Fire Protection Senior Designer
General Description
The Senior Fire Protection Designer is responsible for leading the design and coordination of advanced, code-compliant fire protection systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. This position requires deep technical expertise in fire protection engineering principles, mastery of design software, and strong leadership in project coordination. The Senior Designer plays a key role in ensuring technical accuracy, guiding junior designers, and supporting the successful execution of complex projects. This role collaborates directly with engineers, project managers, field teams, and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality construction documents, system calculations, and fully coordinated designs that meet NFPA, local code, and project requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Advanced Design & Technical Leadership:
- Prepare detailed design drawings and system layouts for fire protection systems, including fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and special hazard suppression systems.
- Use design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and HydraCAD to create accurate models and construction documents. Oversee the same work from other designers.
- Perform hydraulic calculations and layout sprinkler systems according to NFPA requirements.
- Develop equipment schedules, system diagrams, and supporting technical documentation.
- Ensure all designs meet applicable codes, standards, and project specifications. Lead the development of detailed fire protection system designs, including fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and special hazard systems.
- Establish design standards, templates, and quality control processes for the Fire Protection team.
- Serve as a technical resource for complex code interpretations, system design options, and advanced engineering challenges.
Code Compliance & Technical Review:
- Interpret and apply NFPA standards, local fire codes, building codes, and insurance requirements during system design.
- Conduct peer reviews and approve design deliverables prepared by other designers
- Review drawings, specifications, and other project documents to ensure compliance and constructability.
- Coordinate with AHJs when required for design clarification or approval.
Coordination & Collaboration:
- Collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, and field supervisors to ensure designs align with project goals.
- Communicate with architects, general contractors, and consultants to obtain necessary design information.
- Assist in resolving design-related issues during construction through timely updates, revisions, and clarifications.
Project Support:
- Support estimating and preconstruction efforts by preparing preliminary layouts, system concepts, and material takeoffs.
- Provide rapid design adjustments, clarifications, and technical resolutions during construction.
- Review field surveys and update drawings to reflect field-verified conditions and final as-built documentation.
- Maintain organized project documentation, ensuring version control and adherence to company standards.
Education & Experience:
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Drafting/Design Technology, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 7+ years of experience in fire protection system design, engineering, or related technical roles.
- NICET Level III or IV in Fire Protection (Water-Based Systems Layout or Fire Alarm Systems) strongly preferred.
- Proven experience leading design efforts on complex or large-scale projects.
Technical Skills:
- Expert level proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, HydraCAD, and relevant design tools.
- Strong understanding of fire protection systems and associated equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings.
- In-depth knowledge of NFPA standards, IBC, IFC, and related codes.
Professional Skills:
- Strong leadership, mentorship, and team-building capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
Working Conditions:
- Primarily office-based with occasional site visits.
- Full-time with potential overtime during peak project periods.
- Fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Lee Mechanical, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Lee Mechanical believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is paramount to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
