Senior Associate - Fire Protection

Overview

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), an employee-owned firm, is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and designers. This position can be located in either our Downtown Chicago office or at WJE company headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois
.

Building on the industry experience you bring to WJE, our team will commit to your development into a well‑rounded consultant; facilitating your continued deepening of technical expertise and project management skills, encouraging your participation in industry professional development opportunities, and supporting your desire to make a meaningful impact in your field.

• Assume responsibility for the day‑to‑day success of multiple projects, including acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; training and mentoring teammates; and managing small‑to‑medium projects, as appropriate.
• Perform on‑site investigations, condition assessments, and inspections, which may include surveying, documenting deficiencies, field testing, collecting data and samples, and preparing site visit reports.
• Develop fire growth, smoke movement, and egress zone models.
• Analyze field data, interpret model results, and perform research and review of construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem‑solving, and development of alternative designs for a variety of fire protection systems, building code issues, and life safety objectives.
• Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and final client deliverables, including written reports, calculation packets, construction documents, and project specifications.
• Contribute to company‑wide objectives through involvement in office and company development initiatives, in‑house Technical Resource Groups (TRGs) and research projects, and relevant industry committees and professional organizations (e.g., SFPE).

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, which may include designing and evaluating various fire protection systems; conducting building code analysis and code consulting; developing equivalencies for alternative methods and materials; writing fire protection building code programs; and/or building and analyzing complex fire, smoke, and egress models.
• Bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE); EIT in pursuit of PE will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with drafting, analysis, and modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD, REVIT, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), Pyro Sim, Smokeview, Pathfinder, and CFAST).
• Proactive, team player mindset with willingness to take on various responsibilities, tackle new challenges, and learn new skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands, while maintaining productive interpersonal relationships and a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail.

• Base salary determined through consideration of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of internal equity. A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is $ – $.
• Variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above‑market total compensation.
• Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA and low‑ and high‑deductible PPO options.
• Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately.
• Time off to care for yourself and others.
• Investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development.

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.