Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

About the Role

WSP USA is initiating a search for a Full-Time 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 across public and private sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with research, design, concept development, planning, and integration of automatic sprinkler, fire alarm, mass notification, and smoke control systems.
• Assist with egress analysis, smoke control and egress modeling, and 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 with the design of fire protection and life safety engineering systems, including automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems, smoke management systems, and egress systems.
• Assist in the preparation of fire engineering calculations, including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis from simple hand calculations to complex 3D computational modeling.
• 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 to develop performance-based solutions.
• Under general supervision, assist with reviewing architectural drawings for compliance with building and fire code requirements.
• Assist with producing fire safety strategy (basis of design) documents.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• 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).
• 0 to 1 year of fire protection and life safety experience.
• Excellent research skills with an analytical mindset.
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation software, spreadsheets, and related technology and tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Accountability for tasks and adherence to responsibilities with quality meeting or exceeding industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
• Familiarity with ICC and NFPA codes, including the International Building Code and NFPA 101.
• Ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Authorization to work in the United States.