Fire Protection Engineer

Job Title: Fire Protection Engineer

Job Description

This role offers a dynamic work environment that emphasizes the well-being and work-life balance of employees. With a hybrid schedule, you will have the flexibility to work both on-campus and remotely, aligning your professional responsibilities with personal commitments. The position involves minimal travel, allowing you to focus on core responsibilities. By joining our team, you will contribute to significant initiatives at the National Institute of Health (NIH), becoming part of a collaborative and supportive community.

Responsibilities

• Review architectural and engineering designs as well as fire protection system shop drawings for over 50 buildings.
• Conduct construction inspections and issue final occupancy permits.
• Witness acceptance tests for modifications in fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
• Evaluate existing building conditions through life safety and hazard analysis surveys.
• Provide technical guidance using various NFPA codes.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with NFPA codes, particularly NFPA 30 & 35.
• Experience in permitting, design review, and construction inspections.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Bachelor of Science in engineering (any discipline).
• Experience in reviewing architectural, engineering, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler drawings.
• Familiarity with IEC codes, Revit, AutoCAD, piping design, and plumbing design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of other NFPA codes.
• Experience in mentoring or leading teams.
• Experience working within a lab or hospital environment, especially dealing with hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with stamping permits or egress systems.

Work Environment

The work will be conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, overseeing approximately 50 buildings. Employees have the convenience of driving their own car across the campus if needed. The team consists of one program manager and three other engineers, and you will collaborate closely with the NIH fire marshal. The opportunity includes working in a supportive environment with a hybrid schedule, fostering a balanced work-life dynamic.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethesda, MD.

The pay range for this position is $50.48 - $52.88/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Bethesda,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.