Fire Protection Engineer

Abbott; Illinois; On-site; USD 78,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott, located in Abbott Park, IL, is seeking a skilled Fire Protection, Mechanical, and Piping Design Engineer to join their Global Systems and Services team. This role involves delivering design expertise and coordinating work efforts to support critical infrastructure across Abbott facilities.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fire protection systems, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative approach to project execution. This position offers a salary range between $78,000.00 and $156,000.00.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fire protection, mechanical, and/or piping system design.
• Thorough knowledge of NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheets.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards such as NFPA, ASME, ANSI.

Responsibilities

• Deliver technical design expertise for fire protection and mechanical systems.
• Coordinate design projects across multiple stakeholders.
• Support construction and system startup with technical guidance.

Skills

Fire protection systems

Mechanical systems

Piping design

Project coordination

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

NICET Level III Certification

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

The Opportunity

This position is located in Abbott Park, IL within the GES Global Engineering Services division. We seek a highly skilled and motivated Fire Protection, Mechanical, and Piping Design Engineer to join our Global Systems and Services team. The role will deliver technical design expertise, coordinate multidisciplinary work efforts, and develop standardized work processes to support critical infrastructure across Abbott facilities.

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate is technically proficient and highly collaborative, balancing detailed engineering design work with cross‑functional coordination in a dynamic environment.

Fire Protection Experience Required

• Extensive experience upgrading and renovating existing building fire protection systems.
• Experience in system layout and design of Wet, Dry, Pre‑Action, and Deluge Sprinkler Systems.
• Ability to provide Sprinkler System Project Reviews, including plans, calculations, and material submittals, adhering to Abbott’s standards, preferences, and good practices, while meeting NFPA 13 and FM Data Sheets minimum requirements.
• Ability to provide Sprinkler System Modification Cost Estimates and drawings to support front‑end planning for potential Office or Lab Renovation projects (nice to have).
• Ability to create a complete sprinkler demolition and construction package for submittal to Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
• Support Construction and Maintenance divisions for questions and/or drawing requests related to Modifications, Maintenance, and Testing of existing building sprinkler systems.

Technical / Design

• Provide technical design expertise in fire protection systems, mechanical systems, and piping design.
• Prepare and communicate recommendations and action plans.
• Develop, review, and approve engineering drawings, specifications, and calculations if required.
• Coordinate design and execution of projects across multiple stakeholders, including internal teams, contractors, and external consultants.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (NFPA, ASME, OSHA, local regulations).
• Support system design for new installations, upgrades, and renovations in manufacturing and commercial environments.
• Perform system evaluations, risk assessments, and troubleshooting of existing infrastructure.
• Provide technical guidance during construction, commissioning, and system startup.
• Assist in project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination to ensure timely project delivery.

Problem Solving / Innovation

• Creates cost‑effective solutions by analyzing complex issues, integrating technical and financial data, and improving designs, processes, and costs.

Organizational Interface

• Mentors, collaborates, and communicates effectively across teams and stakeholders to solve issues and meet project goals.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop standards, lead testing/validation, manage documentation, resolve issues, and support training and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Lead or contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, templates, and work processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (equivalent combination of education and work experience).
• Thorough knowledge of NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheets for sprinkler systems.
• NICET Level III Certification for Fire Protection‑Water Based Systems Layout, including 5 years minimum design experience.
• 5+ years of experience in fire protection, mechanical, and/or piping system design.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards (NFPA, ASME, ANSI, etc.).
• Experience with engineering design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit software).
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements.
• Experience developing engineering standards and operational procedures.

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership and engineering judgment.
• Project coordination and stakeholder management.
• Process development and continuous improvement mindset.
• Attention to detail and quality orientation.
• Ability to work independently and within cross‑functional teams.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the posted range.