Senior Structural Engineer - Mission Critical

Sky Mavis; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Sky Mavis seeks a Senior Structural Engineer – Mission Critical to lead design and analysis of structural systems for data centers and other high‑reliability facilities, focusing on seismic, wind, and vibration resilience while meeting uptime requirements.

You will design fire protection systems, collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and civil teams, supervise commissioning and inspections, mentor junior engineers, and help ensure compliance with NFPA, IBC, UL, and local codes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection or Mechanical Engineering; master’s preferred.
• 8–12 years of fire protection engineering experience in mission-critical facilities.
• PE license required; CFPS or similar certifications desirable.
• Experience with NFPA codes, BIM, and hydraulics calculations.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and coordination of fire protection systems in mission-critical facilities.
• Perform fire protection design calculations and assess system effectiveness.
• Develop design criteria and specifications; ensure codes compliance.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, civil teams and architects.
• Oversee commissioning, testing, and inspection activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and stay current with industry trends.
• Manage project schedules and budgets.
• Prepare reports and presentations for clients and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk assessment

Project management

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree is a plus

Professional Engineer (PE) license

CFPS or related certification desirable

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

HydraCAD

Hydraulic calculation tools

Job description

Senior Structural Engineer – Mission Critical

We are seeking a Senior Structural Engineer – Mission Critical to lead the design and analysis of structural systems for data centers and other high-reliability facilities. This role requires expertise in designing robust, scalable, and resilient structures that can withstand seismic, wind, and vibration loads while meeting the uptime requirements of mission‑critical operations. The ideal candidate will have experience with steel and concrete structures, foundation design, and dynamic loading conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and coordination of fire protection systems for mission‑critical facilities, including data centers, server farms, telecommunications hubs, and command centers.
• Design and specify advanced fire protection systems, including fire suppression (e.g., clean agent systems, pre‑action sprinkler systems), fire alarm systems, smoke detection, and emergency life safety systems tailored to mission‑critical environments.
• Perform detailed fire protection system calculations, including hydraulic calculations for sprinklers, and assessments of fire suppression system effectiveness, including special hazard systems.
• Develop and maintain fire protection system design criteria, technical specifications, and project documentation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and codes (NFPA, IBC, UL, local building codes, etc.).
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil) and architects to ensure seamless integration of fire protection systems into the overall building design.
• Conduct risk assessments, system evaluations, and fire protection system analysis to determine the most effective solutions for mission‑critical applications.
• Oversee system commissioning, testing, and inspections to ensure that fire protection systems are installed and functioning correctly, meeting design specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and support during construction and project implementation phases, addressing any issues or design changes that arise on‑site.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technical staff, providing leadership and fostering professional growth in fire protection engineering practices.
• Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and emerging best practices in fire protection engineering, particularly as they relate to mission‑critical facilities.
• Manage and track project schedules, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring timely and cost‑effective completion of fire protection designs.
• Prepare and present detailed reports, technical documentation, and presentations to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Ensure the highest level of safety, operational continuity, and compliance with all applicable regulations and industry standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of professional experience in fire protection engineering, with a focus on mission‑critical facilities (e.g., data centers, telecom facilities, control rooms).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) or other fire protection–related certifications are highly desirable.
• In‑depth knowledge of fire protection system design for mission‑critical applications, including clean agent systems, pre‑action sprinklers, and smoke detection technologies.
• Expertise in relevant codes and standards, including NFPA (particularly NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 2001), IBC, UL standards, and local building codes.
• Proficiency in fire protection system design software (AutoCAD, Revit, HydraCAD, etc.) and hydraulic calculation tools.
• Strong experience with commissioning, testing, and inspections of fire protection systems in mission‑critical environments.
• Ability to perform risk assessments and system evaluations tailored to the specific needs of mission‑critical infrastructure.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to interact with clients, contractors, regulatory bodies, and internal team members at all levels.
• Strong project management skills, with experience handling multiple complex projects simultaneously while ensuring adherence to budget, schedule, and quality standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment to deliver integrated solutions.
• Experience designing fire protection systems for large‑scale data centers or other mission‑critical facilities, such as server farms, control rooms, or telecommunications buildings.
• Familiarity with advanced fire suppression technologies such as clean agent systems (FM‑200, Novec 1230), inert gas suppression systems, and pre‑action sprinkler systems.
• Experience with BIM (Building Information Modeling) and its application in fire protection design.
• Knowledge of energy‑efficient and sustainable fire protection design solutions for mission‑critical facilities.
• Familiarity with global fire protection standards and best practices, including experience working in international markets.

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k), generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.