Senior Fire Protection Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Overview:
We're looking for a Senior Fire Protection Engineer who wants to do more than great technical work - someone who wants to build something. Operating within a seller-doer model, this position combines hands-on fire protection consulting with active business development responsibility, with the long-term goal of establishing a regional presence, growing a client base, and eventually building and leading a local team.

This is a remote-first position open to candidates across the Eastern US particularly in Florida, Massachusetts, the greater Washington D.C. area, Ohio, and other high-growth locations. Travel to client sites is expected as part of the role.

This role focuses exclusively on non-nuclear fire protection - including sprinkler design, fire alarm systems, smoke control, code consulting, and special hazard suppression - across a broad mix of commercial, industrial, healthcare, data center, battery storage, and government project types.

If you're a technically strong engineer who also wants to own a market, develop client relationships, and have a real stake in regional growth, this role was designed for you.

Responsibilities:
- Lead regional business development efforts (~40% of role), including cultivating and expanding client relationships, presenting to prospective clients, contributing to proposals, and executing on a regional growth strategy
- Design and oversee fire protection systems including sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems, smoke control systems, and special hazard suppression systems across a wide range of building types and industries
- Perform 3D hydraulic modeling, fire modeling, evacuation analysis, and dust/flammable gas explosion hazard analysis using industry-standard software (such as AutoSprink, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit)
- Conduct building fire safety due diligence surveys, provide NFPA and ICC code consulting, and support construction administration on active project sites
- Manage project workload independently, contribute to proposals and marketing initiatives, and mentor junior engineering staff as the team grows
- Develop and present a regional business development plan as part of the onboarding and interview process, outlining target markets, existing relationships, and a ramp-up strategy

Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or closely related engineering field required
- Minimum 5 years of experience with a degree required; 10+ years strongly preferred
- Demonstrated expertise in fire protection system design including sprinkler, fire alarm, smoke control, and special hazard suppression systems, along with solid working knowledge of NFPA codes and standards
- Proven ability to develop and maintain client relationships, an existing professional network in the fire protection or broader AEC/MEP space, and a credible path to generating new business in a regional market
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences, including written proposals, client presentations, and internal coordination
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment, manage your own workload, and operate comfortably with some ambiguity in a growth-stage market
- Comfort working on active job and construction sites of all types, ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and reliable personal transportation required
- Familiarity with AutoSprink, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit or equivalent hydraulic calculation software is a plus
- PE licensure strongly preferred