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Fire Watch Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Fire Protection Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Leidos is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer (with expertise in Fire Life Safety) to join the National Airspace System Integration Support Contract (NISC) team. This role is for someone with ...

Ready to suit up as a Fire Security Marshal. What matters most in a role like this is your ability to build meaningful connections. Tell us about how your natural ability to engage with others ...

Ready to suit up as a Fire Security Marshal. What matters most in a role like this is your ability to build meaningful connections. Tell us about how your natural ability to engage with others ...

Ready to suit up as a Fire Security Marshal? What matters most in a role like this is your ability to build meaningful connections. Tell us about how your natural ability to engage with others ...

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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Fire Watch information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$30.8K

$75.6K

$115.3K

How much do fire watch jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire watch in Elgin, IL is $75,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,600.00 and $91,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire watch?

The job of a fire watch professional is to monitor an area for a possible emergency. These roles are found anywhere there is a potential fire hazard, such as in welding or a shipyard, or in the absence of a sufficient emergency alert system. The job of a professional in welding is to monitor soldering or activities to ensure no smoldering fires break out. Other duties of someone in this role are to alert or notify emergency professionals if necessary, communicate with team members, and facilitate public or workplace safety. The qualifications you need to get a fire watch job vary, but specialized training may be required. Fire watch is subject to federal regulations through OSHA.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a fire watch?

Fire Watch personnel are responsible for monitoring areas where hot work, such as welding or cutting, is being performed to prevent fires. Their main duties include identifying potential fire hazards, ensuring fire extinguishing equipment is available, maintaining a clear evacuation route, and sounding the alarm or taking action if a fire occurs. They must stay vigilant throughout their shift and cannot perform other tasks during their watch. Fire Watch is often required by safety regulations in environments with increased fire risk.

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

To thrive as a Fire Watch, you need a strong understanding of fire safety procedures, hazard identification, and often a valid occupational safety certification such as OSHA. Familiarity with fire suppression equipment, alarm systems, and standard reporting tools is typically required. Attention to detail, vigilance, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are important to ensure rapid response to fire hazards, maintain workplace safety, and prevent accidents in high-risk environments.

What are the most common challenges faced by fire watch personnel on construction sites, and how can they be addressed?

Fire Watch personnel on construction sites often face challenges such as staying alert during long shifts, working in hazardous or changing environments, and effectively communicating with other site workers. To address these challenges, it's important to take scheduled breaks, use checklists to ensure thorough inspections, and participate in regular safety briefings. Building strong communication with the construction team helps ensure that any fire hazards are reported and resolved quickly, maintaining a safe work environment for everyone.

What is the difference between Fire Watch vs Fire Extinguisher Technician?

AspectFire WatchFire Extinguisher Technician
CertificationsOSHA, Fire Watch trainingFire Extinguisher, OSHA, possibly NFPA certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, industrial areas, during hot workFire safety inspections, extinguisher maintenance, service centers
Employer & IndustryConstruction companies, industrial facilitiesFire safety service companies, maintenance providers

Fire Watch and Fire Extinguisher Technician roles both involve fire safety but differ in focus. Fire Watch primarily monitors for fire hazards during construction or hot work, requiring OSHA and fire watch training. Fire Extinguisher Technicians inspect, maintain, and refill fire extinguishers, often needing NFPA certifications. While both roles serve fire safety, Fire Watch is more about supervision during specific activities, whereas Fire Extinguisher Technicians focus on equipment maintenance.

Are fire watch jobs hard to get?

Fire watch jobs are generally accessible but often require specific training, certifications, and adherence to safety protocols. Employers may prefer candidates with relevant experience or knowledge of fire safety procedures, which can influence the ease of obtaining such positions.

Do fire watch jobs still exist?

Fire watch jobs are still available and involve monitoring for fire hazards in construction sites, industrial facilities, or during maintenance work. These roles typically require safety training, fire extinguisher knowledge, and adherence to OSHA regulations. They are often temporary and scheduled around specific projects or inspections.

