Senior Fire Protection Engineer

Clark Nexsen, Inc.; Virginia Beach (VA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking firm as a Senior Fire Protection Engineer, where you will lead innovative fire protection design projects for diverse facilities. This role offers the chance to shape the future of safety engineering while collaborating with talented professionals. You'll manage multiple projects, ensuring compliance with safety codes, and provide technical guidance to your team. With a commitment to quality and client satisfaction, this position is ideal for those looking to make a significant impact in the engineering field. Enjoy a flexible work environment that fosters collaboration and personal growth.

Benefits

Flexible Work Schedule

Professional Development Opportunities

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Team Building Activities

Mentorship Programs

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in fire protection engineering with leadership roles.
• Fully licensed Fire Protection Engineer in at least one US state.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire protection design and documentation for multi-discipline projects.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and client relationships.

Skills

Fire Protection Engineering

Project Management

Client Communication

Quality Control

Leadership

Technical Guidance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering

Post-graduate degree in Fire Protection Engineering

Tools

Fire Protection Analysis Software

Current Company Software Programs

Job description

The Senior Fire Protection Engineer position is a technical role within the firm focused on project execution for a variety of multi- and single-discipline facility design projects. The Senior Fire Protection Engineer will be responsible for performing multiple aspects of fire protection engineering services on multi-discipline building design projects of small to large scope for commercial and government facilities, as well as single discipline fire protection engineering projects of small to large scope. Additionally, the Senior Fire Protection Engineer will provide leadership to the fire protection team and represent the Department Director as required.

General responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Performing all aspects of fire protection design as a Senior Fire Protection Engineer, including conceptual studies, programming, schematic documents, design development documents, and construction documents.
• Concurrently leading several projects of moderate complexity and scope when required by schedule and/or resource constraints.
• Meeting with clients to prepare and/or validate proposed scope of services.
• Managing the fire protection portion of multi-discipline projects and working with assigned Project Managers to meet project budget, schedule, goals, and objectives.
• Coordinating, supervising, and communicating all aspects of the fire protection design within multi-discipline teams to ensure that design details integrate properly with all other disciplines.
• Communication with the Contractor on Design-Build projects to verify suitability of systems selected.
• Managing and supervising fire protection support services associated with the bidding process, including preparing addenda and amendments and opening and tabulating bids.
• Managing and supervising fire protection support services associated with the construction phase, including field visits, answering RFIs, reviewing shop drawings, and preparing record drawings.
• Ensuring staff compliance with quality control policies and procedures.
• Working with, responding to, and taking direction from the Department Director, Managing Principals, Project Managers, Design Managers, Operations Directors, and senior management.
• Assisting in presenting projects to clients, contractors, project team members, AHJ’s, and members of the public through all stages of the project.
• Actively supporting Company marketing and business development activities.
• Establishing and maintaining positive client relationships.
• Providing technical guidance to fire protection staff.
• Assisting the Department Director in developing new and/or revised processes and procedures.
• Representing the Department Director (DD) when the DD is unavailable.
• Leading staff training sessions.
• Providing input to the Department Director on staff annual performance reviews.
• Applying engineering techniques to design, install, modify, analyze, repair, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment.
• Reading and interpreting blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
• Conferring with engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, and provide technical information.
• Researching and analyzing customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, and other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
• Specifying system components or directing modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications.
• Investigating equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation, and to make recommendations to maintenance crew.
• Performing work with a high degree of latitude and handling the most complex issues.
• Possessing expert knowledge of subject matter.
• Providing leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring.
• May act as a lead or first-level supervisor.
• Performing work independently.
• Considered a high-level specialist who regularly interacts and works with senior management.
• Using advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work. Next step is typically management.
• Performing work under minimal supervision.
• Handling complex issues and problems, and referring only the most complex issues to higher-level staff.
• Possessing comprehensive knowledge of subject matter.
• Providing leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring.
• May act as a lead or first-level supervisor.

Project responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Performing Project Manager duties as assigned.
• Serving in the role of Design Manager on projects as assigned.
• Responsible for discipline design and documentation of fire protection systems.
• Responsible for discipline coordination of plans and specifications.
• Developing discipline design approach and methodology.
• Developing discipline project plan and production methodology.
• Preparing accurate, complete, and code-compliant drawings and specifications for schematic, design development, and construction document submittals.
• Reviewing calculations and all work products produced by Engineers, EIT’s, and designers assigned to the project.
• Reviewing all drawings produced by design staff assigned to the project.
• Preparing scope and fee proposals for the fire protection portion of multi-discipline projects or single-discipline, fire protection-only projects.
• Assisting MP and PM in development of project proposals, budgets & schedules.
• Reviewing and approving discipline code analysis.
• Reviewing and approving discipline specifications.
• Responding to RFI’s, Dr Check comments, etc.
• Leading discipline bidding and construction administration activities.
• Performing discipline QA/QC reviews on assigned projects.
• Back-checking discipline QC/gray team comments.
• Monitoring and adhering to project budget & schedule.

Education, Technology, and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from an ABET accredited curriculum or a post-graduate degree in Fire Protection Engineering is preferred.
• Effectively utilizing current company software programs for word processing, e-mail, accounting, and information management.
• Must be a fully licensed Fire Protection Engineer in at least one US state or jurisdiction, preferably in the local jurisdiction, by passing the Fire Protection Engineering written examination.
• Experience as a lead designer or Fire Protection Engineer in federal, state, municipal, healthcare, commercial, higher education, or similar projects plus experience in Design/Build and CM at Risk project delivery methods is desirable.
• A Senior Fire Protection Engineer should typically have 10 years or more of significant design and practice experience in a leadership role with an Engineering firm, contractor, government agency, or a multi-discipline Architectural & Engineering firm with substantial knowledge of applicable fire protection and life safety codes and standards.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Is known to clients as their go-to, writes fee proposals, operates as PM on Engineering led projects.
• Is recognized within the firm and by certification as a SME; Certifications might include LEED, GGP, CDT.
• Demonstrated experience in QC.
• Understanding of sustainable design principles and design practices with LEED AP accreditation desirable.
• Additional certifications such as CDT, CCS, or CCCA are encouraged to reflect personal growth in the profession and an ever-increasing knowledge base to enhance the design and documentation process.
• Active participation in NSPE, SFPE, NFPA or other related professional organizations is desirable.
• Working familiarity with design/production and fire protection analysis software to a point of being able to understand the capabilities and limitations of the programs and interact with the support staff in their use of the software is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Work is sedentary and often performed in an office setting. The work area is lighted, heated, and ventilated. This position may require extended periods of standing, sitting, as well as some repetitive movements, bending, and lifting of minimal weight. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Workplace Flexibility

We have selected two common days in the office to nurture collaboration and innovation and to support learning and growth through engagement with colleagues. We are asking everyone to be present on Mondays and Thursdays, with a required third day that will provide additional flexibility and be set between you and your supervisor (with consideration given to your project team members and clients). Our hope is that this schedule will offer the work-life balance that is desired by all, while providing consistent opportunities for face-to-face collaboration and mentorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)