Fire Protection Engineer

Engineering data centers with precision and expertise.  

At Strategic Mission Critical, we are more than just engineers; we are experts focusing solely on mission critical facilities. Our seasoned leadership team brings together decades of experience, equipping data center providers worldwide with robust, reliable solutions that keep pace with the evolving digital landscape. 

As demand for high-performance infrastructure accelerates - fueled by AI and the expanding digital landscape - SMC continues to lead through technical rigor and operational excellence. We’re seeking leaders who think beyond projects to improve the way we deliver them: individuals who elevate people, process, and performance across the firm. 

SMC is actively looking for a Senior Fire Protection Engineer to execute fire suppression and alarm design for mission critical projects.  Typical project types may include design of greenfield and brownfield data center facilities, design of fit-out packages for hyperscale and enterprise clients of colocation providers, data center campus planning, conceptual designs, and hydraulic analyses.

This candidate shall be capable of leading fire protection design projects independently, using site information and client preferences to develop design plans and specifications. The fire design scope will be a part of a broader project and therefore this candidate should be capable of interfacing with design leads within SMC (mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, plumbing) as well as externally (including architectural, civil, structural, etc).    

The ideal candidate will be involved in furthering the fire protection expertise of the company by mentoring designers and engineers, developing internal design standards, overseeing contract document production, and establishing quality control practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This candidate will have the opportunity to execute fire protection design of various project types while working and coordinating with clients and design leads from all disciplines.  This candidate shall have the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and with clients while being able to meet scheduled project deadlines.    

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Utilize Autodesk Revit to produce contract documents for fire suppression and alarm designs
• Create schematic designs of fire pump, standpipe, and wet, dry, and preaction sprinkler systems.
• Develop fire alarm system architectures, sequences of operation, and schematic device layouts.
• Identify and communicate necessary system interconnections.
• Meet project deadlines, including working necessary hours to complete major deliverables.
• Understand local and national construction codes, client preferences, and construction process to develop a cohesive system design.
• Draft memos and variance requests to clients and code officials, catering content and language to the appropriate party.
• Review and respond to RFIs and submittals as part of construction administration.
• Work with contractor teams to solve problems that arise during construction.
• Travel to project sites and meetings as required (approximately 10-20% travel).
• Communicate clearly in person, on phone calls, and over email/messaging platforms.
• Lead junior engineers and designers to execute delivery of specific design elements.
• Mentor and train junior engineers and designers to grow knowledge base of department.
• Maintain excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

  QUALIFICATIONS 

• 4-year degree in engineering with a fire protection or mechanical focus preferred. 2-year degree with work experience will be considered.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in facility fire protection design, particularly using Autodesk Revit for drawing development.
• Strong knowledge of US codes and standard fire protection systems.
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS) is preferred.
• Experience in fire protection design for larger industrial and commercial buildings is preferred.  
• Experience working across the entire construction process, from schematic design through construction administration, including review of submittals and shop drawings, and field work such as existing condition surveys, site observations, and punch lists.
• Experience leading fire protection design teams and liaising with clients is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft tools such as Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Power Point.
• Experience using construction management tools such as Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud.
• Professional Engineer (PE) preferred.

COMPENSATION

Base Compensation: $125,000 - $250,000 (Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skills and/or location)

SMC offers a competitive benefits package, with a 36-hour standard work week, hybrid working arrangement, 13 paid holidays, 100% coverage of medical, health, and dental insurance premiums for our full-time employees, and reimbursement of professional licensing costs. Spouse and family insurance premiums are subsidized by SMC. All full-time employees are additionally eligible for employer-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance as well as participation in our 401(k) plan, with annual safe harbor contribution.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.