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Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Fire Protection Engineer

Knoxville, TN ยท On-site

$79K - $106K/yr

Executes assignments in Fire Protection Engineering for the Sentinel (GBSD) project. * Has technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, and coordinating Fire Protection issues with internal ...

Staff Fire Protection Engineer

Denver, CO

$85K - $115K/yr

Company Overview Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering - a legacy of responsibility we have proudly ...

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer information

See salary details

$45.5K

$99.5K

$172.5K

How much do entry level fire protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level fire protection engineer in the United States is $99,516.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level fire protection engineers in their first year on the job?

Entry level fire protection engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex building codes and standards, adapting to the fast pace of project deadlines, and learning how to effectively communicate technical information to clients and multidisciplinary teams. Gaining hands-on experience with fire modeling software and field inspections can also be demanding at first. However, most firms provide mentorship and training to help new engineers develop these skills and build confidence as they grow in the role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer vs Fire Safety Technician?

AspectEntry Level Fire Protection EngineerFire Safety Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in fire protection engineering or related field; may include certifications like NICET Level IHigh school diploma or equivalent; NICET certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning fire protection systems, performing calculations, collaborating with engineers and clientsInspecting fire safety equipment, conducting tests, ensuring compliance on-site
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, construction companies, industrial facilitiesBuilding management, safety consulting firms, maintenance companies

Entry Level Fire Protection Engineers focus on designing and analyzing fire safety systems, requiring technical degrees and certifications. Fire Safety Technicians primarily inspect and maintain fire safety equipment on-site. Both roles are essential in fire safety but differ in responsibilities, work environment, and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in fire protection, mechanical, or civil engineering, along with a fundamental understanding of fire safety codes and building systems. Familiarity with CAD software, hydraulic calculation tools, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and ensure safety compliance. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing effective fire protection systems that safeguard lives and property.

What does an Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer do?

An Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer assists in designing, evaluating, and implementing systems and strategies to protect buildings and occupants from the dangers of fire. Their responsibilities often include creating fire alarm and sprinkler system layouts, reviewing building plans for fire code compliance, performing risk assessments, and collaborating with architects and contractors. They also help ensure that fire safety systems meet local regulations and standards, while gaining professional experience under the supervision of senior engineers. This role is crucial for enhancing public safety and minimizing fire-related hazards in various types of facilities.
More about Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Protection Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Fire Protection Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Fire Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,516 per year, or $47.8 per hour.
FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER

$57K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: You will serve as the Engineering Division and Middle East District staff specialist and authority in fire prevention, fire protection, and life safety engineering.
Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experirence requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
GS -07 - Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes Assisting higher-graded engineers on fire protection-related tasks; Performing basic calculations and preparing simple drawings or sketches; Learning and applying basic fire protection codes and standards; and Assisting in the collection of data for fire protection system analysis. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses;
OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.;
OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.
For GS-09 - Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes Applying standard fire protection engineering principles to assist in solving problems; Assisting in the preparation of drawings and specifications for fire protection systems under the guidance of a senior engineer; Performing specific, well-defined parts of a larger fire protection project and Assisting in the review of basic contractor design submittals. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
For GS-11 - Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes Applying established engineering applications and strategies for fire protection concepts; Assisting in the development of plans, design analyses, and specifications for fire protection systems; Participating as a team member on projects and providing technical input to senior engineers; and Participating in a Fire Protection (FP) Team to review portions of contractor designs and witness system tests. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
For GS-12 - Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes Devising new and improved applications and strategies for engineering or architecture concepts; Developing original plans, design analysis, and specification for complex fire protection systems; Coordinating team projects to include providing technical oversight and direction; and Participating in a Fire Protection (FP) Team reviewing contractor designs, advising contractors on Fire Protection issues, and witnessing system tests as required by specifications and standards. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-11.
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.Education:In addition to meeting the basic requirement below, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed above under qualifications.
Basic Requirement for a Fire Protection Engineer:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure-Current registration as an Engineer Intern (El), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses-Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum-Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/Employment Type: OTHER

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About Army Corps of Engineers

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US