Senior Fire Protection Engineer SME (Data Centers)

Jacobs is an engineering and consulting company delivering solutions for mission-critical facilities and other complex infrastructure needs. Jacobs is seeking a Senior Fire Protection Engineer and Subject Matter Expert to provide technical leadership for fire protection engineering across data center projects, including design oversight, code analysis, standards development, quality assurance, client coordination, mentoring, and business development.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Fire Protection Engineering Senior Engineer/SME for Data Center and Mission Critical projects
• Provide technical leadership and oversight for fire protection system design, code analysis, and life safety engineering
• Establish project fire protection design criteria, basis of design reports, and technical standards
• Lead fire protection design reviews and quality assurance/quality control efforts across multiple projects
• Conduct code evaluations and interpretations using applicable NFPA, IBC, IFC, FM Global, and client-specific standards
• Develop suppression system concepts, including
• Water-based sprinkler systems
• Fire pumps and fire water storage systems
• Pre-action systems
• Clean agent systems
• Special hazards protection systems
• Perform and oversee hydraulic calculations for site fire water distribution networks, fire pumps, water storage tanks, and sprinkler systems
• Coordinate fire protection designs with mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and architectural disciplines
• Interface directly with clients, insurance carriers, code officials, and AHJs to obtain approvals and resolve technical issues
• Support large-scale campus master planning efforts and establish fire protection strategies for hyperscale and AI-focused data center developments
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and support discipline growth initiatives
• Assist project managers with scope development, staffing plans, budgets, schedules, and risk management
• Support proposal development, interviews, and business development activities within the Data Center market
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, codes, and industry trends impacting mission-critical facilities

Requirements:

• • Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• • Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• • 15+ years of fire protection engineering experience
• • Demonstrated experience serving as a technical lead or subject matter expert
• • NFPA Codes and Standards
• • International Building Code (IBC)
• • International Fire Code (IFC)
• • FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets
• • OSHA requirements
• • Local and state fire codes
• • Experience designing fire suppression systems for large industrial, commercial, mission critical, or Data Center facilities
• • Strong understanding of fire pumps, water-based suppression systems, water supply analysis, and hydraulic calculations
• • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and mentor developing staff
• • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage executive leadership, clients, and AHJs
• • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Fire Protection Engineering
• • NICET certifications
• • Significant Data Center and Mission Critical facility experience
• • Experience with hyperscale, colocation, and AI-focused Data Center developments
• • Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), lithium-ion battery protection, and emerging fire protection technologies
• • Familiarity with fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, emergency communication systems, and life safety analysis
• • Experience developing engineering standards, specifications, and best practices
• • Working knowledge of Revit, BIM coordination, and hydraulic calculation software such as AutoSPRINK, HASS, HydraCALC, or similar tools
• • Experience supporting global project delivery teams and multi-office engineering organizations