Fire Alarm Engineer 1 - Life Safety Group -Tysons, VA

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission‑critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values of agility, expertise, and trust we foster a collaborative and forward‑thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

The Engineer 1 provides engineering tasks for design, fabrication, off‑site production, installation and commissioning activities for fire detection and alarm, mass notification, fire suppression and other life‑safety systems. This includes gathering requirements, preparation of shop drawings and documents, coordination, quality control, programming, in‑house testing, field support and acceptance testing of systems.

• Lead the in‑house testing (PITCO) and commissioning phases.
• Perform programming and troubleshooting of fire detection and alarm systems, in PITCO and onsite.
• Provide training on the operations and maintenance of the system and produce close‑out documentation.
• Support the day‑to‑day operations of a project or sub‑section of a project.
• Perform site surveys and produce survey reports.
• Produce takeoff sheets, bill of materials, and contribute to project proposals.
• Participate in design of fire detection & alarm systems and mass notification systems.
• Provide building and life‑safety code‑compliant set of deliverables, including shop drawings and calculations to achieve the intent of design in construction.
• Be proficient in navigating the IBC International Building Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.
• Produce artifacts for correct planning of fabrication, in‑house testing (PITCO), and onsite commissioning of fire detection and alarm systems.
• Maintain organized and detailed project records.
• Create a task‑oriented schedule and maintain a baseline.
• Identify, document, and resolve issues.
• Lead lessons‑learned meetings.
• Support project‑closeout including punch‑list creation, management, and closure.
• Maintain as‑built drawings as work is completed.
• Read and interpret blueprints and project specifications.
• Uphold the business unit and company culture, and sponsor the correct use of processes, flowcharts, and standards.
• Communicate direction and ensure that it has been understood and carried out.
• Communicate with people outside the Company, represent the Company to customers, the public, the government, and other partners while maintaining a professional and courteous image.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Fire Protection, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical or related discipline is required with 0+ years of experience in programs and contracts of similar scope, type and complexity.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship for access to classified information. Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance required.

• NICET II in fire detection and alarm a strong preference.
• Intimate knowledge of fire alarm system architecture and programming.
• Intimate knowledge of NFPA and building codes.
• Experience commissioning and testing fire alarm systems.
• General life‑safety design knowledge along with programming and commissioning of FA systems; experience with Notifier & VESDA is a plus.
• Fluent in ACAD/Revit or other design tools.
• Proficient in complete system layout in accordance with code, battery calculations and…