding to plan review comments from AHJs and third-party reviewers
• Strong understanding of voice evacuation systems, mass notification systems, and networked fire alarm systems
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining design quality
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams

Responsibilities

• Design complete fire alarm and emergency communications systems in accordance with NFPA, NEC, IBC, IFC, local codes, and customer specifications
• Prepare detailed construction drawings, submittal packages, device layouts, riser diagrams, sequence of operations, battery calculations, voltage drop calculations, and equipment schedules
• Review architectural, electrical, mechanical, and site plans to develop code-compliant fire alarm system designs
• Coordinate with project managers, field technicians, customers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and other stakeholders throughout the design and permitting process
• Support permit applications and respond to plan review comments, requested revisions, and code compliance inquiries
• Ensure all designs meet customer requirements, project schedules, budgets, and applicable regulatory standards
• Provide technical support to installation teams during project execution and assist with troubleshooting design-related issues
• Collaborate with sales and estimating teams to develop scopes of work, equipment recommendations, and design concepts during project planning
• Maintain current knowledge of fire alarm codes, emerging technologies, manufacturer requirements, and industry best practices
• Conduct design reviews and quality control checks to ensure accuracy and consistency across project documentation
• Support commissioning activities and final project closeout documentation as required
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards
• Work closely with national account customers and internal teams to ensure standardized designs across multiple locations and jurisdictions
• Identify potential project risks, code issues, and constructability concerns early in the design process and recommend solutions
• Maintain organized project records, drawings, revisions, and documentation throughout the project lifecycle

Skills

NFPA knowledge

AutoCAD

Revit

Bluebeam

AHJ coordination

Multi-site design

MS Office

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

NICET Level 4 Fire Alarm Systems certification

Equivalent fire alarm design experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

Wachter, Inc. is seeking a Fire Alarm Designer in our Engineering and Design department to design and develop fire alarm systems for commercial and industrial projects.

You will ensure compliance with NFPA codes, AHJ requirements, and customer specifications while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates hold NICET Level 4 Fire Alarm certification or Level 3 with intent to pursue Level 4.