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Fire Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Fire Alarm Field Engineer II is responsible for field-level engineering support of fire alarm systems on medium to large, complex projects. This role focuses on advanced troubleshooting, system ...

As a professional services firm we are seeking a Senior Fire Protection Engineer to join our growing North America Fire Protection Engineering Team. We are better together. Your role as a senior ...

Fire Protection Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$91K - $132K/yr

This position is long-term direct employment postion as a Fire Protection Engineer supporting the design, construction, and commissioning of Bechtel projects. The position will serve in the ...

Fire Protection - Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$76K - $110K/yr

As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will provide technical leadership in the design and analysis of active and passive fire protection systems and strategies. You will be involved in projects serving ...

Fire Protection - Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$71K - $101K/yr

As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will provide technical leadership in the design and analysis of active and passive fire protection systems and strategies. You will be involved in projects serving ...

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Fire Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$82.3K

$110.5K

How much do fire engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire engineer in Virginia is $82,267.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Fire Engineer vs Fire Safety Officer?

AspectFire EngineerFire Safety Officer
CredentialsFire engineering degree, certifications in fire safety and risk assessmentFire safety training, certifications in fire prevention and safety protocols
Work EnvironmentDesigning fire protection systems, conducting risk assessments, working on construction sitesInspecting premises, enforcing safety regulations, conducting safety drills
Employer & IndustryConstruction firms, engineering consultancies, industrial facilitiesGovernment agencies, corporate safety departments, facilities management

Fire Engineers focus on designing and implementing fire protection systems and conducting risk assessments, often working in construction and industrial settings. Fire Safety Officers primarily enforce safety regulations, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance within various organizations. While both roles require fire safety knowledge, Fire Engineers are more involved in system design, whereas Fire Safety Officers focus on safety enforcement and training.

What does a fire engineer do?

A fire engineer designs and evaluates fire protection systems, such as sprinklers and alarms, to prevent and control fires in buildings. They analyze fire risks, ensure compliance with safety codes, and often hold certifications like NFPA or FIA. Their work involves technical assessments, safety planning, and collaboration with architects and construction teams.

What engineers make $500,000?

High-earning engineers, such as senior software engineers, petroleum engineers, and aerospace engineers, can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in leadership roles. These roles often require specialized knowledge, advanced degrees, and work in high-demand industries or senior management positions.

What is the highest salary of a fire engineer?

The highest salaries for fire engineers can exceed $100,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or working in high-cost-of-living areas. Senior fire engineers or those in managerial roles may earn even higher compensation, often supplemented by overtime, bonuses, or specialized skills in fire safety systems and code compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fire Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Engineer, you need a solid background in fire protection engineering, building codes, and risk assessment, typically supported by a degree in engineering and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or CFPS. Familiarity with fire modeling software, CAD systems, and fire alarm and suppression systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help in designing safe structures and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for ensuring building safety, code compliance, and effective fire prevention strategies.

Is it hard to become a fire engineer?

Becoming a fire engineer requires completing relevant education, such as a degree in fire protection engineering or a related field, and gaining experience through training or apprenticeships. Certification and knowledge of fire safety codes and tools are also important, and the process can be competitive depending on the region and employer requirements.

How does a Fire Engineer typically collaborate with architects and construction teams during a building project?

Fire Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring fire safety compliance throughout the design and construction phases of a project. They regularly consult with architects to integrate fire protection systems, egress routes, and safety features without compromising the building's aesthetics or functionality. Fire Engineers also work closely with construction teams to ensure fire safety measures are properly implemented and adhere to local codes and regulations. This collaborative approach helps identify potential issues early and ensures the final structure is both safe and compliant.

What are Fire Engineers?

Fire Engineers are professionals who apply engineering principles to protect people, property, and the environment from the harmful effects of fire and smoke. They design systems and strategies for fire prevention, detection, and suppression in buildings and other structures. Their responsibilities include assessing fire risks, developing evacuation plans, ensuring compliance with fire codes and regulations, and investigating fire incidents to determine causes. Fire Engineers often work with architects, builders, and emergency services to enhance overall fire safety.
What job categories do people searching Fire Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Engineer jobs in VA? For Fire Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Fire Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,267 per year, or $39.6 per hour.
Fire Alarm Field Engineer II

Fire Alarm Field Engineer II

M.C. Dean, Inc

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

241st of 375 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
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.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-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 Fire Alarm Field Engineer II is responsible for field-level engineering support of fire alarm systems on medium to large, complex projects. This role focuses on advanced troubleshooting, system programming, system assessments, and commissioning support to ensure fire alarm systems operate in compliance with applicable codes, design intent, and customer requirements.
Responsibilities
  • Perform advanced troubleshooting of fire alarm systems to identify and resolve hardware, software, wiring, and network issues
  • Program, configure, and modify fire alarm control panels, networked systems, and interfaces in accordance with approved design documents
  • Conduct system assessments to evaluate existing fire alarm systems for code compliance, operational performance, and upgrade or retrofit needs
  • Create detailed test plans and procedures for complex and integrated fire alarm and life safety systems
  • Support commissioning activities, inspections, acceptance testing, and integrated system testing
  • Verify system operation against NFPA standards, local codes, AHJ requirements, and approved sequences of operation
  • Provide subject matter expert (SME) technical support to customers, project teams, and field personnel
  • Perform system take-offs and prepare bills of material (BOM) to support project execution and change management
  • Provide on-site technical support during installation, testing, and turnover activities
  • Coordinate with project managers, engineers, installers, customers, and AHJs to resolve system issues and deficiencies
  • Review drawings, submittals, and technical documentation to support accurate field implementation
  • Assist with RFIs, field change documentation, test reports, and project closeout deliverables
  • Participate in on-call rotation to support troubleshooting and emergency response as required

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Qualifications
Required Education / Technical & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Fire Protection, or related field.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience with fire alarm system installation, programming, testing, and troubleshooting
  • Strong knowledge of NFPA 72 and applicable building and fire codes
  • Experience programming and troubleshooting major fire alarm platforms (e.g., Siemens, Simplex, Notifier, Edwards, Bosch, or equivalent)
  • Ability to read and interpret fire alarm drawings, one-lines, sequences of operation, and test procedures
  • Strong communication, customer-facing, and documentation skills
  • This position has been identified as requiring an additional client background check.

Clearance/Citizen Type: 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).
Certification
  • Posses NICET Level II in Fire Alarm Systems or obtain within 90 days of employment
  • Posses NICET Level III in Fire Alarm Systems within 90 days of employment (Preferred)

Preferred
  • Experience with networked, campus-wide, or integrated life safety systems
  • Experience developing test plans and supporting integrated commissioning
  • Experience supporting mission-critical, industrial, or high-reliability facilities

Abilities:
  • The position requires the ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to [50 pounds] on a regular basis. Candidates must demonstrate physical strength and stamina to perform various tasks, including but not limited to, loading, and unloading, operating equipment, and assisting in the transportation of various materials. Proper lifting techniques and safety protocols must be followed to ensure personal and team safety.
  • Relocates a 12 foot stepladder without assistance.
  • Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
  • Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
  • Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
  • May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
  • Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Pay Range
USD $43.57 - USD $54.47 /Hr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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