Development Project Manager – Fire Protection & Fire Alarm Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Quality Technology Services•Atlanta, GA

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be. The Development Project Manager – Fire Protection & Fire Alarm Subject Matter Expert (SME) is primarily responsible for providing technical expertise and guidance on projects related to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems. The Project Manager will interact daily with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), Insurance Representatives, and Data Center Operations staff and should possess written and verbal communication skills commensurate with this level of engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related technical field, with at least 3 years of additional experience in fire protection, fire alarm design, construction, or operations.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fire protection, fire alarm, life safety systems, engineering design, construction, commissioning, or facility operations.
Minimum of 2 years of experience applying NFPA standards, International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), FM Global requirements, and local AHJ requirements.
Experience with fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, life safety systems, and emergency communication systems.
Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, submittals, and commissioning documentation.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization.
Must be a capable, proven team player who fosters and operates effectively within internal and external team environments.
Ability to solve complex technical and operational problems at both tactical and functional levels.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong understanding of fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, and regulatory compliance requirements within mission-critical facilities.
Ability to review, interpret, and communicate complex engineering designs, calculations, commissioning plans, and testing requirements.
Strong understanding of risk management principles and fire protection strategies for high-availability and mission-critical environments.
Ability to balance code compliance, operational reliability, maintainability, and business requirements when evaluating technical solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing fire protection and fire alarm systems for data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments.
Project Management or Project Lead experience on large-scale construction projects.
Direct experience in the construction, testing, commissioning, or operation of data centers, critical medical facilities, industrial facilities, or other mission-critical environments.
Strong knowledge of NFPA standards, including but not limited to NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 72, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 101, and NFPA 4, as well as applicable building and fire codes.
Experience with FM Global Data Sheets, property insurance requirements, loss prevention strategies, and critical facility risk mitigation.
Experience designing, reviewing, commissioning, or operating double-interlock pre-action sprinkler systems, water-based suppression systems, clean agent suppression systems, and special hazard protection systems.
Experience with VESDA and aspirating smoke detection systems, very early warning fire detection systems, and integration with building management and monitoring systems.
Experience reviewing and validating fire alarm sequences of operation, cause-and-effect matrices, integrated system testing plans, and emergency response strategies.
Experience evaluating performance-based fire protection designs, alternative means and methods, and equivalency reviews.
Advanced knowledge of fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety system integration within mission-critical environments.
Basic multidisciplinary knowledge of electrical, mechanical, controls, commissioning, pre-construction requirements, and construction processes.
Proven ability to communicate complex technical issues to senior leadership, insurers, AHJs, contractors, consultants, and non-technical stakeholders.
Professional Engineering (PE) License, Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), NICET Certification, or equivalent industry credential preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Review drawing packages for adherence to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety design standards.
Collaborate with internal and external design teams to evaluate designs for compliance with established design standards, local code requirements, insurance requirements, and AHJ requirements.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders to define project scope requirements, evaluate deviations from standards, and communicate requirements to design teams.
Work with construction, commissioning, and risk management teams to answer Requests for Information (RFIs), code interpretations, and value engineering proposals.
Collaborate with the procurement team to review OFCI equipment submittts for compliance with fire protection and fire alarm design criteria.
Support project teams in resolving fire protection and fire alarm design issues discovered during construction, testing, commissioning, and operations.
Work closely with strategic procurement teams on fire protection and fire alarm equipment procurement.
Review fire protection hydraulic calculations, fire pump analyses, water supply evaluations, and system acceptance testing requirements.
Review fire alarm system architectures, battery calculations, sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, and integrated testing plans.
Participate in factory witness testing, site acceptance testing, integrated systems testing, and commissioning activities for fire protection and life safety systems.
Coordinate with local fire officials, insurance representatives, third-party reviewers, and commissioning teams to support project approvals and occupancy milestones.
Support the development and maintenance of standardized fire protection and fire alarm designs for mission-critical facilities.
Provide technical guidance on fire suppression, fire detection, emergency communications, life safety systems, and integrated system performance.