Construction Administration Engineer – Life Safety Systems / Fire Alarms

Location: Tampa, FL
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a Construction Administration Engineer – Life Safety Systems / Fire Alarms to support the design and construction of mission-critical data center facilities in the Tampa, FL area. This role will have a strong focus on construction administration, with additional responsibilities supporting life safety and fire alarm system design and documentation.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with fire alarm systems, life safety codes, construction administration, and data center or other complex facility projects. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working in the field, collaborating with contractors and clients, and ensuring systems are properly designed, installed, tested, and commissioned.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for life safety and fire protection systems associated with data center facilities.
• Support projects throughout the full design and construction lifecycle, including:
  • Preliminary assessments
  • Concept development
  • Design development
  • Drawing and specification production
  • Construction administration
  • Field inspections and observations
  • Testing and commissioning support
• Serve as a primary technical resource for fire alarm and life safety systems.
• Perform construction administration activities, with a minimum of 25% travel to project sites.
• Conduct site visits, punch walks, inspections, and witness testing.
• Review contractor submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, and installation documentation.
• Provide design assistance and technical support during construction.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolution of field conditions and design issues.
• Coordinate with clients, contractors, vendors, engineers, BIM designers, and other project stakeholders.
• Interface with state and local code officials as needed.
• Develop and review calculations, equipment sizing and quantities, construction specifications, network diagrams, and other construction deliverables.
• Apply applicable life safety, fire protection, electrical, and building codes and industry standards.
• Support the design of fire alarm, fire detection, fire suppression, gas detection, smoke control, and other life safety systems.
• Provide technical guidance to junior staff and collaborate with senior technical professionals.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and ensure assigned work is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Support projects using both 2D and 3D design platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Experience designing and/or supporting fire alarm and life safety systems.
• Knowledge of fire alarm systems and related manufacturers' equipment, including VESDA systems.
• Field experience installing, inspecting, testing, or commissioning fire alarm systems.
• Familiarity with fire alarm manufacturers such as Notifier, Edwards, and Xtralis.
• Working knowledge of:
  • IBC – International Building Code
  • IFC – International Fire Code
  • NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
  • NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
  • NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code
• Understanding of electrical design requirements and general construction specifications.
• Experience providing technical leadership on projects and coordinating resources.
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required, with a minimum of approximately 25% travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of Autodesk Revit design experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Knowledge of:
  • NFPA 75
  • NFPA 76
  • NFPA 2001
  • NFPA 13
• Previous experience designing or supporting data center projects.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or designers.
• Experience with estimating and scheduling mid-to-large-scale projects.
• Experience with construction administration, commissioning, or field engineering for mission-critical facilities.
• Experience working directly with clients, contractors, vendors, and code officials.