Senior Fire Protection Engineer

Job Title: Senior Fire Protection Engineer

Can Provide Relocation Assistance to Out-of-State candidates! Hybrid in Bethesda, MD

Job Description

This Senior Fire Protection Engineer role offers a hybrid schedule with the flexibility to work both on campus and remotely, supporting a healthy work-life balance. You will provide fire protection engineering expertise for a large, complex campus with more than 50 buildings, focusing on design review, inspections, and code compliance with minimal travel required. The position supports mission-driven work that contributes to impactful public health and research initiatives, while you collaborate closely with a small, tight-knit engineering team and campus stakeholders in a collegial and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Review architectural and engineering designs, as well as fire protection system shop drawings, for more than 50 campus buildings to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Evaluate fire alarm and fire sprinkler system drawings for completeness, constructability, and alignment with NFPA codes and other relevant regulations.
• Conduct construction inspections for fire protection systems and life safety features throughout the project lifecycle.
• Issue final occupancy permits after verifying that fire protection systems and life safety requirements meet applicable codes and standards.
• Witness and document acceptance tests for fire alarm and sprinkler system modifications to confirm proper installation, functionality, and performance.
• Perform life safety and hazard analysis surveys to evaluate existing building conditions and identify fire and life safety risks.
• Develop and provide technical guidance on fire protection and life safety requirements using various NFPA codes, including NFPA 30 and NFPA 35.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and campus stakeholders to resolve fire protection and life safety issues during design and construction.
• Coordinate with the campus fire marshal and other authorities having jurisdiction to ensure consistent interpretation and enforcement of codes and standards.
• Utilize tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, and related design software to review and interpret fire protection, piping, and plumbing design documents.
• Support the permitting process by reviewing documentation, ensuring code compliance, and preparing technical input as needed.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of fire protection practices and procedures across the campus, sharing knowledge and best practices with the engineering team.
• Provide occasional mentorship and technical support to other engineers and project stakeholders, particularly on complex fire protection and life safety issues.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline with a focus on fire protection systems and life safety.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in engineering in any discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying NFPA codes, including NFPA 30 and NFPA 35, in design review, inspections, or code compliance.
• Proven experience reviewing architectural, engineering, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler drawings for code compliance and constructability.
• Hands-on experience conducting construction inspections for fire protection and life safety systems.
• Experience witnessing and documenting acceptance testing for fire alarm and sprinkler system modifications.
• Strong working knowledge of NFPA standards and their application to complex facilities.
• Proficiency with design and drafting tools such as Revit and AutoCAD for reviewing fire protection, piping, and plumbing designs.
• Ability to interpret and apply permitting requirements and support the issuance of occupancy permits.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for conducting life safety and hazard analysis surveys.
• Effective communication skills to provide clear technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small engineering team, managing multiple projects across a large campus.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with additional NFPA codes beyond NFPA 30 and NFPA 35.
• Experience mentoring or leading other engineers or technical staff on fire protection and life safety topics.
• Background working in laboratory or hospital environments, particularly facilities that handle hazardous chemicals.
• Experience applying IEC codes in design review or compliance assessments.
• Experience with stamping permits, egress system design, or review of means of egress for complex buildings.
• Familiarity with piping design and plumbing design in relation to fire protection systems.
• Comfort working closely with fire marshals and other authorities having jurisdiction in a campus or institutional setting.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when overseeing fire protection requirements for multiple buildings.

Work Environment

The role is based on a large research and healthcare-focused campus with approximately 50 buildings in Bethesda. You will typically work a hybrid schedule, splitting time between on-campus work and remote work, which supports flexibility and work-life balance. On campus, you may drive your own car between buildings as needed to conduct inspections, reviews, and meetings. You will collaborate with a small, close-knit team that includes one program manager and three other engineers, and you will work closely with the campus fire marshal and other stakeholders. The environment involves regular interaction with advanced laboratory, healthcare, and research facilities, requiring careful attention to fire protection, hazardous materials, and life safety systems. You will use tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, and other engineering and documentation systems to review designs and support ongoing projects. Travel is minimal and generally limited to movement within the campus, providing a stable and predictable work setting focused on long-term stewardship of the campus's fire and life safety infrastructure.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethesda, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $64.90 - $67.30/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Bethesda,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.