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Fire Life Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fire & Life Safety Engineer: HDR's Fire & Life Safety (FLS) team is continuing to expand our market sector expertise across HDR's client base, including Civic (eg: high-rises, auditoriums/arenas ...

Fire & Life Safety Engineer: HDR's Fire & Life Safety (FLS) team is continuing to expand our market sector expertise across HDR's client base, including Civic (eg: high-rises, auditoriums/arenas ...

Senior Fire Life Safety Engineer

Lenexa, KS · On-site +1

$98K - $134K/yr

Our Fire Life Safety Engineers are often the bridge between process safety, facility engineering and construction execution. They ensure that fire protection systems are not only code compliant but ...

Senior Fire Life Safety Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Our Fire Life Safety Engineers are often the bridge between process safety, facility engineering and construction execution. They ensure that fire protection systems are not only code compliant but ...

Senior Fire Life Safety Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$103K - $142K/yr

Our Fire Life Safety Engineers are often the bridge between process safety, facility engineering and construction execution. They ensure that fire protection systems are not only code compliant but ...

Senior Fire Life Safety Engineer

Arvada, CO · On-site +1

$107K - $147K/yr

Our Fire Life Safety Engineers are often the bridge between process safety, facility engineering and construction execution. They ensure that fire protection systems are not only code compliant but ...

Senior Fire & Life Safety Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$97K - $133K/yr

Mentors fire and life safety engineering personnel by providing on-the-job training and technical guidance to support professional development. * Contributes to and participates in technical training ...

Senior Fire & Life Safety Engineer

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$102K - $140K/yr

Mentors fire and life safety engineering personnel by providing on-the-job training and technical guidance to support professional development. * Contributes to and participates in technical training ...

Senior Fire & Life Safety Engineer

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$102K - $141K/yr

Mentors fire and life safety engineering personnel by providing on-the-job training and technical guidance to support professional development. * Contributes to and participates in technical training ...

Position Overview The Fire Life Safety Director is responsible for maintaining a safe and compliant environment by overseeing fire and life safety procedures at the assigned site. The position ...

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Fire Life Safety Engineer information

See salary details

$48.5K

$104.6K

$164.5K

How much do fire life safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire life safety engineer in the United States is $104,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire life safety engineer?

Fire Life Safety Engineers are professionals who specialize in designing, implementing, and maintaining systems and protocols that protect people and property from fire and other life safety hazards. They evaluate building designs, materials, fire detection and suppression systems, and ensure compliance with local codes and standards. Their work often involves risk assessments, plan reviews, and collaborating with architects, builders, and emergency responders to enhance overall safety. These engineers play a critical role in minimizing fire risks and ensuring that buildings are safe for occupants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire life safety engineer?

To thrive as a Fire Life Safety Engineer, you need a solid background in fire protection engineering, building codes, and risk assessment, typically supported by a degree in engineering and relevant licensure such as Professional Engineer (PE) certification. Familiarity with fire modeling software, AutoCAD, and NFPA codes is essential for designing and evaluating safety systems. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with architects, contractors, and regulatory agencies. These skills ensure the effective design and implementation of systems that protect lives and property from fire hazards.

What are some common challenges fire life safety engineers face when coordinating with building design teams?

Fire Life Safety Engineers often work closely with architects, contractors, and project managers to ensure that fire protection systems are fully integrated into building designs. A common challenge is balancing code compliance and safety requirements with the architectural vision and project budget. Additionally, effective communication is crucial to address design changes and unexpected site conditions without compromising fire safety standards. Navigating these complexities requires adaptability, strong technical knowledge, and proactive collaboration.

What is the difference between Fire Life Safety Engineer vs Fire Protection Engineer?

AspectFire Life Safety EngineerFire Protection Engineer
CertificationsNFPA certifications, PE license often preferredNFPA certifications, PE license often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning safety systems, code compliance, inspectionsDesigning fire suppression systems, risk assessment
Industry UsageBuilding safety, code enforcement, consultingFire suppression system design, manufacturing

Both roles require similar certifications and often work in building safety and fire protection. However, Fire Life Safety Engineers focus more on overall safety systems and code compliance, while Fire Protection Engineers specialize in designing fire suppression systems. They often collaborate but serve distinct functions within the fire safety industry.

What cities are hiring for Fire Life Safety Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Fire Life Safety Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Fire Life Safety Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Fire Life Safety Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Life Safety Engineer jobs?

For Fire Life Safety Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Fire Life Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,622 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Fire & Life Safety Engineer

Omaha, NE • On-site

HDR
Specialized Design Services • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


HDR rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 61 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 454 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. 


