Director of Fire Protection Engineering

Director of Fire Protection Engineering

Location: Washington DC, MD

Salary: $220,000+ Base Salary

Level: Director / Senior Leadership

Industry: Fire Protection Engineering / Mission-Critical Infrastructure

About the Opportunity

We're working confidentially with a major, well-established engineering and technology contractor that's looking to appoint a Director of Fire Protection Engineering to lead a substantial and highly specialized engineering operation in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

This is a significant leadership opportunity, overseeing a team of approximately 40 professionals responsible for delivering some of the most technically complex, sensitive and high-security projects in the United States.

The business operates at the forefront of complex infrastructure and mission-critical engineering, supporting projects where technical excellence, reliability, security and precision are absolutely essential.

They're looking for someone who brings a strong technical fire protection engineering background, but equally importantly, someone who knows how to lead people, develop teams, win work and run a successful engineering operation.

This isn't simply a technical director position. It's an opportunity to take ownership of a major engineering function, influence business strategy and play a central role in the continued growth of an established organization.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

• Lead and oversee a multidisciplinary fire protection engineering operation of approximately 40 professionals.
• Take responsibility for departmental performance, project delivery, resource planning and operational efficiency.
• Manage, mentor and develop engineers, designers, project leads and emerging technical leaders.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability and professional development plans.
• Oversee staffing, recruitment, succession planning and long-term team development.
• Work closely with executive leadership to support strategic planning, departmental growth and operational improvements.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Provide senior technical leadership across complex fire protection and life safety engineering projects.
• Oversee fire suppression, fire alarm, detection, smoke control and integrated life safety system design.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet applicable NFPA standards, building codes, contractual requirements and project specifications.
• Review and approve technical approaches, design strategies and critical engineering deliverables within the scope of professional licensure and delegated authority.
• Provide guidance on challenging engineering problems, complex system integration and high-risk design decisions.
• Maintain technical quality, consistency and engineering standards across the department.
• Support projects involving sensitive facilities, mission-critical infrastructure and highly specialized engineering environments.

Business Development & Project Acquisition

• Play an active role in identifying, pursuing and securing new engineering opportunities.
• Support major bids, proposals, technical presentations and client negotiations.
• Work alongside estimating, preconstruction and business development teams to develop competitive project strategies.
• Provide technical and commercial input into project pricing, scope development, staffing and delivery planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, strategic partners and key stakeholders.
• Help expand the department's capabilities, market presence and long-term project pipeline.

Project & Commercial Management

• Maintain executive oversight of multiple complex engineering projects and programs.
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed budgets, schedules, quality standards and contractual commitments.
• Oversee resource allocation, project profitability, forecasting and departmental financial performance.
• Identify and manage technical, operational and commercial risks.
• Coordinate with project executives, construction teams, engineering leadership and other business units.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between engineering, design, preconstruction and field operations.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience in fire protection engineering, ideally with a strong background in complex, large-scale or mission-critical projects.
• Proven leadership experience at Director, Engineering Manager, Department Head or equivalent senior management level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large technical teams.
• Strong technical understanding of fire protection, fire alarm, suppression and life safety engineering.
• Experience overseeing engineering design, technical reviews, quality assurance and multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA standards, building codes and relevant engineering regulations.
• Experience supporting business development, major bids, proposals and client relationships.
• Commercial awareness, including budgets, project profitability, resource management and operational performance.
• Ability to operate effectively in sensitive, confidential and high-security project environments.
• Strong communication, decision-making and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, ideally in Fire Protection Engineering.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience managing teams of 20–40+ engineers and technical professionals.
• Background in mission-critical, government, defense, secure infrastructure or similarly complex project environments.
• Experience supporting major design-build or engineering and construction programs.
• Proven track record of winning work, growing engineering teams and improving departmental performance.
• Previous responsibility for departmental budgets, forecasting and operational strategy.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Significant Leadership Responsibility

Take ownership of an established engineering operation with approximately 40 professionals, providing leadership across technical delivery, people development and business performance.

Exceptional Project Exposure

Oversee some of the most complex and sensitive engineering projects in the country, working in environments where reliability, security and technical precision are critical.

Strategic Influence

Work closely with senior leadership to shape the direction of the department, improve operations, develop talent and influence future growth.

Technical & Commercial Ownership

A genuine director-level position combining engineering leadership with project oversight, operational management, client relationships and new business opportunities.

Highly Competitive Compensation

Starting base salary of $220,000+ annually, with compensation reflecting the seniority, experience and responsibilities associated with the position.

Confidential Enquiries

Due to the nature and seniority of this appointment, the recruitment process is being handled on a strictly confidential basis.

We're interested in speaking with established fire protection engineering leaders who have the technical credibility, commercial understanding and people management experience to take responsibility for a substantial engineering operation.

If you're currently operating at Engineering Manager, Department Head, Director or a similar level and would be interested in discussing the opportunity discreetly, please get in touch.

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