Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

About the Role

WSP is seeking an Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer for offices in Arlington, VA; Boston, MA; Columbia, MD; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX, and New York, NY. This role involves providing technical assistance for the design, development, site survey, testing, and inspection of fire and life safety systems on building projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with research, design, concept development, planning, and integration of automatic sprinkler, fire alarm, mass notification, and smoke control systems.
• Provide technical assistance for egress analysis, smoke control and egress modeling.
• Assist with building and fire code analysis review and compliance.
• Research building code, life safety code, and fire code requirements, including familiarity with ICC and NFPA codes (e.g., International Building Code, NFPA 101).
• Assist in the preparation of fire engineering calculations, including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis.
• Assist in the commissioning of fire alarm, fire suppression, smoke control, and life safety systems.
• Perform routine engineering functions and provide entry-level technical assistance on code requirements, calculations, and design strategies.
• Under general supervision, review architectural drawings for code compliance.
• Produce fire safety strategy (basis of design) documents.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor or Master of Science Degree in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (with fire protection focus).
• Excellent research skills with an analytical mindset.
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements, which may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• 0 to 1 year of fire protection and life safety experience.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.