Fire Protection Engineer - Fire & Egress Modeling

Fire Protection Engineer - Fire & Egress Modeling

Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Blacksburg, Virginia, United States; Columbia, Maryland, United States; Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Company Overview

Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk-based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more.

Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry-leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.

At Jensen Hughes, we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization.

Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they're passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Fire and Egress Modeling Engineer to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and executing fire and egress modeling projects for a variety of structures, including high-rise buildings, industrial facilities, and transportation hubs. This role requires a strong understanding of fire dynamics, egress analysis, computational modeling techniques, and additional responsibilities inspired by the services offered by Jensen Hughes.

Responsibilities

• Develop fire and egress models using advanced computational tools and techniques, ensuring accuracy and reliability in predicting fire behavior and occupant egress patterns.
• Apply performance-based design principles to assess fire and life safety strategies, including smoke control systems, evacuation plans, and structural fire protection measures.
• Interpret and apply relevant building and fire codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., NFPA, IBC, ASCE) to ensure compliance with applicable requirements and guidelines.
• Conduct qualitative risk assessments to evaluate the potential impact of fire events on building occupants, property, and business operations, and recommend risk mitigation strategies as needed.
• Incorporate human behavior modeling into fire and egress simulations to account for variations in occupant response to emergency conditions and optimize evacuation strategies accordingly.
• Collaborate with architects, structural engineers, HVAC designers, and other stakeholders to integrate fire and egress modeling into the overall building design process, facilitating interdisciplinary coordination and design optimization.
• Evaluate the performance of fire protection systems and egress components (e.g., exit widths, travel distances) through sensitivity analysis and optimization studies, identifying opportunities for improvement and efficiency.
• Serve as a technical advisor to clients, providing expert guidance on fire and life safety strategies, code compliance issues, and performance-based design solutions, and addressing client inquiries and concerns throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior engineers and team members on fire and egress modeling techniques, software tools, and best practices, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing within the organization.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fire protection engineering or a related field, with a focus on fire and egress modeling.
• Proficiency in industry-standard fire and egress modeling software tools, such as FDS, PyroSim, Pathfinder, etc.
• Strong understanding of fire dynamics, egress analysis principles, and relevant building and fire codes and standards (e.g., NFPA, IBC, etc.).
• P.E. License in Fire Protection Engineering.
• Five (5) or more years of experience as a project manager for projects including performance-based design, fire and egress modeling, with the ability to lead and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Existing client-base with a willingness to grow in new areas.
• Ability to review smoke control and egress modeling performed by others.
• Ability to prepare thorough technical reports documenting modeling and analysis results.
• Ability to present the information prepared by you and / or others to clients and AHJs.