ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Freelance Fire Protection Engineer Jobs in Novato, CA

Holmes US

Fire Protection Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

🔥Elevate your Fire Protection Engineering career at Holmes US! 🚀 Are you a Fire Protection Engineer with a few years of experience ready to step into a role where your expertise truly drives ...

Holmes

Fire Protection Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

🔥Elevate your Fire Protection Engineering career at Holmes US! 🚀 Are you a Fire Protection Engineer with a few years of experience ready to step into a role where your expertise truly drives ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFire Protection Engineer JobsFreelance Fire Protection Engineer JobsFreelance Fire Protection Engineer Jobs in Novato, CA

Freelance Fire Protection Engineer information

See Novato, CA salary details

$17

$56

$155

How much do freelance fire protection engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance fire protection engineer in Novato, CA is $56.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.51 and $72.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance fire protection engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance Fire Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in fire safety engineering, building codes, and risk assessment, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional licensure (PE). Familiarity with AutoCAD, hydraulic calculation software, and fire modeling tools, as well as certifications like NICET or NFPA, is often required. Strong project management, client communication, and problem-solving skills help you excel in independent and collaborative environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering compliant, effective fire protection solutions and building trust with diverse clients.

What is the difference between Freelance Fire Protection Engineer vs Fire Safety Consultant?

AspectFreelance Fire Protection EngineerFire Safety Consultant
CredentialsEngineering degree, fire protection certifications (e.g., NICET, NFPA)Certifications in fire safety, risk assessment, and compliance
Work EnvironmentProject-based, on-site inspections, design, and engineeringAdvisory, planning, and compliance consulting, often office-based
Employer & Industry UsageIndependent contractor or small firm, construction, industrial, commercialConsulting firms, government agencies, large corporations

Freelance Fire Protection Engineers focus on designing and implementing fire safety systems, often working directly on projects. Fire Safety Consultants provide expert advice on fire safety regulations and compliance. Both roles require relevant certifications but differ mainly in scope and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance fire protection engineers when working with multiple clients?

Freelance fire protection engineers often juggle projects for various clients, which can present challenges such as managing differing expectations, adapting to unique building codes, and coordinating with diverse project teams. Staying organized and maintaining clear communication are essential, especially since each client may have distinct documentation requirements and project timelines. Additionally, freelancers must keep up-to-date with evolving fire safety standards and local regulations to ensure their recommendations are always compliant.

What does a freelance fire protection engineer do?

A Freelance Fire Protection Engineer designs and evaluates systems that help prevent, control, and mitigate the effects of fire in buildings and other structures. They work independently or on a contract basis, offering services such as fire risk assessments, system design, code compliance consulting, and safety inspections. Their expertise ensures that buildings meet local fire safety regulations and standards, helping to protect occupants and property. Freelancers in this field often collaborate with architects, construction teams, and building owners to implement effective fire protection strategies.
What job categories do people searching Freelance Fire Protection Engineer jobs in Novato, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Fire Protection Engineer jobs in Novato, CA are:
What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Freelance Fire Protection Engineer jobs? Cities near Novato, CA with the most Freelance Fire Protection Engineer job openings:
Freelance Fire Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Fire Protection Engineer job openings in Novato, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,503 per year, or $56 per hour.

Fire Protection Engineer

Harley Ellis Devereaux

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$112K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Fire Protection Engineer

HED is looking to add an experienced team member to our talented team. The Fire Protection Engineer builds on foundational experience to take independent ownership of portions of project design, documentation, and coordination.

About HED

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.

Position Summary
This role is trusted to perform fire protection engineering tasks with minimal supervision and supports project delivery from concept through construction. The Fire Protection Engineer serves as a technical contributor and emerging mentor, contributing to calculations, code research, QAQC, and coordination across disciplines. Individuals in this role are expected to deepen their technical knowledge, begin supporting client interaction, and develop the critical thinking required for future engineering leadership roles.

Essential Functions:

  • Lead design development and calculations for fire protection systems across schematic, design development, and construction document phases.
  • Independently perform fire protection design tasks – such as calculations, equipment sizing, and code compliance checks - with minimal input.
  • Prepare technical documentation for fire protection systems, including system descriptions and narratives, Division 21 specifications, equipment schedules, and redline markups.
  • Develop and review fire protection system layouts in Revit in coordination with architectural and structural backgrounds.
  • Coordinate fire protection design with internal disciplines and external consultants to resolve design conflicts and progress design.
  • Review and respond to fire protection RFIs and submittals with support from lead engineers
  • Perform field verification for fire protection conditions, assist with punch walks, and participate in fire protection construction observation visits.
  • Participate in early-phase design strategy discussions and support discipline leads with technical insight.
  • Engage in internal QAQC processes and perform peer reviews of fire protection drawings and documentation for code compliance and drafting consistency.
  • Begin mentoring designers and interns in software use, modeling best practices, documentation standards, and calculation basics.
  • Participate in internal and external project meetings, and support the preparation of agendas, meeting minutes, and follow-up documentation with a focus on fire protection scope.
  • Track and manage hours on assigned work and assist in project planning discussions regarding scope and resource allocation.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, required.
  • P.E. licensure required.
  • 5+ years in the AEC Industry preferred.
  • An understanding of the financial status of projects as they progress, development of cost budgets for projects, value of client relationships and be able to deliver projects with a focus on the quality is preferred.
  • Written and verbal communication skills commensurate with the position required.
  • Strong organizational skills required.
  • Revit experience required.
  • Experience with computers, specifically for word processing, spreadsheet use/creation and email required.
  • Detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible and curious personalities required.
  • Ability to work well with others under deadline situations required.

Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally via phone, video conferencing, and in-person.
  • Visual acuity to perform responsibilities.

Work Environment

  • We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home, with regular in-office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
  • The office is a professional, open-space environment for collaborative and independent work.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

#LI-DD1