Designer- Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems

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Designer - Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) - Poway, CA

AMPAM is a leading Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractor serving large-scale multifamily and commercial projects across California. With 1,500 employees across multiple business units, we are committed to delivering quality, safety, and excellence in every project. In June 2026, AMPAM acquired Coastal Fire & Integration Systems ("Coastal"), a San Diego-area provider of fire protection, low-voltage, and life safety systems. This role will join the AMPAM team as a part of our Coastal Fire & Integration Systems acquisition.

Salary Range: $35.00 To $45.00 Hourly

We are seeking an experienced ERCES Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate, code-compliant Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) designs, shop drawings, permit drawings, as-built drawings, RF calculations, reports, and related project documentation.

This position requires advanced knowledge of in-building public safety communication design, including Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA), active and passive DAS infrastructures, donor antenna placement, and related RF systems. The Designer will work closely with project managers, estimators, field technicians, general contractors, engineers, consultants, AHJs, and customers to ensure designs meet applicable codes, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and field installation needs.

• Possess a working knowledge of radio frequency (RF) systems, specifically ERCES, BDA, and DAS architectures.
• Demonstrate competency in advanced ERCES design, including donor antenna pathing, link budgets, coaxial/fiber routing, splitter/tapper calculations, and fire alarm monitoring integration.
• Possess proficient knowledge of current codes and standards, including NFPA 1221, NFPA 1225, IFC Section 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, and FCC regulations.
• Be professionally licensed or certified in the area of expertise, such as an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certification, or possess equivalent industry experience.
• Be proficient in AutoCAD and iBwave to ensure efficient and accurate production of shop drawings, heat maps, permit drawings, design drawings, as-built drawings, and record documents.
• Be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, and related design/document management software.
• Have experience preparing ERCES submittal packages, permit drawings, equipment data sheets, link budgets, battery calculations, RF predictive heat maps, riser diagrams, antenna/device layouts, and related design documentation.
• Be able to read and interpret construction drawings, electrical drawings, architectural drawings, mechanical drawings, reflected ceiling plans, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Possess good communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Be able to communicate professionally with project managers, estimators, field technicians, commissioners, general contractors, engineers, consultants, clients, inspectors, plan checkers, and AHJs.
• Be able to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, depending on project size, complexity, scope, deadlines, and permitting requirements.

• Reading and interpreting construction documents, including drawings, specifications, contracts, addenda, RFPs, and scope documents.
• Actively participating in pre-planning the overall ERCES and low-voltage system design.
• Designing and laying out ERCES networks for complex buildings using CAD-based and RF predictive software.
• Preparing ERCES design documentation, including riser diagrams, antenna and headend locations, link budgets, battery calculations, fire alarm interface details, and other required design information.
• Preparing submittal packages, including drawings, RF calculations, predictive heat maps, product data sheets, equipment cut sheets, and supporting documentation.
• Designing systems in accordance with NFPA 1221/1225, IFC 510, California Building Code, California Fire Code, local AHJ requirements, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and other applicable codes and standards.
• Designing advanced communication enhancement systems, including high-rise headend integration, fiber-fed remotes, NEMA enclosure specifications, and dedicated monitoring interfaces.
• Reviewing architectural, electrical, mechanical, and other trade drawings to coordinate ERCES design requirements (e.g., dedicated conduit pathways, 2-hour fire-rated enclosures).
• Identifying design conflicts, scope gaps, code concerns, constructability issues, and field coordination concerns.…