Fire Protection Engineer; M.S​/Ph.D

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.

We are committed to engaging multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower our clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!

Key statistics:

We are currently seeking a Fire Protection Engineer for our Thermal Sciences Practice in Bowie, MD. In this role, you will be responsible for participating in and leading the investigation and analysis of failures including structures, vehicle and wildland fires, explosions, industrial processes, combustion systems, consumer products, appliances, and automobiles.

• Evaluating the performance of fire protection, fire detection, and life safety systems
• Reviewing fire protection codes and standards
• Conducting laboratory assessments of material flammability
• Planning and executing experimental test programs
• Performing engineering calculations and analysis
• Conducting fieldwork
• Preparing proposals and technical reports, and presenting findings to clients

• Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering or M.S. + 3-5 years of work experience related to Fire Protection Engineering
• Strong technical background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and combustion
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Hands-on experience in executing experimental programs
• Hands-on experience in fire protection system design, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance is a plus
• Prior experience with prescriptive and/or performance-based analysis and application of NFPA and ICC codes and standards preferred
• Strong desire and ability to tackle a wide variety of problems within and outside direct area of expertise

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:

Life at Exponent

Our Impact

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being.…