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Fire Engineering Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

You are responsible for assisting with the development and growth of a fire protection engineering group equipped with up-to-date engineering and design tools and innovations, technical and ...

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ... The Fire Alarm Field Engineer II is responsible for field-level engineering support of fire alarm ...

Fire Sprinkler Designer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

We are a small fire protection engineering firm looking for a fire sprinkler designer with good experience and a desire to work on interesting projects. We don't do malls or fast food restaurants, we ...

Fire Sprinkler Designer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

We are a small fire protection engineering firm looking for a fire sprinkler designer with good experience and a desire to work on interesting projects. We don't do malls or fast food restaurants, we ...

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Fire Engineering information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$82.3K

$110.5K

How much do fire engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire engineering 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 are some common challenges faced by fire engineers when collaborating on construction projects?

Fire engineers often work closely with architects, contractors, and regulatory authorities to ensure that fire safety standards are integrated into building designs. A common challenge is balancing innovative architectural concepts with strict fire safety codes, which can require creative problem-solving and effective communication. Additionally, fire engineers must stay updated on evolving regulations and technologies, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and compliant throughout the project lifecycle. These collaborations demand strong teamwork and adaptability, as project requirements and designs can change rapidly.

What is the highest salary of a fire engineer?

The highest salary for a fire engineer can reach up to $100,000 or more annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles in large organizations. Salaries vary based on location, level of expertise, and the complexity of fire safety projects handled.

What is fire engineering?

Fire engineering is a specialized field of engineering that focuses on the prevention, detection, and mitigation of fire and its effects. Fire engineers design, analyze, and implement systems and strategies to protect people, property, and the environment from fire hazards. Their work includes developing fire safety plans, ensuring building code compliance, conducting risk assessments, and researching fire behavior. Fire engineering is essential in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and public safety.

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 grounding in fire safety principles, engineering fundamentals, and relevant building codes, typically supported by a degree in fire protection engineering or a related discipline. Familiarity with fire modeling software, CAD systems, and certifications such as PE (Professional Engineer) or CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) are often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and convey complex safety solutions. These skills and qualifications are crucial to designing safe environments, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting lives and property from fire hazards.

What exactly does a fire engineer do?

A fire engineer designs and evaluates fire safety systems, conducts risk assessments, and ensures buildings comply with fire codes and regulations. They often use specialized software and require knowledge of fire dynamics, building materials, and safety standards to prevent and mitigate fire hazards.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

In the field of fire engineering, high salaries reaching or exceeding $500,000 annually are rare and typically associated with senior roles such as fire safety consultants for large projects, fire protection engineers in specialized industries, or executives overseeing safety departments. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. Most fire engineers earn significantly less, with salaries varying based on location, experience, and employer size.

What is the role of a fire engineer?

A fire engineer designs and evaluates fire safety systems, assesses fire risks, and develops strategies to prevent and control fires in buildings and infrastructure. They often use specialized tools and require certifications in fire protection engineering or related fields to ensure compliance with safety standards.

What is the difference between Fire Engineering vs Fire Safety Engineering?

AspectFire EngineeringFire Safety Engineering
CredentialsFire Engineering degree or diploma, certifications in fire safetyFire Safety Engineering degree or diploma, certifications in fire prevention
Work EnvironmentDesigning fire protection systems, fire risk assessments, emergency planningImplementing fire safety measures, inspections, compliance checks
Industry UsageConstruction, industrial facilities, public safety projectsBuilding management, safety audits, regulatory agencies

Fire Engineering focuses on designing and analyzing fire protection systems and strategies, while Fire Safety Engineering emphasizes implementing safety measures and ensuring compliance. Both roles require similar credentials and often work together to enhance fire safety in various settings.

Infographic showing various Fire Engineering job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,267 per year, or $39.6 per hour.
Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

Early Careers Fire and Life Safety Engineer

WSP

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description


This Opportunity
At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready pioneers to innovate. We're looking to grow our teams with people who are ready to collaborate in building communities and expanding our skylines. To do this, we hire candidates of all experiences, skillsets, backgrounds and walks of life. We actively foster a work environment and culture where inclusion and diversity is part of our fundamental structure. This is delivered behaviorally, through our policies, trainings, local partnerships with professional diverse organizations, internal networks and most importantly with the support and sponsorship of our leaders who help drive our commitment to an inclusive, diverse, welcoming and equitable work environment. Anything is within our reach and yours as a WSP employee. Come join us and help shape the future!
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time Early Career Fire and Life Safety Engineer for the following offices: Arlington, VA; Boston, MA; Columbia, MD; Dallas, TX; Houston; TX, and New York, NY
Be involved in projects with our Fire and Life Safety (FLS) Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client's objectives and solves their challenges with innovative and cutting-edge technology.
This opportunity provides technical assistance for design, development, site survey, testing, and inspecting of fire and life safety systems on building projects in the public and private sector. Responsibilities include assisting with the research, design, concept development, planning; and optimal integration of automatic sprinkler, fire alarm, mass notification, and smoke control systems. Additional tasks include assistance with egress analysis, smoke control and egress modeling, and building and fire code analysis review and compliance. The ideal candidate will be accountable to their tasks and ensure that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
Your Impact
  • Research of building code, life safety code, and fire code requirements. This will include familiarity with both ICC and NFPA codes, including the International Building Code and NFPA 101.
  • Assist with the design of fire protection and life safety engineering systems including automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems, smoke management systems, and egress systems.
  • Assist in the preparation of fire engineering calculations including smoke modeling and evacuation analysis from simple hand calculations to complex 3D computational modeling.
  • Assist in the commissioning of fire alarm, fire suppression, smoke control, and life safety systems.
  • Perform routine engineering functions and provide entry-level technical assistance on various code requirements, calculations, and design strategies to develop performance-based solutions for projects.
  • Under general supervision, assist with review architectural drawings for compliance with building and fire code requirements, and with producing fire safety strategy (basis of design) documents to inform and support the chosen building characteristics throughout the design process.
  • Complete training on assigned tasks.
  • Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor or Master of Science Degree in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (with fire protection focus).
  • 0 to 1 year of fire protection and life safety experience
  • Excellent research skills with analytical mindset.
  • Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
  • Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
  • Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
  • Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
  • Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $68,000 - $90,000
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
#LI-MQ1
About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.