Early Careers Fire and Safety Engineer

Overview

Full‑Time Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer for WSP in Arlington, VA;
Boston, MA;
Columbia, MD;
Dallas, TX;
Houston, TX; and New York, NY. The role focuses on the design, development, site survey, testing, and inspection of fire and life safety systems in public and private sector building projects.

• Research building, life safety, and fire code requirements, including ICC and NFPA codes such as International Building Code and NFPA 101.
• Assist in the design of fire protection and life safety engineering systems, including automatic fire sprinklers, fire detection and alarm systems, smoke management systems, and egress systems.
• Prepare fire engineering calculations, including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis from simple hand calculations to complex 3D computational modeling.
• Assist in 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, review architectural drawings for compliance with building and fire code requirements, and produce fire safety strategy (basis of design) documents.
• Complete training on assigned tasks and exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company resources and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

• Bachelor or Master of Science Degree in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with a 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 for interacting with engineering and non‑engineering audiences.
• Proficient self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision and as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, and related tools.
• Track record of upholding workplace safety and adherence to WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules that may extend beyond the typical workweek and occasional travel as required by project specifics.

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation; paid parental leave; and paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings.

Expected Salary (all locations): $68,000 - $90,000.

WSP USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer under all applicable laws. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.