Lead Fire Protection Engineer - Mission Critical

Overview

Design fire protection systems for mission-critical facilities ensuring safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• system design
• hydraulic calculations
• commissioning testing
• project management
• client reporting
• mentorship

Tasks

-Develop and maintain fire protection system design criteria, technical specifications, and project documentation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and codes (NFPA, IBC, UL, local building codes, etc.). -Ensure the highest level of safety, operational continuity, and compliance with all applicable regulations and industry standards. -Design and specify advanced fire protection systems, including fire suppression (e.g., clean agent systems, pre-action sprinkler systems), fire alarm systems, smoke detection, and emergency life safety systems tailored to mission-critical environments. -Lead the design, implementation, and coordination of fire protection systems for mission-critical facilities, including data centers, server farms, telecommunications hubs, and command centers. -Mentor and guide junior engineers and technical staff, providing leadership and fostering professional growth in fire protection engineering practices. -Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and emerging best practices in fire protection engineering, particularly as they relate to mission-critical facilities. -Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil) and architects to ensure seamless integration of fire protection systems into the overall building design. -Perform detailed fire protection system calculations, including hydraulic calculations for sprinklers, and assessments of fire suppression system effectiveness, including special hazard systems. -Conduct risk assessments, system evaluations, and fire protection system analysis to determine the most effective solutions for mission-critical applications. -Prepare and present detailed reports, technical documentation, and presentations to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies as needed. -Oversee system commissioning, testing, and inspections to ensure that fire protection systems are installed and functioning correctly, meeting design specifications and regulatory requirements. -Provide technical expertise and support during construction and project implementation phases, addressing any issues or design changes that arise on-site. -Manage and track project schedules, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring timely and cost-effective completion of fire protection designs.

Requirements

• pe license
• cfps
• bim
• clean agent
• nfpa
• autocad

What You Bring

The Lead Fire Protection Engineer - Mission Critical will play a key role in designing fire protection systems tailored to mission-critical facilities, ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance. This role requires extensive experience in fire protection engineering, a deep understanding of the unique challenges of mission-critical environments, and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative, compliant, and cost-effective solutions. The ideal candidate will have experience in the design of fire protection systems for data centers, telecom facilities, and other high-security, high-availability environments. -Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment to deliver integrated solutions. -Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) or other fire protection-related certifications are highly desirable. -Experience with BIM (Building Information Modeling) and its application in fire protection design. -Strong experience with commissioning, testing, and inspections of fire protection systems in mission-critical environments. -Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus. -Familiarity with advanced fire suppression technologies such as clean agent systems (FM-200, Novec 1230), inert gas suppression systems, and pre-action sprinkler systems. -Strong project management skills, with experience handling multiple complex projects simultaneously while ensuring adherence to budget, schedule, and quality standards. -Knowledge of energy-efficient and sustainable fire protection design solutions for mission-critical facilities. -Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to interact with clients, contractors, regulatory bodies, and internal team members at all levels. -Minimum of 8-12 years of professional experience in fire protection engineering, with a focus on mission-critical facilities (e.g., data centers, telecom facilities, control rooms). -Familiarity with global fire protection standards and best practices, including experience working in international markets. -Experience designing fire protection systems for large-scale data centers or other mission-critical facilities, such as server farms, control rooms, or telecommunications buildings. -Expertise in relevant codes and standards, including NFPA (particularly NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 2001), IBC, UL standards, and local building codes. -Ability to perform risk assessments and system evaluations tailored to the specific needs of mission-critical infrastructure. -In-depth knowledge of fire protection system design for mission-critical applications, including clean agent systems, pre-action sprinklers, and smoke detection technologies. -Proficiency in fire protection system design software (AutoCAD, Revit, HydraCAD, etc.) and hydraulic calculation tools.

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Benefits

-2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal. -Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance. -Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

About Clayco

-Founded in 1984 by Bob Clark in St. Louis, the company grew rapidly with integrated design‑build services. -Moved headquarters to Chicago in 2013, expanding reach across North America. -Launched Clayco Compute in 2025, focusing on mission‑critical data center construction with 57 active projects. -Specializes in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Residential & Hospitality, Life Sciences, Data Center and Manufacturing sectors. -Typical projects include large‑scale data centers, life sciences facilities, manufacturing plants and hospitality developments. -Known for pioneering fast‑track, tech‑enabled design‑build methods—using BIM, drones and modular solutions. -Integrated subsidiaries cover architecture (Lamar Johnson Collaborative), concrete (Concrete Strategies), and façade systems (Ventana). -Handles end‑to‑end delivery—from site acquisition and financing through design, engineering and self‑performed construction. -Stands out for fully integrated project delivery, overlapping design and build phases to boost efficiency and innovation.

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