Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Designer

Interface; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Employee Ownership (ESOP)

Robust Benefits (401k, health)

Generous Time Off

Purpose-Driven Culture

Career Development

Job summary

Interface Engineering seeks a Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Designer to lead design of water-based and special hazard fire protection systems in diverse projects. You will perform hydraulic calculations, code analyses, and evaluate existing systems while interfacing with clients to ensure top-tier protection designs.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years of fire protection consulting experience, deep NFPA/I-Codes knowledge, and CAD proficiency (Revit, AutoCAD).

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in fire protection system consulting and design.
• Expert knowledge of NFPA standards and I-Codes.
• Specialization in fire sprinkler systems, code consulting, and other water-based systems design.
• Design lead experience.
• Willingness to travel for site visits, meetings, and witness testing.
• Working knowledge of computer aided design programs (Revit, Autosprink for Revit, AutoCAD).

Responsibilities

• Design water-based or special hazard fire protection systems.
• Perform hydraulic and water supply calculations.
• Conduct building code analysis.
• Evaluate existing fire protection and alarm systems.
• Interact with clients and stakeholders.
• Select and evaluate fire protection products.
• Collaborate with team members to deliver projects.

Skills

Water-based design

Leadership / design lead

Travel for site visits

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate in Fire/Mech/Elec Engineering

NICET certification in Fire Alarm/Water-Based Systems

PE in Fire Protection

Tools

Revit

Autosprink for Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

Position:Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Designer

Location: Oakland, CA

Job Id:1189

# of Openings:1

Join a People-First, Employee-Owned Firm That’s Redefining Flexibility and Growth

At Interface Engineering, we believe your career should be as dynamic and rewarding as the projects you support. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we’re proud to offer ourCollaboration from Homepolicy—giving you the flexibility of a hybrid schedule (2 days/week in-office) while staying connected to a team that values innovation, inclusion, and impact.

Why Interface?

We’re not just engineers—we’re collaborators, mentors, and trailblazers in high-performance design. OurPathway to Leadershipprogram offers a transparent, personalized roadmap for career advancement, empowering you to grow in the direction that excites you most.

Our Culture

Interface has the company culture and work environment you have been seeking! You’ll find a workplace with a culture of fun, superior work/life balance benefits, expansive personal development opportunities, innovative technology, and great relationships. You’ll work alongside MEP industry leaders who will help you develop your own thriving career path. Our work takes us around the globe and on a steady growth curve. Our success and innovation are powered by people like you!

Our Core Values:

The following Core Values capture the essence of who we are. We live and breathe them, and they inform everything we do.

• We are Conscientious.
• We are Empowered.
• We are Respectful.
• We are Transformative.
• We are Resilient.

What You Will be Doing:

As a Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Designer at Interface Engineering, your responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:

• Water-based or special hazard-based fire protection systems design
• Hydraulic and water supply calculations
• Building code analysis
• Evaluation of existing building fire protection and alarm systems
• Client interaction
• Product selection and evaluation
• Providing exemplary service to fellow team members and clients

To Qualify for Application:

The successful Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Designer candidate should have:

• 8+ years’ experience in fire protection system consulting and design.
• Expert knowledge of NFPA standards and I-Codes.
• Specialization in fire sprinkler systems, code consulting, and other water-based systems design.
• Design lead experience.
• Willingness to travel for site visits, meetings, and witness testing.
• Working knowledge of computer aided design programs (Revit, Autosprink for Revit, AutoCAD).

To Be Competitive for this Role:

Preferred qualifications include:

• PE in Fire Protection
• NICET certification in Fire Alarm and/or Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Layout
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in Fire/Mech/Elec Engineering

What You’ll Love

• Competitive Pay: $111,147 to $178,698 annual salary and conditional bonus
• Employee Ownership: Build equity through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Robust Benefits: 401(k), medical/dental/vision, life & disability insurance, transportation benefits...and more!
• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and company closure to clients from Christmas to New Year’s
• Purpose-Driven Culture: Paid volunteer time and a commitment to social equity
• Career Development: Work alongside industry leaders and access continuous learning opportunities

Social Equity

Interface is committed to social equity within our walls and in our communities. We are a diverse, inclusive, and responsible firm. Interface provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classifications.We support local business and seek to partner with small and minority-owned firms on our projects. Our staff is empowered to design community service programs (e.g., clean up beaches, serve meals at shelters, tutor school-aged children, etc.) – using paid volunteer time.

Please note: H1-B visa sponsorship or transfer is not approved for this position.