Senior Fire Protection Engineer

the Client•Houston, TX

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Fire Protection Engineer plans, schedules, conducts, and coordinates detailed engineering work within a project or staff group. The role applies conventional engineering practices and may involve complex design requirements, material selection challenges, and difficult coordination needs. The engineer works with Standard Application Programs (BSAPs), coordinates with engineering disciplines, clients, suppliers, contractors, and regulatory authorities, and may lead other engineers or project subgroups on assigned tasks. The position also communicates technical issues and recommendations to supervisors or project management, contributes to engineering procedures and design guides, and mentors designers and drafters. The role is focused on fire protection systems for semiconductor, AI data center, life sciences, or pharmaceutical projects. It includes independently specifying systems and equipment, performing fire-water demand and hydraulic calculations, supporting regulatory approvals, coordinating engineering subcontracts, and troubleshooting issues in field or job-site settings. This is a 12-month contract based in Houston, Texas, with a hybrid schedule of three days onsite per week. Local candidates only.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent from an accredited university or college, or international equivalent.
At least 10 years of relevant work experience in the semiconductor, AI data center, life sciences, or pharmaceutical industries.
At least 10 years of experience related to fire protection systems in semiconductor, AI data center, life sciences, or pharmaceutical industries.
Ability to independently specify fire protection systems and select appropriate sprinkler systems based on project needs.
Ability to specify fire protection equipment, including fire-water pumps and fire-water storage-tank capacities, and perform fire-water demand and hydraulic calculations to size pipe headers.
Experience with wet pipe systems under NFPA 13, standpipe and hose systems under NFPA 14, and FM standards.
Experience with fire-protection equipment including pumps, storage tanks, and deluge systems.
Experience with Cooling Tower Deluge System sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 214.
Knowledge of fire-protection system testing requirements, including acceptance tests under NFPA 13, and local regulatory authority and AHJ requirements.
Knowledge of mechanical system codes and standards including ASME, IBC, IMC, and NFPA.
Thorough knowledge of discipline engineering techniques, engineered-system design, and engineering and design calculations.
Thorough understanding of other project departments' roles, construction practices, and project economics.
Ability to coordinate effectively with owners, project teams, subcontractors, and regulatory authorities.
Ability to manage conflicting deadlines, frequent interruptions, and multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

Plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate detailed phases of engineering work in a project or staff group.
Perform engineering work that may involve complex design requirements, material suitability issues, or difficult coordination requirements.
Use Standard Application Programs (BSAPs).
Plan, coordinate, or prepare equipment and work specifications, material requisitions, technical bid evaluations, and award recommendations.
Coordinate engineering efforts between specialty and other engineering groups or disciplines, clients, suppliers, and contractors.
Lead other engineers or project subgroups on specific tasks as directed.
Communicate complex technical issues and recommend solutions to supervisors or project management.
Support development of Engineering Department Procedures, design guides, standard computer applications, and administrative practices.
Mentor designers and drafters through on-the-job training.
Support a work environment that fosters openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.
Specify fire protection systems and equipment, including selecting suitable sprinkler systems and determining fire-water pump and storage-tank capacities.
Perform fire-water demand, hydraulic, and pipe-header sizing calculations.
Coordinate regulatory approvals with the owner, project team, subcontractors, and relevant regulatory authorities.
Manage engineering subcontracts and ensure design and delivery meet contract requirements.
Troubleshoot issues in field or job-site settings and provide instructions for resolving identified issues.