Fire Protection Engineer

Fermilab•Batavia, IL

1d•$99,500 - $130,900•Onsite

About The Position

Fermilab is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to join the Infrastructure Services Directorate. Reporting to Fermilab’s Fire Protection Program Manager, the engineer will oversee fire protection-related compliance across Fermilab facilities and develop, implement, and oversee the laboratory’s Fire Protection Program. The role supports the safety of employees, visitors, and the public by applying state regulations, Department of Energy (DOE) standards, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards. The Fire Protection Engineer provides expertise for construction and renovation projects, conducts hazard analyses for experiments, and focuses on fire safety system design, maintenance, and operational readiness. The role also involves collaboration across disciplines, technical project leadership, and preparation of fire protection reports, specifications, manuals, and other documentation. This is an onsite position at Fermilab’s Batavia location. The described work arrangement may change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to remain final.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution and at least 4 years of engineering experience, or a master’s or PhD from an ABET-accredited institution and at least 2 years of relevant engineering experience.
In-depth knowledge of NFPA codes, such as NFPA 13, 25, 30, 72, and 101, and international fire and building codes.
Experience in fire system design, maintenance, and inspection, including automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and suppression systems.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work effectively across disciplines.
Ability to work onsite at the Batavia location.

Nice To Haves

Experience with fire protection in high energy physics, nuclear, or highly protected risk (HPR) industries.
Familiarity with DOE fire protection regulations, such as DOE-STD-420.1C and DOE-STD-1066.

Responsibilities

Oversee Fermilab’s Fire Protection Program and ensure compliance with NFPA, DOE (420.1C, 10 CFR 851), and OSHA standards.
Conduct fire hazard analyses, fire system inspections, and safety audits, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Review and approve fire protection system plans, including sprinkler, fire alarm, and suppression systems; perform technical reviews of shop drawings, hydraulic calculations, and related submittals.
Conduct fire protection assessments for Fermilab buildings, systems, and laboratories, and support testing and maintenance of fire protection systems.
Perform risk analyses for experimental projects and provide engineering support for new construction and renovations.
Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and construction teams to incorporate fire protection requirements into facility designs.
Manage Fermilab’s hot work program and review operational readiness for high-risk activities, including use of flammable or hazardous materials.
Conduct NFPA and ICC code reviews to ensure compliance with life safety standards.
Perform building walkdowns to assess compliance with DOE fire safety requirements.
Scope technical tasks, identify solutions to assigned problems, and develop fire protection strategies with supervisory guidance.
Apply engineering and scientific best practices to problem-solving and project planning, including management of technical challenges, special materials, and difficult oversight requirements.
Carry out development and qualification programs to improve fire protection processes and reduce future risks.
Develop alternative solutions to existing fire protection challenges and prepare detailed analyses to determine optimal strategies.
Evaluate project proposals and provide recommendations based on fire protection requirements.
Prepare manuals, reports, and other documents to support and communicate technical fire protection efforts.
Demonstrate technical expertise and creative problem-solving through engineering reports or technical papers.
Build and maintain relationships with coworkers in operations, maintenance, construction, safety, and other disciplines.
Complete work individually or as part of multidisciplinary teams, driving tasks to completion.
Lead multidisciplinary fire protection project teams and coordinate efforts across groups.
Manage time effectively while balancing multiple projects, documents, and tasks.
Communicate complex fire protection topics clearly and tailor communication to the audience.
Originate and edit written technical documents, including fire protection reports and specifications.