Senior Fire Protection Engineer — Failure Analysis & Codes

Exponent; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) employer contribution

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer (M.S./Ph.D.) to join our Thermal Sciences Practice in Bowie, MD and other U.S. locations. You will lead investigations and analyses of failures spanning structures, vehicles, fires, explosions, and industrial processes.

This full-time, on-site role emphasizes hands-on design, testing, and reporting, with opportunities to collaborate with clients and publish findings. The position includes base salary with bonuses and 401(k) contributions.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering or M.S. with 3–5 years of related experience.
• Strong technical background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and combustion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Hands-on experience with experimental programs and fire protection system design.
• Familiarity with NFPA and ICC codes and standards.
• Willingness to tackle a wide variety of problems.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating the performance of fire protection, fire detection, and life safety systems.
• Reviewing fire protection codes and standards.
• Conducting laboratory assessments of material flammability.
• Planning and executing experimental test programs.
• Performing engineering calculations and analysis.
• Conducting fieldwork.
• Preparing proposals and technical reports, and presenting findings to clients.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Combustion

Communication

Experimental programs

NFPA codes

ICC codes

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering

M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering

Job description

Exponent is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer (M.S./Ph.D.) to join our Thermal Sciences Practice in Bowie, MD and other U.S. locations. You will lead investigations and analyses of failures spanning structures, vehicles, fires, explosions, and industrial processes.

This full-time, on-site role emphasizes hands-on design, testing, and reporting, with opportunities to collaborate with clients and publish findings. The position includes base salary with bonuses and 401(k) contributions.