Senior Fire Protection Engineer

DLR Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 177,320; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

DLR Group is looking for a Fire Protection Engineer in Chicago, IL. The position requires leading design efforts and collaborating closely with mechanical teams. You will be responsible for project management, budget development, and ensuring code compliance.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering, with over 7 years of experience and an active PE license. The role provides a competitive salary ranging from $100,000 to $177,320, alongside comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in fire protection system design.
• Active Fire Protection Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required.
• Strong working knowledge of building codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire protection engineering teams across multiple regions.
• Manage planning, execution, and delivery of design services.
• Develop scopes of work, budgets, and proposals.

Skills

Fire protection systems design

Project management

Communication

Technical leadership

Building codes knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related

Job description

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.

Position Summary

You will lead the design of fire protection systems and collaborate closely with the mechanical engineering team to develop engineering drawings and perform required calculations.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire protection engineering teams across multiple regions, providing technical leadership, staff oversight, mentorship, and project-specific support.
• Manage the planning, execution, and delivery of fire protection design services firmwide, ensuring schedules, milestones, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Develop fire protection scopes of work, project budgets, proposals, and design strategies across a diverse range of project types and market sectors.
• Prepare and review fire and life safety analyses, building code compliance reviews (IBC Chapters 1–10), and applicable NFPA standards.
• Oversee the production, coordination, and quality assurance of construction documents, technical reports, specifications, and plan review deliverables.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, vendors, and local and state authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to support permitting, approvals, and effective project execution.
• Lead construction administration activities including submittal reviews, site observations, construction meetings, and issue resolution during implementation.
• Support business development efforts through client relationship management, participation in interviews, and contributions to proposals/RFP responses.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering
• 7+ years of experience in the design and analysis of fire protection systems within the built environment
• Active Fire Protection Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required.
• Demonstrated experience with both new construction and renovation/retrofit of fire protection systems.
• Strong working knowledge of International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and applicable NFPA codes and standards.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders.

Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills. The suggested pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $177,320 USD.

Equal Opportunity Employment

DLR Group is a proud Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.