Senior Fire Protection Engineer (#9BCTLJP00003289)

Smart Synergies; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart Synergies is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead fire protection design for semiconductor, AI datacenter, and life sciences projects in Houston. Responsibilities include hydraulic calculations, NFPA-based system selection, and cross-disciplinary coordination.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in relevant industries, with strong leadership and regulatory coordination skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering required.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in semiconductor or AI data center industries.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA, ASME, IBC, IMC codes and standards.
• Experience specifying fire-protection systems and hydraulics calculations.
• Ability to coordinate subcontracts and work with multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical tasks over engineers and subgroups.
• Coordinate design activities with clients, suppliers, and contractors.
• Mentor designers and drafters on-the-job.
• Develop engineering procedures and design guides.
• Communicate complex issues to project management.

Skills

Fire protection design

Hydraulic calculations

Code compliance

Team leadership

Regulatory coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Plans, schedules, conducts, and coordinates detailed phases of engineering work in mechanical discipline in a project or staff group.
• Performs work that involves conventional engineering practice but may include complex
• features such as resolving conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials and/or difficult coordination requirements.
• Performs work using Standard Application Programs (SAPs).
• Plans, coordinates, or prepares equipment or work specifications, material requisition, technical bid evaluations and award recommendations
• Coordinates engineering efforts in assigned areas between specialty and other engineering groups or disciplines, with the client, suppliers, and contractors and between other groups.
• Assumes a lead technical role over other engineers or project subgroups for completing specific tasks as directed.
• Communicates complex technical issues and recommends solutions to Supervisor and/or project management.
• Supports function initiatives of developing Engineering Department Procedures (EDPs),
• design guides,
• appropriate
• Standard Computer Applications (SAPs) and administrative practices.
• Mentors designers and drafters by providing appropriate on-the-job training for their professional development.
• Supports the creation of a work environment, supported by leadership, which fosters openness, trust,
• communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) and 10 years of relevant work experience in the
• semiconductor, AI Datacenter and/or life-sciences / pharma industries.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent from an accredited university or college (or international equivalent), with minimum 10 (ten) years related to fire protection systems in Semiconductor / AI Datacenter or Life Sciences / Pharma industries.
• Capable of independently specifying fire protection systems, including identifying the most appropriate sprinkler system based on project needs and specifying the necessary fire protection equipment such as fire-water pumps and fire-water storage tank capacities to meet the fire water demand. Ability to perform these calculations and hydraulics to come up with the fire water pipe header size.
• Experience in wet pipe systems per NFPA 13″ Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 14 (Standard for installation of standpipe and Hose system) & FM standards.
• Experience in Fire-protection equipment such as pumps, storage tank, and deluge systems.
• Experience in Cooling Tower Deluge System sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 214.
• Knowledgeable in the testing requirements of a fire-protection system including acceptance tests as required and outlined in NFPA 13 and ensuring compliance to requirements of local regulatory authorities including AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction). Ability to coordinate the regulatory approvals with owner, project team, subcontractor and relevant regulatory authorities.
• Experience in managing engineering subcontracts with design and delivery per contract requirements.
• Knowledge of codes and standards applicable to the design of mechanical systems including ASME, IBC, IMC, and NFPA.
• Thorough knowledge of discipline engineering techniques, the design of engineered systems, and engineering and design calculations.
• Thorough understanding of the roles played by other departments on projects including construction practices and the economics involved.
• Able to troubleshoot issues in a field or job site setting confidently, and to provide instruction on how to resolve issues identified.
• Demonstrated ability to cope with conflicting deadlines, frequent interruptions, and multiple tasks.