We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it's about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR's Building Engineering Services Group, you'll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

Fire & Life Safety Engineer:

HDR's Fire & Life Safety (FLS) team is continuing to expand our market sector expertise across HDR's client base, including Civic (eg: high-rises, auditoriums/arenas, detention, recreational), Federal (DoD, NASA, VA, NPS, GSA), Data Centers, Healthcare, Resources (hazardous materials, power, hydropower, waste, oil/gas/LNG, mining, industrial, fuels, material handling), Science/Tech/Labs, Transportation (aviation, rail, roads/bridges, marine, public transit), Water (water/waste/storm treatment), and many more.

Due to rapid growth in our Fire & Life Safety services, we are seeking a highly motivated Fire & Life Safety Engineer to join our multi-discipline design and engineering teams located in Omaha, NE. This individual will work closely with the regional Fire & Life Safety Business Class Lead and Team Leads, serving as a consultant to both internal project teams and external clients, while also contributing to the development and growth of our Fire & Life Safety practice.

As a member of our FLS team, successful candidates will be tasked with executing production and managing projects. You will also have a key role in providing leadership in continually evolving and delivering our fire & life safety design services which includes: active and passive fire and life safety systems, code consulting, life safety and egress evaluations, performance based design, fire/smoke/egress modeling, inspection and plan review, hazard and risk analysis, emergency management and planning, structural fire protection, fire root cause analysis, and accessibility consulting.

If you are self-motivated, goal and detail oriented, take pride and responsibility for your work, and want to advance your career in FLS within a leading A/E Firm that appreciates you and your ambitions, look no further.

Travel (domestic and international) may be required at various times. Travel is estimated to be 15% or less.

The Team: You will join a rapidly-growing Fire & Life Safety team that provides seamless coverage to projects located across the United States. The overall FLS team is distributed throughout the USA and works as an integrated element in larger A/E teams in a broad range of industries.

Success in this role will require the ability to:

  • Know your strengths, foster relationships, and be a proactive communicator.
  • Share our desire to grow our FLS team globally.
  • Collaborate in a Team environment with a positive and helpful attitude.
  • Be highly motivated, constantly seek improvement in how we do things, and be willing to take on new challenges.
  • Be able to participate in multiple projects immediately in a technical design and consulting role for successful delivery of projects through independent work and engaging other FLS teammates.
  • Cultivate good working relationships with project managers, project teams, FLS teammates, and other clients as we grow our team.
  • Effectively network with other fire and life safety industry professionals.
  •  

Duties and Skills:

  • Fire protection engineering and code consulting efforts; you may be responsible as engineer of record for projects across the country.
  • Project management, responsible for managing dedicated fire & life safety projects and FLS content of interdisciplinary projects.
  • Performing analysis of existing fire protection systems, as well as designing new fire protection systems including suppression systems, fire detection, alarm and mass notification systems
  • Providing consulting for life safety, building, and fire code compliance.
  • Develop thorough and clear Design Analysis, Summary of Code Requirements and Life Safety Plans, and accurate Reports.
  • Planning and design details including engineering concepts, distribution plans, riser diagrams, detail drawings, schedules, specifications, design analysis, engineering reports, etc.
  • Occasional on-site project observations and reviews; duties required to fulfill contractual obligations for construction phase services; overseeing other personnel assigned to this responsibility.
  • Experience in designing fire sprinkler, suppression, and fire alarm systems layouts utilizing hydraulic calculation programs, and knowledge of NFPA Codes and International Building and Fire Codes is required.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Engineering PE registration is required.
  • 5 years of technical and experience in a technical fire protection design or consulting role involving fire protection systems.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field.
  • Working knowledge of NFPA codes as applicable to HDR's project types.
  • Cultivate good working relationships with project managers, project teams, FLS teammates, and other clients as we grow our team.
  • An enterprising attitude and intrinsic commitment to being an active participant in our unique and dynamic employee-owned culture is a must.

Additional Beneficial Qualifications (in addition to the Minimum Qualifications):

  • Project management experience is desirable.
  • Experience with one or more of the following: electric fleet vehicle charging facilities, healthcare facilities, data center/mission-critical facilities, higher education, water/wastewater, industrial process facilities.
  • Experience identifying, recruiting, hiring, and managing team members.
     
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering
  • Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
  • Previous experience in commercial or institutional facilities
  • Computer experience using MS Office, Trane TRACE or similar software, manufacturer selection software
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.


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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917