Solutions Engineer (NorCal)

Frontline Wildfire Defense • Northern California, CA

7h • $135,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Frontline Wildfire Defense is hiring a hybrid, field-facing Solutions Engineer to support Sales, Installation Operations, and Design by providing technical expertise in permitting and water-system feasibility throughout the project lifecycle. Working with the Senior Solutions Engineer, this role supports complex projects and independently leads standard and mid-complexity evaluations. The engineer assesses water availability, pressure, hydraulics, system feasibility, and permitting requirements, helping determine whether projects are buildable and what is needed to move them forward.

The role works across engineering, sales, field operations, and product. It involves advising clients and internal teams, coordinating with local authorities and water districts, and helping ensure exterior wildfire sprinkler designs are technically sound, compliant, and practical to install. The engineer also addresses unanticipated technical problems after project close, feeds real-world constraints into product development, and helps develop documentation, training, and repeatable processes. Candidates must be located in the Greater Northern California area; the description also characterizes the role as involving field engagement across Southern California and frequent field visits, typically 2–4 days a week.

Frontline Wildfire Defense develops an integrated wildfire defense system combining exterior sprinklers, full-coverage design, and connected software for remote monitoring and response. The company describes its mission as helping people live safely with fire through wildfire safety and climate technology. New hires are subject to comprehensive background checks, typically covering the prior 7–10 years and potentially including employment and education verification; driving record verification is also required for roles involving field work. Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of these checks.

Requirements

• 4–7+ years of experience in hydraulic engineering, mechanical or civil engineering, plumbing design, or fire protection systems.
• Strong expertise in water distribution systems, including flow, pressure, and pressure-loss considerations across pipe networks.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, site plans, and engineering documentation.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics and real-world system constraints.
• Basic understanding of alternative power sources and electrical components.
• Comfort working in a hybrid role with frequent field visits, typically 2–4 days a week.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, especially when navigating regulatory and environmental constraints.
• Strong communication skills for interfacing with clients, internal teams, and local authorities.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and timelines.
• Must be located in the Greater Northern California area.
• Successful completion of required background checks; field roles also require driving record verification.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with permitting processes, municipal codes, or regulatory approvals; California experience is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with irrigation systems or similar water-based infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical evaluation process supporting Sales, Design, and Installation Operations in closing deals with confidence.
• Collaborate with the Senior Solutions Engineer on complex projects and independently lead standard and mid-complexity evaluations.
• Provide practical design guidance on system layout and placement so solutions are feasible, efficient, and implementable in the field.
• Evaluate project feasibility, particularly water supply, pressure, and permitting requirements.
• Serve as a technical resource for projects requiring advanced engineering input or regulatory navigation.
• Translate customer needs into compliant, buildable wildfire sprinkler system solutions.
• Provide guidance and occasional training to Sales and Project Management teams on system design and implementation.
• Support permitting efforts across jurisdictions in Southern California.
• Research and interpret local codes, regulations, and permitting requirements related to water systems and fire protection.
• Interface with local authorities, municipalities, and water districts to facilitate approvals.
• Prepare and review technical documentation for permit submissions.
• Identify permitting risks early and propose solutions to keep projects on track.
• Assess water sources, flow rates, and pressure availability for projects.
• Validate system performance assumptions to ensure effective wildfire protection coverage.
• Support and refine system designs based on real-world water constraints.
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize layouts for hydraulic feasibility and field implementation, including water routing and distribution across interior and exterior system designs.
• Evaluate alternative water supply configurations, including pools, wells, and storage solutions, to maintain system effectiveness where municipal water infrastructure is limited.
• Travel to job sites across Southern California as needed and conduct on-site assessments of water access, distribution systems, infrastructure, and system feasibility.
• Evaluate alternative system configurations that maintain wildfire protection effectiveness while reducing water consumption or dependence on municipal supplies.
• Explain technical considerations related to water systems, electrical components, and permitting to clients.
• Act as a technical advisor during critical project stages, particularly when approvals or constraints arise.
• Provide installation teams with technical clarification related to water systems and compliance.
• Work with sales, design, and operations teams to support smooth project execution.
• Provide feedback to improve permitting workflows and water-system design standards.
• Help standardize processes for jurisdictional approvals and hydraulic evaluations.
• Contribute to internal documentation and best practices for recurring permitting scenarios.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement for field travel.
• Company-provided cell phone and laptop.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Flexible time off.
• 14 paid holidays, including the employee’s birthday.
• Company-provided equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level