Senior Engineer, Fire Protection – BESS

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

📋 Description

• Oversee fire protection engineering, code compliance, hazard mitigation, and life safety design for utility-scale and commercial/industrial BESS projects from their initial design and permitting stages through to detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational support.

• Act as the technical lead and Engineer of Record when applicable.

• Assist in the development of internal BESS fire protection standards, tools, and best practices.

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary design teams, clients, owners, OEMs, AHJs, fire departments, insurers, contractors, and independent engineers.

• Direct BESS fire protection design, code evaluations, hazard mitigation strategies, and life safety assessments.

• Create and review design criteria, basis of design documents, code analyses, Hazard Mitigation Analyses, fire protection narratives, specifications, permitting packages, and Emergency Response Plans.

• Assess BESS layouts for compliance with codes, ensuring fire department access, appropriate separation distances, exposure protection, deflagration hazards, ventilation, gas detection, egress, and water supply.

• Analyze UL 9540A reports, manufacturer data, battery chemistry information, fire propagation data, gas generation data, and equipment fire safety documentation.

• Implement NFPA standards, International Fire Code, International Building Code, UL standards, FM Global standards, and local AHJ requirements.

• Create and review requirements for fire and gas detection systems, alarms, suppression, ventilation, fire water, hydrants/FDC, fire access, signage, and emergency shutdown protocols.

• Integrate fire alarm, gas detection, shutdown, monitoring, and other systems with electrical and SCADA engineers.

• Evaluate vendor submittals, contractor drawings, calculations, equipment data, and design packages to ensure alignment with project specifications.

• Work closely with AHJs, fire marshals, emergency responders, insurers, owner’s engineers, and independent engineers to address technical inquiries and facilitate approvals.

• Provide on-site assistance, commissioning support, troubleshooting, site assessments, and incident response as needed.

• Mentor technical staff, review junior work, and contribute to proposals, scopes, budgets, schedules, client presentations, and technical qualifications.

• Stay updated on BESS fire protection technology, incident history, codes, standards, and industry best practices.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant fire protection engineering experience, including at least 1 year specifically in BESS.

• Active Professional Engineer license is required; must hold a Fire Protection PE discipline, have passed the NCEES PE Fire Protection exam, or demonstrate capability to function as the responsible fire protection engineer for BESS initiatives.

• Willingness to work across various states and jurisdictions.

• Experience in applying fire/building codes and best practices to intricate industrial, energy infrastructure, or high-hazard projects.

• Comprehensive knowledge of BESS hazards, lithium-ion failure modes, thermal runaway, flammable gas generation, explosion control, fire propagation, and emergency response considerations.

• Familiarity with NFPA 855, International Fire Code, International Building Code, UL 9540, and UL 9540A.

• Experience in developing and reviewing fire protection design packages, detection/alarm concepts, suppression requirements, gas detection, ventilation/exhaust strategies, code analyses, and emergency response plans.

• Capability to coordinate with AHJs, fire marshals, clients, EPC contractors, OEMs, insurers, and multi-disciplinary design teams.

• Strong skills in written and oral communication, technical writing, interpersonal relations, project management, and meeting deadlines.

• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• Preferred: Direct utility-scale BESS and/or Fire Protection Engineer of Record experience.

• Preferred: Knowledge of FDS, PyroSim, Pathfinder, CONTAM, PHAST, FLACS, or similar software.

• Preferred: Experience in fire water supply analysis, hydraulic calculations, fire pump sizing, hydrant layout, suppression design, large-scale fire tests, plume analysis, or other BESS fire assessments.

• Preferred: Familiarity with FM Global data sheets, insurer requirements, owner’s engineer reviews, independent engineering evaluations, or project financing due diligence.

• Preferred: Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Navisworks, Microsoft Office, and other standard design/review software.

🏝️ Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off.

• Paid Parental Leave.

• Flexible work schedules are available for certain positions.

• Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to explore the world based on individual travel preferences.

• Competitive Compensation packages.

• Annual bonuses, spot bonuses, and peer recognition awards.

• 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation.

• Tuition Assistance.

• Student Loan Repayment.

• Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals.

• Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure.

• Employee Referrals.

• Annual Wellness Reimbursement for wellness-related expenses (Gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.).

• Dependent Care Match.

• Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), and Vision (VSP) coverage.

• Family Planning & IVF Benefits.

• Pet Insurance.

• Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options.

• Employer-paid LTD, STD, and life insurance.

• Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accidents, hospitalization, and critical illness.

• Member Assistance Program (MAP) offering complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services.