Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

About the Role

WSP is initiating a search for a Full-Time Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer 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 in the public and private sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the 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.
• 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, such as the International Building Code and 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 regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• 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 when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• 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.