Senior Fire & Life Safety Engineer

Bechtel•Houston, TX

26d•Onsite

About The Position

This role serves as a senior technical contributor and discipline lead for Fire and Life Safety Systems on large, complex, and mission‑critical projects, including hyperscale data centers, life sciences, and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The position is explicitly focused on integrated life safety and emergency communication systems—such as networked fire alarm and signaling, emergency voice/alarm communication systems (EVACS/ECS), air‑sampling smoke detection (e.g., VESDA), in‑building public safety communications (IB‑PSC/ERRC), and toxic gas monitoring. Fire suppression or fire water system design expertise is not required but encouraged. In this role, you will define scope, technical requirements, and cost estimates; lead and approve system architecture, design development, and integration; and resolve complex technical and code issues through sound engineering judgment. You will ensure reliable system performance, survivability, and coordination with electrical, mechanical, architectural, security, ICT, and building automation systems in highly resilient facilities. This position regularly interfaces with clients and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), providing authoritative technical guidance, and mentors life safety engineering personnel in support of consistent, high‑quality delivery.

Requirements

Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and 10-13 years of relevant experience or 14-17 years of relevant work experience.
Demonstrated senior‑level expertise in the design, configuration, architecture, and integration of fire and life safety systems, including: Networked fire alarm and signaling systems, Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication Systems (EVACS/ECS), Air‑sampling smoke detection systems (e.g., VESDA), In‑building public safety communications (IB‑PSC/ERRC), Toxic gas monitoring and detection systems (TGMS)
Proven experience delivering integrated fire and life safety solutions in mission‑critical environments, with emphasis on system survivability, resilience, and coordination across electrical, mechanical, architectural, security, ICT, and building automation systems
Strong working knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including NFPA 72, NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), IBC, IFC, and applicable local, state, federal, and AHJ requirements
Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply codes and standards, resolve complex technical issues, and support AHJ coordination and approval processes
Experience supporting scope development, estimating, staffing, scheduling, and execution planning for fire and life safety engineering scopes within an EPC environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and mentor engineering personnel effectively

Nice To Haves

NICET Level III (or higher) certification in one or more of the following strongly preferred: Fire Alarm Systems, In‑Building Public Safety Communications (IB‑PSC)
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure a plus, depending on project requirements
Prior experience supporting hyperscale data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, EV battery manufacturing, and other high‑reliability industrial facilities

Responsibilities

Plans and conducts independent scope development and prepares technical specifications for fire and life safety design and field investigations on large, complex, mission‑critical projects in support of a global business unit.
Leads and approves the architecture, design development, modification, evaluation, and multi-system integration of fire and life safety systems using relevant Engineering Department Procedures (EDPs), design standards and guides, and Bechtel Standard Application Programs (BSAPs).
Communicates complex technical issues and recommends solutions to upper management.
Develops conceptual and preliminary fire and life safety designs for projects with specialized, mission‑critical, or unique operational requirements, including hyperscale data centers and semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
Supports preparation of estimates, staffing needs, and schedules.
Prepares or oversees the preparation of discipline estimates and work plan in accordance with project scope, schedule and budget, and supports implementation and assists with performance reporting.
Interfaces with client personnel to define requirements, develops scope for cost estimates, and supports proposal preparation and technical presentations.
Provides technical oversight during implementation, including system integration, acceptance coordination, issue resolution, and performance tracking for assigned fire and life safety scopes.
Interprets new or special regulations, codes, standards, criteria, and performance data, providing authoritative technical guidance to project teams.
Coordinates with client representatives and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to obtain approvals for fire and life safety aspects of the work.
Conducts or leads special studies of new Control Systems engineering methods, materials, and techniques.
Mentors fire and life safety engineering personnel by providing on-the-job training and technical guidance to support professional development.
Contributes to and participates in technical training and knowledge-sharing programs as directed.