Designer- Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Designer- Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) - Poway, CA

AMPAM is a leading Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractor serving large-scale multifamily and commercial projects across California. With 1,500 employees across multiple business units, we are committed to delivering quality, safety, and excellence in every project. In June 2026, AMPAM acquired Coastal Fire & Integration Systems (“Coastal”), a San Diego-area provider of fire protection, low-voltage, and life safety systems. This role will join the AMPAM team as a part of our Coastal Fire & Integration Systems acquisition.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced ERCES Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate, code-compliant Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) designs, shop drawings, permit drawings, as-built drawings, RF calculations, reports, and related project documentation.

This position requires advanced knowledge of in-building public safety communication design, including Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA), active and passive DAS infrastructures, donor antenna placement, and related RF systems. The Designer will work closely with project managers, estimators, field technicians, general contractors, engineers, consultants, AHJs, and customers to ensure designs meet applicable codes, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and field installation needs.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate must:

• Possess a working knowledge of radio frequency (RF) systems, specifically ERCES, BDA, and DAS architectures.
• Demonstrate competency in advanced ERCES design, including donor antenna pathing, link budgets, coaxial/fiber routing, splitter/tapper calculations, and fire alarm monitoring integration.
• Possess proficient knowledge of current codes and standards, including NFPA 1221, NFPA 1225, IFC Section 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, and FCC regulations.
• Be professionally licensed or certified in the area of expertise, such as an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certification, or possess equivalent industry experience.
• Be proficient in AutoCAD and iBwave to ensure efficient and accurate production of shop drawings, heat maps, permit drawings, design drawings, as-built drawings, and record documents.
• Be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, and related design/document management software.
• Have experience preparing ERCES submittal packages, permit drawings, equipment data sheets, link budgets, battery calculations, RF predictive heat maps, riser diagrams, antenna/device layouts, and related design documentation.
• Be able to read and interpret construction drawings, electrical drawings, architectural drawings, mechanical drawings, reflected ceiling plans, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Possess good communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Be able to communicate professionally with project managers, estimators, field technicians, commissioners, general contractors, engineers, consultants, clients, inspectors, plan checkers, and AHJs.
• Be able to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, depending on project size, complexity, scope, deadlines, and permitting requirements.

Job Duties

The ERCES Designer will be responsible for:

• Reading and interpreting construction documents, including drawings, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Actively participating in pre-planning the overall ERCES and low-voltage system design.
• Designing and laying out ERCES networks for complex buildings using CAD-based and RF predictive software.
• Preparing ERCES shop drawings, permit-level drawings, design drawings, as-built drawings, and record drawings.
• Preparing ERCES design documentation, including riser diagrams, antenna and headend locations, link budgets, battery calculations, fire alarm interface details, and other required design information.
• Preparing submittal packages, including drawings, RF calculations, predictive heat maps, product data sheets, equipment cut sheets, and supporting documentation.
• Designing systems in accordance with NFPA 1221/1225, IFC 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and other applicable codes and standards.
• Designing advanced communication enhancement systems, including high-rise headend integration, fiber-fed remotes, NEMA enclosure specifications, and dedicated monitoring interfaces.
• Reviewing architectural, electrical, mechanical, and other trade drawings to coordinate ERCES design requirements (e.g., dedicated conduit pathways, 2-hour fire-rated enclosures).
• Identifying design conflicts, scope gaps, code concerns, constructability issues, and field coordination concerns. Identifying corrective measures, including design solutions, revisions, alternate antenna layouts, and recommended system modifications.
• Conducting technical research and providing documentation related to code requirements, alternative methods, product applications, and design solutions.
• Responding to plan check comments, AHJ comments, engineering comments, customer comments, and internal review comments.
• Coordinating plan status with plan checkers, AHJs, general contractors, engineers, consultants, and internal project teams.
• Participating in project meetings with clients, general contractors, engineers, consultants, inspectors, AHJs, project managers and field teams.
• Supporting project managers, estimators, field technicians, and service teams with technical RF information as needed.
• Coordinating with field commissioners to ensure design intent, frequency band plans, donor signal strength, and grid testing parameters are clearly documented and understood.
• Coordinating with field teams to address installation questions, field conflicts, RFI responses, design revisions, as-built updates, and closeout requirements.
• Maintaining organized design records, drawing files, submittals, calculations, correspondence, plan check comments, RFIs, revisions, and project documentation.
• Maintaining current knowledge of ERCES codes, AHJ expectations, manufacturer requirements, and company design standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications Design certification.
• iBwave certification
• Experience designing ERCES systems for multifamily, mixed-use, parking structure, high-rise, and campus-style projects.
• Experience with channelized and broadband ERCES architectures, fiber-fed remote units, multiple-building systems, and systems serving large or complex facilities.
• Experience with California AHJ submittal processes, radio licensee coordination, plan check comments, deferred submittals, and fire department permitting requirements.
• Experience preparing donor-site analyses, elevation profiles, RF link budgets, coverage predictions, and jurisdiction-specific technical reports.

Physical and Other Requirements

This position requires visual acuity and listening ability. Individuals must have the dexterity to operate office and field equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, plotters, RF test equipment, measuring tools, and other office or field equipment.

Individuals may be required to visit active construction sites, attend field meetings, conduct or observe radio surveys, access electrical rooms, telecommunications rooms, ERCES equipment rooms, riser rooms, mechanical rooms, parking structures, rooftops, and other building areas as needed. Site visits may require the use of ladders, stairs, personal protective equipment, and access to areas with active construction operations.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without future employment sponsorship

Recruitment Agencies:

To protect the interests of all parties, AMPAM WILL NOT accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to AMPAM, including unsolicited resumes sent directly to AMPAM leaders/managers/coworkers or to AMPAM's database will be considered AMPAM property. AMPAM will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Inquiries from external recruitment agencies should be directed ONLY to our talent acquisition team.