Fire Alarm Electrical Engineer

Hochiki Group•Buena Park, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hochiki is seeking a technically strong and commercially aware engineer with sound regulatory judgment, strong communication, and leadership skills for the role of Fire Alarm Electrical Engineer. This advanced/expert level position focuses on UL/FM Approvals certification and regulatory compliance for fire alarm and life safety systems. The role serves as a technical leader, acting as a liaison between certification bodies (UL, FM Approvals), Hochiki America Corporation, and global engineering teams. The successful candidate will lead system-level certification activities, support product commercialization, ensure regulatory compliance, and proactively engage with UL laboratories to maintain business continuity in a highly regulated environment. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with opportunities for international travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 7 years of engineering experience with regulated or safety-critical products.
Hands-on experience working with UL certification or comparable third-party certification bodies.
Experience with fire alarm systems, life safety products, or similar regulated systems.
Strong understanding of UL 864, UL 268, FM Approvals requirements, and applicable NFPA standards.
Familiarity with NFPA 72 and expectations of U.S. Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
Deep understanding of system-level behavior involving hardware, firmware, interoperability, and life safety systems.
Knowledge of certification processes, compliance documentation, validation activities, and regulatory risk management.
Commercial awareness with the ability to balance compliance, product quality, schedule, and business impact.
Ability to analyze and explain system-level interactions between fire alarm control panels and connected devices.
Strong technical troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving capabilities.
Experience reviewing schematics, wiring diagrams, installation instructions, and technical compliance documentation.
Ability to assess certification impact resulting from product design changes.
Competence using standard business software including Microsoft Office applications and collaboration tools.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills for collaboration with teams in the U.S., U.K., and Asia.
Acts with professionalism, accountability, and sound engineering judgment.
Demonstrates initiative and confidence in addressing complex regulatory and technical challenges.
Builds strong collaborative relationships across global engineering, certification, and commercial teams.
Communicates effectively across cultures and organizational boundaries.
Confidently represents the organization in discussions and negotiations with UL, FM Approvals, and senior internal stakeholders.
Strong prioritization skills with the ability to make technically and commercially impactful decisions under schedule and compliance constraints.

Nice To Haves

Industry certifications such as NICET or equivalent desirable.
Additional training or certifications relating to UL, FM Approvals, NFPA standards, or regulatory compliance desirable.
Experience supporting UL 864 and/or UL 268 certification projects desirable.
Experience supporting transitions from UL 864 9th Edition to 10th Edition desirable.
Experience operating within a global or matrix organization, balancing regional accountability with global alignment.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary technical interface with UL engineers for fire alarm control panels (FACPs) and system compatibility with accessories.
Lead and support UL panel-level and system-level testing activities, including preparation and coordination.
Review and support UL submission packages, including schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
Provide technical leadership for certification activities under UL 864, UL 268, FM Approvals requirements, and applicable NFPA standards.
Interpret regulatory requirements and identify certification and compliance risks.
Evaluate hardware and firmware behaviors at product and system levels, including interoperability.
Review internal test results and assess technical and business impact, recommending appropriate actions.
Determine if design changes require new UL or FM Approvals certification projects.
Coordinate certification schedules and approval workflows between laboratories and internal stakeholders.
Act as a technical liaison between Hochiki America Corporation, Hochiki Corporation (Japan), and UK engineering teams.
Communicate technical positions effectively across cultures, time zones, and organizational boundaries.
Review and validate compatibility between FACPs and connected devices.
Ensure compatibility claims are technically accurate and reflected in documentation.
Support updates to installation instructions and technical literature.
Analyze market issues and customer feedback related to UL-certified products.
Support root-cause analysis activities.
Improve and institutionalize certification and validation processes.