Fire Alarm Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Deliver technical design leadership for fire alarm, detection, smoke control, and life safety systems within data center and mission-critical facility projects.

• Create fire alarm and detection systems utilizing manufacturers' equipment and adhering to data center best practices.

• Design detection and monitoring solutions for lithium-ion battery energy storage and UPS battery systems, covering off-gas detection, hydrogen monitoring, and thermal runaway response sequences.

• Formulate sequences of operation, equipment schedules, riser diagrams, device layouts, and specifications for fire alarms.

• Develop smoke control and management strategies that align with facility operations and life safety needs.

• Conduct quality control reviews on fire alarm and life safety drawings to ensure technical accuracy, compliance with codes, and alignment with design intent.

• Offer design direction and markup feedback on submissions from engineers and designers.

• Collaborate on designs with mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural, and fire protection teams.

• Engage with clients, AHJs, and fire alarm contractors to communicate and defend design intent, secure approvals, and troubleshoot technical challenges.

• Assist in field activities, including site observations, AHJ acceptance testing, and resolving issues during construction phases.

• Mentor junior engineers and drafters.

• Take part in design reviews and QA/QC processes across multiple concurrent projects.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in designing fire alarm systems.

• Possession of NICET Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) Level III or IV certification.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related discipline.

• Experience with Data Center projects.

• Comprehensive knowledge and design experience with fire alarm systems and associated manufacturers' equipment, including VESDA aspirating systems, VEWFD spot smoke detectors, and addressable panels.

• In-depth knowledge and design experience with releasing service and suppression interlocks, such as preaction and double-interlock preaction systems, clean agent systems, and interfaces for generators and battery enclosures.

• Profound understanding and design experience with lithium-ion battery hazards, including off-gas detection, hydrogen monitoring, and thermal runaway response sequences.

• Competence in IBC, IFC, NFPA 1, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 72 Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 92, NFPA 2001, NFPA 2010, NFPA 13, and NFPA 855.

• Familiarity with FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets as owner design criteria.

• Knowledge and application of NFPA 70 (NEC), particularly Article 760, and electrical design standards for fire alarm and life safety systems.

• Extensive design experience in fire alarm and life safety systems for data centers.

• Field experience related to the installation, testing, and commissioning of fire alarm systems, including acceptance testing with AHJs.

• Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD for generating comprehensive construction documents, including calculations for battery, voltage drop, and NAC and SLC circuits.

• Demonstrated ability to self-review work, validate cross-references, and confirm model numbers against manufacturers' data sheets.

• Capable of collaborating with the Engineer of Record, incorporating review feedback, and coordinating with drafters and other design disciplines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the capability to articulate design decisions to the Engineer of Record, clients, and AHJs.

• Able to manage multiple concurrent design tasks and meet deadlines without compromising quality.

• Capable of working with minimal oversight, making informed decisions, and moving quickly in a fast-paced environment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup.

• 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match.

• Unlimited paid time off (PTO).

• Parental leave.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care, or a Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Commuter benefits, where applicable.

• Opportunities for in-person collaboration during periodic team and company on-site events.