Development Project Engineer – Fire Protection, Fire Alarm

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Pennsylvania.

📋 Description

• Provide support in the design, preconstruction, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning processes for fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems across designated projects.

• Assess drawing packages to ensure compliance with fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety design standards.

• Collaborate with both internal and external design teams to evaluate adherence to design standards, local regulations, insurance stipulations, and AHJ requirements.

• Establish project scope requirements, assess any deviations from standards, and communicate these needs to design teams.

• Engage with construction, commissioning, and risk management teams regarding RFIs, code interpretations, and value engineering proposals.

• Review OFCI equipment submissions for alignment with fire protection and fire alarm design criteria.

• Assist in resolving design challenges identified during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.

• Coordinate the procurement of fire protection and fire alarm equipment with strategic procurement teams.

• Evaluate hydraulic calculations, fire pump analyses, water supply assessments, and system acceptance testing prerequisites.

• Analyze fire alarm architectures, battery calculations, operational sequences, cause-and-effect matrices, and integrated testing strategies.

• Aid in factory witness testing, site acceptance testing, integrated systems testing, and commissioning activities.

• Liaise with AHJs, insurance representatives, consultants, contractors, and commissioning teams to secure project approvals and meet occupancy milestones.

• Contribute to the development and upkeep of standardized fire protection and fire alarm design guidelines for mission-critical facilities.

• Assess fire suppression, fire detection, emergency communication, and life safety systems for compliance and operational dependability.

• Interact daily with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, AHJs, Insurance Representatives, and Data Center Operations personnel.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• Fundamental experience in fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, construction, commissioning, facility operations, or engineering design.

• Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, submissions, and construction documentation.

• Comprehension of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, and life safety systems.

• Experience in designing, supporting, or reviewing fire protection and fire alarm systems for data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial sites, or large commercial projects.

• Experience managing project responsibilities across various projects and campuses.

• Background in fire alarm operational sequences, cause-and-effect matrices, system testing, and commissioning tasks.

• Direct experience in constructing data centers, critical medical facilities, industrial sites, or other mission-critical environments.

• Basic understanding of NFPA standards, including NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 72, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 101, and NFPA 4, along with relevant building and fire codes.

• Familiarity with FM Global Data Sheets, insurance requirements, and loss prevention techniques.

• Experience with double-interlock pre-action sprinkler systems, clean agent systems, water-based suppression systems, and specialized hazard protection systems.

• Knowledge of VESDA and aspirating smoke detection systems, very early warning fire detection systems, and their integration with monitoring and control platforms.

• Experience in supporting integrated systems testing, acceptance evaluations, and the commissioning of fire protection and life safety systems.

• Experience in evaluating performance-based fire protection alternatives and alternative methods and means.

• Basic multidisciplinary understanding of electrical, mechanical, controls, commissioning, pre-construction requirements, and construction processes.

• Ability to effectively communicate technical issues to senior leadership, consultants, contractors, AHJs, insurers, and non-technical stakeholders.

• NICET, EIT, or CFPS certification, or a desire to pursue industry certifications is preferred.

• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication abilities.

• Proven capability as a team player.

• Adept at solving problems at both tactical and functional levels.

• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Strong understanding of fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, and regulatory compliance standards.

• Proficient in reviewing, interpreting, and communicating engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, and testing requirements.

• Knowledge of risk management principles and fire protection strategies for mission-critical facilities.

• Capability to balance code compliance, operational reliability, maintainability, and project specifications.

• Experience in supporting hyperscale and colocation data center developments.

• Familiarity with FM-insured facilities, critical environment risk mitigation, and integrated testing that supports Tier III and Tier IV infrastructure.

• Experience collaborating with owners, contractors, consultants, and commissioning teams in dynamic data center development environments.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Flexible spending and HSA accounts.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.

• Paid volunteer days.

• Employee assistance program.

• Tuition assistance.

• Parental leave.

• Military leave assistance.

• QTS scholarship for dependents.

• Wellness program.

• Additional company benefits.

• Bonus eligibility.