Corporate Design Manager

PROVIDING RIGHT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL FIRE PROTECTION NEEDS SINCE 1990.
International Fire Protection (IFP) is an Alabama-based fire suppression company. We have charted our history and legacy in building a safer environment for our customers and communities. Therefore, LIFE SAFETY IS OUR BUSINESS, as such, we promise to provide the best life safety service to our customers through quality, integrity, honesty, and customer satisfaction.

• Flex Spending Accounts (health and dependent)
• 401(k), ESPP, Profit Sharing
• PTO & Company Paid Holidays
• EAP

The Corporate Design Manager role is an excellent opportunity for an experienced fire sprinkler designer who is ready to grow their career with International Fire Protection and take on a leadership position within a dynamic, essential industry.

In this role, you will lead and develop a team of fire sprinkler designers by providing technical guidance, training, and day-to-day support. You will partner closely with Division Leaders to plan, schedule, and coordinate design workload and resources across projects. This position is responsible for driving design department goals and ensuring efficient, consistent execution of design deliverables while supporting the effective daily operations of the team within the office.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong time management, scheduling, staff leadership, and communication skills. You will both perform and oversee the design and coordination of fire sprinkler systems, ensuring quality, accuracy, and timeliness. International Fire Protection also offers professional growth through company-sponsored leadership development courses and training. This role requires a hands‑on leader who sets the standard and leads by example.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical training to fire sprinkler designers across multiple locations.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize multiple projects independently to meet deadlines and departmental objectives.
• Review construction contract documents and coordinate with subcontractors, the general contractor, and/or the owner to obtain required information for sprinkler system design.
• Evaluate project requirements using strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to determine constructability and system options.
• Produce detailed fire sprinkler design drawings using AutoCAD, Auto Sprink, Hydra
  
  CAD, or similar design software.
• Coordinate design with other trades using BIM/3D modeling to support clash detection and constructability.
• Develop material stock lists and coordinate required bill of materials for project execution.
• Perform hydraulic calculations and support seismic design/coordination requirements as applicable.
• Develop preliminary design schedules and milestones for early‑phase project activities.
• Maintain accurate design records and historical documentation for reference and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain positive customer relationships to ensure expectations are met and issues are resolved promptly.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure accurate and timely handoff of project information.
• Monitor project progress and review reports to ensure compliance with schedule and budget guidelines.
• Assist with and/or lead field checks, verifying installation readiness and addressing site conditions impacting design.
• Ensure designs and deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, permits, and company requirements.
• Communicate project status, progress, and required changes to the owner and general contractor as needed.
• Support coordination of related systems (fire alarm and special hazard systems) as a plus.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or IFP management.

• NICET Level III or IV certification preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience designing fire sprinkler systems for commercial and industrial projects.
• Residential fire sprinkler design experience is a plus.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Auto Sprink, Hydra
  
  CAD, or other fire sprinkler design and layout software.
• Experience with BIM and 3D coordination in a…