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Senior Fire Protection Engineer Jobs in California

The Sr Fire Protection Engineer will play a lead role in design, testing, and inspection of fire protection and life safety systems. As a Sr Fire Protection Engineer you will: * Serve as a senior ...

The Sr Fire Protection Engineer will play a lead role in design, testing, and inspection of fire protection and life safety systems and act as the Design Lead for LA28 . LA28 & AECOM: Transforming ...

The Sr Fire Protection Engineer will play a lead role in design, testing, and inspection of fire protection and life safety systems and act as the Design Lead for LA28 . LA28 & AECOM: Transforming ...

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Senior Fire Protection Engineer information

See California salary details

$63.2K

$117.3K

$172.7K

How much do senior fire protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior fire protection engineer in California is $117,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $153,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Fire Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Fire Protection Engineer, you need deep expertise in fire protection engineering principles, building codes, and risk assessment, typically supported by a degree in engineering and licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Familiarity with fire modeling software (such as FDS), CAD programs, and relevant NFPA standards is essential, and certifications like NICET or CFPS are highly valued. Strong project management, leadership, and communication skills help you collaborate across disciplines and lead teams effectively. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring code-compliant, safe, and innovative fire protection solutions in complex building projects.

What is the difference between Senior Fire Protection Engineer vs Fire Protection Engineer?

AspectSenior Fire Protection EngineerFire Protection Engineer
Required CredentialsProfessional Engineer (PE) license, certifications like NICET Level III/IVEntry-level or mid-level certifications, often working towards PE
Work EnvironmentDesign, review, and oversee fire protection systems in complex projectsAssist in design, calculations, and system installation
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, engineering companies, large construction projectsArchitectural firms, construction companies, smaller projects

The main difference is experience and responsibility. Senior Fire Protection Engineers typically hold advanced certifications, lead complex projects, and oversee teams, while Fire Protection Engineers are often in earlier career stages, supporting design and implementation tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Fire Protection Engineers when working on large-scale construction projects?

Senior Fire Protection Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating fire safety requirements with multiple stakeholders, including architects, mechanical engineers, and local authorities. Balancing code compliance with innovative design solutions can be complex, especially in unique or high-risk environments. Additionally, staying updated with evolving fire codes and integrating new technologies into existing systems requires both technical expertise and effective communication skills. These challenges make problem-solving and adaptability essential in this role.

What are Senior Fire Protection Engineers?

Senior Fire Protection Engineers are experienced professionals who specialize in designing, evaluating, and implementing systems and strategies to prevent, control, and mitigate the effects of fire in buildings and other structures. They ensure compliance with fire safety codes and regulations, conduct risk assessments, and often lead teams to develop fire protection solutions. Their work includes selecting fire detection and suppression systems, reviewing building plans, and collaborating with architects, builders, and regulatory agencies. With their advanced knowledge and expertise, they play a critical role in safeguarding lives and property from fire hazards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Protection Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Fire Protection Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Fire Protection Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Fire Protection Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Fire Protection Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Fire Protection Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Fire Protection Engineer jobs in CA? For Senior Fire Protection Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Sr Fire Protection Engineer

AECOM

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


AECOM rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 78 rated construction


Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is actively seeking a Senior Fire Protection Engineer  to join our team in either our Los Angeles or Orange, CA office.  The Sr Fire Protection Engineer will play a lead role in design, testing, and inspection of fire protection and life safety systems. As a Sr Fire Protection Engineer you will:

  • Serve as a senior technical resource, offering specialized input to studies and design efforts while developing procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of engineering work.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary reviews, developing cost estimates, and ensuring the quality of design deliverables.
  • Prepare technical specifications, contribute to budget and schedule planning and review design calculations to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Work areas include private, state, federal and military, corrections, transportation, industrial, healthcare, and more.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Act as a design lead for the fire and life safety aspects of the LA 28 Olympics.
  • Design fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, special suppression systems, and more.
  • Develop life safety code compliance plans.
  • Develop permit documents.
  • Act as a technical advisor for project teams, providing expert guidance and addressing complex engineering challenges within the discipline of fire protection and life safety.
  • Participate in the interdisciplinary review of project deliverables, ensuring integration and alignment with overall project goals and requirements.
  • Develop construction cost estimates and estimates of technical efforts for projects, providing accurate financial assessments and resource planning.
  • Utilize your expertise in all steps of completing the discipline component of contract documents.
  • Perform quality control reviews of design calculations and drawings, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to standards.
  • Prepare detailed technical specification sections, outlining requirements and standards for fire protection systems and components.
  • Contribute to the development of engineering budgets and schedules, ensuring that project requirements are met within allocated resources and timeframes.
  • Lead fire protection and life safety design for large, complex projects.
Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree plus a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience or a demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
  • US Citizenship is required due to project restrictions

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering or related field.
  • Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent certification.
  • Extensive experience in fire protection engineering, including project management and technical leadership.
  • Deep understanding of fire protection systems, safety codes, and industry standards.
  • Proven ability to develop and review design procedures, cost estimates, and technical specifications.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Experience with interdisciplinary project coordination and quality control processes.
Additional Information
  • Based out of the Orange, CA or Los Angeles, CA office with occasional site visits and interdisciplinary meetings.
  • Collaborative and leadership role within a dynamic engineering team.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and involvement in complex, high-profile projects.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 


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