ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Fire Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Wje

Fire Protection Engineer | 10+ years

Northbrook, IL

$101K - $169K/yr

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) , an employee-owned firm, is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and ...

Geneva, City of (IL)

Fire Marshal

Geneva, IL

$108K - $152K/yr

Interpret and apply adopted fire, building, and life safety codes while working collaboratively with developers, contractors, businesses, and community partners. Coordinate with City departments ...

City of Geneva, IL

Fire Marshal

Geneva, IL · On-site

$108K - $152K/yr

Interpret and apply adopted fire, building, and life safety codes while working collaboratively with developers, contractors, businesses, and community partners. * Coordinate with City departments ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsFire Engineer JobsFire Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Fire Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.8K

$85.5K

$114.9K

How much do fire engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire engineer in Chicago, IL is $85,480.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $101,000.00 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire engineer?

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.

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 is a fire engineer?

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 are popular job titles related to Fire Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Fire Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fire Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Fire Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,480 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Fire Protection Engineer | 10+ years

Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, Inc.

Northbrook, IL • On-site

$101K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), an employee-owned firm, is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and designers. This position can be located in either our Downtown Chicago office or at WJE company headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois.
Building on the industry experience you bring to WJE, our team will commit to your development into a well-rounded consultant; facilitating your continued deepening of technical expertise and project management skills, encouraging your participation in industry professional development opportunities, and supporting your desire to make a meaningful impact in your field.
If you are enthusiastic about solving problems, curious about how things work, and not afraid to get your hands dirty, we want you on our team!
Responsibilities:
  • Assume responsibility for the day-to-day success of multiple projects, including acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; training and mentoring teammates; and managing small-to-medium projects, as appropriate
  • Perform on-site investigations, condition assessments, and inspections, which may include surveying, documenting deficiencies, field testing, collecting data and samples, and preparing site visit reports
  • Develop fire growth, smoke movement, and egress zone models
  • Analyze field data, interpret model results, and perform research and review of construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem-solving, and development of alternative designs for a variety of fire protection systems, building code issues, and life safety objectives
  • Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and final client deliverables, including written reports, calculation packets, construction documents, and project specifications
  • Contribute to company-wide objectives through involvement in office and company development initiatives, in-house Technical Resource Groups (TRGs) and research projects, and relevant industry committees and professional organizations (e.g., SFPE)

Qualifications/Competencies:
  • Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, which may include designing and evaluating various fire protection systems; conducting building code analysis and code consulting; developing equivalencies for alternative methods and materials; writing fire protection building code programs; and/or building and analyzing complex fire, smoke, and egress models
  • Bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering or related field; master's degree preferred
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE); EIT in pursuit of PE will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Familiarity with drafting, analysis, and modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD, REVIT, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), PyroSim, Smokeview, Pathfinder, and CFAST)
  • Proactive, team player mindset with willingness to take on various responsibilities, tackle new challenges, and learn new skills
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands, while maintaining productive interpersonal relationships and a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail

Culture, Compensation, and Benefits:
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is a global firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists. Clients worldwide seek our expertise to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems in the built world. Our applied experience from more than 175,000 projects combined with unparalleled laboratory and testing capabilities have made WJE a leader in providing innovative yet practical solutions to the clients we serve.
Working at WJE is a team endeavor characterized by a culture of trust and personal responsibility. We encourage open communication, continuous learning, innovative thinking, ongoing mentoring, and free-flowing collaboration. We seek highly talented and hard-working individuals who want to be challenged, who want hands-on work, who want to set a higher standard, and who want to be mentored by the industry's most accomplished experts. People with outstanding Character, unwavering Commitment to our core and culture, strong Expertise, and genuine Enthusiasm for their work.
Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at www.wje.com/careers
WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry-leading benefits:
  • Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity.
  • Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above-market total compensation.

A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range:
$101,550.00 - $169,250.00
WJE's industry-leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits, including:
  • Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high-deductible PPO options
  • Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately
  • Time off to care for yourself and others
  • Investments in employees' educational assistance and professional development

Learn more about WJE's total rewards package here.
WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.

Apply