Fire Design Applications Engineer

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

📋 Description

• Assist government national accounts by providing technical presales engineering and developing proposals for intricate fire alarm and mass notification projects.

• Create comprehensive scopes of work, equipment lists, operational sequences, and labor estimates.

• Assess bid specifications, contract drawings, code narratives, and customer requirements.

• Compile exception lists, compliance matrices, technical take-offs, and clarification inquiries for customer or AHJ review.

• Establish product pricing by collecting quotes from manufacturers, vendors, and subcontractors.

• Utilize fire alarm, detection, notification, emergency communications, mass notification, and related life safety products to fulfill project specifications and adhere to applicable codes.

• Conduct value engineering of project specifications while ensuring compliance with codes, constructability, customer satisfaction, and project profitability.

• Analyze equipment applications, research approved alternatives, and verify compatibility with current and proposed systems.

• Assess and test fire alarm, detection, notification, and mass notification solutions in laboratory or demonstration environments.

• Inspect existing installations and document findings, design assumptions, and proposed solutions for upgrades, replacements, expansions, or modernization.

• Coordinate system drawings and design specifics with the CAD team using AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and other design tools.

• Collaborate with Field Engineering, Field Operations, Sales, and Service teams to ensure designs are feasible and meet customer expectations.

• Safeguard Federal Government data and documents by adhering to restricted data handling protocols, including CUI and other sensitive information standards.

• Generate precise, traceable scopes, estimates, and proposal documents from initial review to handoff.

• Clarify bid documents, code requirements, site conditions, and customer expectations at an early stage.

• Incorporate lessons learned from field feedback, design reviews, and code interpretation.

• Work in partnership with Sales, Field Engineering, Operations, Service, CAD, subcontractors, manufacturers, and federal customers.

• Identify labor, materials, programming, testing, documentation, and closeout requirements before finalizing proposals.

• Clearly communicate design decisions, risks, exceptions, and suggested alternatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• At least five years of experience in system design, estimating, technical support, or field work with fire alarm, life safety, emergency communications, or related low-voltage systems.

• In-depth knowledge of fire alarm system architecture, detection, notification, voice evacuation, releasing systems, fire alarm networking, annunciation, and integration with building systems.

• Experience in interpreting federal fire alarm and life safety regulations, including relevant NFPA standards, UFC criteria, and specific agency requirements.

• Ability to interpret RFPs, contract drawings, code requirements, and AHJ expectations and translate them into compliant scopes and proposal documents.

• Familiarity with one or more fire alarm platforms such as Simplex, Autocall, Notifier, EST, Siemens, Fire-Lite, or similar systems.

• Strong technical understanding of system layouts, device spacing, riser diagrams, sequences of operations, voltage-drop calculations, battery calculations, and fire alarm communications.

• High level of proficiency with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and related design tools.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the capability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

• Capacity to prioritize tasks, make decisions, and ensure follow-through with multiple stakeholders.

• Willingness to travel.

• U.S. citizenship and the ability to pass Government Agency background checks.

• NICET certification in Fire Alarm Systems or the ability to obtain it.

• Experience working with government accounts or in highly regulated customer environments.

• Additional experience in evaluating, modernizing, or replacing legacy fire alarm and mass notification systems.

• Familiarity with lab testing, product demonstrations, or field validation of life safety solutions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive Bonus plan based on individual, group, and corporate performance.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Paid vacation.

• Paid holidays.

• Sick leave.

• Collaborative work environment.

• Opportunities for cross-training.

• Chance to develop extensive expertise in fire alarm and life safety solutions.

• Strong emphasis on safety and teamwork.