How do I get a job as a fire watch?

To get a fire watch job, candidates typically need to complete a fire watch training course and obtain any required certifications, such as OSHA or fire safety training. Employers often look for good observation skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work overnight or in hazardous environments. Prior experience in safety or construction sites can also improve chances of employment.

What are popular job titles related to Fire Watch jobs in Elgin, IL?

For Fire Watch jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fire Watch jobs in Elgin, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Watch jobs in Elgin, IL are:

What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Fire Watch jobs?

Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Fire Watch job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Watch job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,572 per year, or $36.3 per hour.

Fire Protection Engineer

Leidos

Chicago, IL • On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 495 rated business services


Job description

Leidos is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer (with expertise in Fire Life Safety) to join the National Airspace System Integration Support Contract (NISC) team.

This role is for someone with experience in Fire Life Safety/Fire Protection With their PE or wanting to become a PE.

Are you an EIT working to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE)?

We can help you obtain that goal.

The position will support numerous facets of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Fire Life Safety Program, FLS Guidance, policy development, and planning. You will assist the Environmental Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) Services Group to support and improve Fire Life Safety program elements intended to protect employees and others in the workplace and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and FAA laws and regulations.

Remote position

Up to 50% travel within central US

Candidate is preferred to be located anywhere within the central area of the US

Specific subject areas where services are needed include program management, training, Condition Risk Assessments (CRA) and Stairwell Pressurization Engine Generator (EG) replacement.

Fire Protection Engineer Primary Responsibilities:

  • Assist with the development of FLS code and standards analyses.
  • Provide guidance on the applicability of codes and standards to FAA facilities, its mission, and specific technical items encountered.
  • Provide FLS guidance to the FAA on program and Agency initiatives where the FLS program is a stakeholder.
  • Develop technical guidance on issues related to design and construction.
  • Assist with the development of standard specifications for installations at FAA facilities.
  • Assist with FLS programmatic planning initiatives, prioritization, and consultation regarding program direction and goals.
  • Authoring white papers, proposals, and analysis papers on any of the items above for distribution to FLS stakeholders.

FLS Condition Risk Assessments (CRA):

  • Conduct comprehensive fire protection and life safety surveys of critical air traffic control facilities including airport traffic control towers (ATCT), terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, in air route traffic control centers (ARTCC), and various other types of facilities supporting the FAA's air traffic control mission. The surveys require broad knowledge and experience in analyzing and evaluating these facilities against the applicable requirements of the International Building Code, NFPA 101, NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 72, NFPA 75, and other applicable codes, standards, and FAA orders.
  • Evaluate facility human element programs to address OSHA required Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, fire drills, and inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection and life safety systems.
  • Coordination of sites with customer on specific dates, locations, impacts to the facility, etc.
  • Develop and maintain a current schedule of CRA's at all times, with dates of visit, location, current status of CRA, team assigned, and other relevant information.
  • Provide additional CRA support as requested by AJW-23 Program Manager.

Fire Protection Engineer Basic Qualifications:

  • Relevant Bachelors' Degree and 4+ years relevant exempt experience or a relevant Masters' Degree and 2+ years relevant exempt experience.
  • Professional Engineer License or EIT certificate.
  • Strong working knowledge of applicable ICC and NFPA codes.
  • Past experience developing and/or providing holistic consultation on FLS programs.
  • Ability to produce FLS designs of a variety of critical FLS elements and be able to provide critical comments on FLS designs and installations.
  • Former experience in training FLS concepts and code application.
  • Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with FAA National Airspace System facilities, FAA staffed or unstaffed facilities, or similar government installations.
  • Experience with 29 CFR 1960.20.
  • Specific experience with programs at Federal agencies is preferred, with FAA experience weighted heavily.
  • Former training on the use/maintenance of Fire Protection systems.

Targeted salary will be $110,000.00 - $124,550.00, based on experience.

NISC IV

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:July 28, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $73,450.00 - $132,775.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.


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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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