Fire Protection Designer Jobs
Fire Protection Designer jobs are open across construction, engineering, and consulting firms, from entry-level CAD technicians to senior designers and project leads, with specializations in hydraulic calculations, fire suppression systems, and life safety compliance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Fire Protection Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 29+ Fire Protection Designer jobs
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location within the GES Global Engineering Services division.
We seeking a highly skilled and motivated Fire Protection, Mechanical, and Piping Design Engineer to join our Global Systems and Services team. This role will be responsible for delivering technical design expertise, coordinating multi-disciplinary work efforts, and developing standardized work processes to support critical infrastructure across Abbott facilities.
The ideal candidate is both technically proficient and highly collaborative, with the ability to balance detailed engineering design work and cross-functional coordination in a dynamic environment.
What You'll Work On:
Fire Protection Experience Required:
- Extensive Experience with upgrading and renovating existing building fire protection systems.
- Experience in system layout and Design of Wet, Dry, Pre-Action, and Deluge Sprinkler Systems.
- Ability to provide Sprinkler System Project Reviews, including Plans, Calculations, and Material Submittals. Adhering to Abbott’s standards, preferences, and good practices, while also meeting NFPA 13 and FM Data Sheets minimum requirements.
- Ability to provide Sprinkler System Modification Cost Estimates and drawings to support front end planning for potential Office or Lab Renovation projects. (nice to have)
- Ability to create a complete sprinkler demolition and construction package for submittal to Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
- Support Construction and Maintenance divisions for questions and/or drawing requests related to Modifications and Maintenance and Testing of existing building sprinkler systems.
TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
- Provide technical design expertise in fire protection systems, mechanical systems, and piping design.
- Prepares and communicates recommendations and respective action plans.
- Develop, review, and approve engineering drawings, specifications, and calculations if required.
- Coordinate design and execution of projects across multiple stakeholders, including internal teams, contractors, and external consultants.
- Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (NFPA, ASME, OSHA, local regulations).
- Support system design for new installations, upgrades, and renovations in manufacturing and commercial environments.
- Perform system evaluations, risk assessments, and troubleshooting of existing infrastructure.
- Provide technical guidance during construction, commissioning, and system startup.
- Assist in project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination to ensure timely project delivery.
Problem Solving / Innovation
- Creates cost‑effective solutions by analyzing complex issues, integrating technical and financial data, and improving designs, processes, and costs.
Organizational Interface
- Mentors, collaborates, and communicates effectively across teams and stakeholders to solve issues and meet project goals.
Additional Responsibilities
- Develops standards, leads testing/validation, manages documentation, resolves issues, and supports training and cross‑functional initiatives.
- Lead or contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, templates, and work processes.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (equivalent combination of education and work experience)
- Thorough knowledge of NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheets for sprinkler systems
- 5+ years of experience in fire protection, mechanical, and/or piping system design.
- Strong knowledge of industry standards (NFPA, ASME, ANSI, etc.).
- Experience with engineering design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit software).
- Demonstrated experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering projects.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure a plus
- NICET Level III Certification for Fire Protection-Water Based Systems Layout, including 5 years minimum design experience.
- Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements.
- Experience developing engineering standards and operational procedures.
Key Competencies
- Technical leadership and engineering judgment
- Project coordination and stakeholder management
- Process development and continuous improvement mindset
- Attention to detail and quality orientation
- Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal
The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location within the GES Global Engineering Services division.
We seeking a highly skilled and motivated Fire Protection, Mechanical, and Piping Design Engineer to join our Global Systems and Services team. This role will be responsible for delivering technical design expertise, coordinating multi-disciplinary work efforts, and developing standardized work processes to support critical infrastructure across Abbott facilities.
The ideal candidate is both technically proficient and highly collaborative, with the ability to balance detailed engineering design work and cross-functional coordination in a dynamic environment.
What You'll Work On:
Fire Protection Experience Required:
- Extensive Experience with upgrading and renovating existing building fire protection systems.
- Experience in system layout and Design of Wet, Dry, Pre-Action, and Deluge Sprinkler Systems.
- Ability to provide Sprinkler System Project Reviews, including Plans, Calculations, and Material Submittals. Adhering to Abbott’s standards, preferences, and good practices, while also meeting NFPA 13 and FM Data Sheets minimum requirements.
- Ability to provide Sprinkler System Modification Cost Estimates and drawings to support front end planning for potential Office or Lab Renovation projects. (nice to have)
- Ability to create a complete sprinkler demolition and construction package for submittal to Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
- Support Construction and Maintenance divisions for questions and/or drawing requests related to Modifications and Maintenance and Testing of existing building sprinkler systems.
TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
- Provide technical design expertise in fire protection systems, mechanical systems, and piping design.
- Prepares and communicates recommendations and respective action plans.
- Develop, review, and approve engineering drawings, specifications, and calculations if required.
- Coordinate design and execution of projects across multiple stakeholders, including internal teams, contractors, and external consultants.
- Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (NFPA, ASME, OSHA, local regulations).
- Support system design for new installations, upgrades, and renovations in manufacturing and commercial environments.
- Perform system evaluations, risk assessments, and troubleshooting of existing infrastructure.
- Provide technical guidance during construction, commissioning, and system startup.
- Assist in project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination to ensure timely project delivery.
Problem Solving / Innovation
- Creates cost‑effective solutions by analyzing complex issues, integrating technical and financial data, and improving designs, processes, and costs.
Organizational Interface
- Mentors, collaborates, and communicates effectively across teams and stakeholders to solve issues and meet project goals.
Additional Responsibilities
- Develops standards, leads testing/validation, manages documentation, resolves issues, and supports training and cross‑functional initiatives.
- Lead or contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, templates, and work processes.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (equivalent combination of education and work experience)
- Thorough knowledge of NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheets for sprinkler systems
- 5+ years of experience in fire protection, mechanical, and/or piping system design.
- Strong knowledge of industry standards (NFPA, ASME, ANSI, etc.).
- Experience with engineering design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit software).
- Demonstrated experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering projects.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure a plus
- NICET Level III Certification for Fire Protection-Water Based Systems Layout, including 5 years minimum design experience.
- Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements.
- Experience developing engineering standards and operational procedures.
Key Competencies
- Technical leadership and engineering judgment
- Project coordination and stakeholder management
- Process development and continuous improvement mindset
- Attention to detail and quality orientation
- Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal
The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Fire Protection Designer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 29 Fire Protection Designer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Fire Protection Designer JobsFire Protection Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
- Consumer Goods
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in fire protection designer jobs.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD or Revit for fire protection drawing production
- Knowledge of NFPA 13, NFPA 14, and NFPA 72 codes and standards
- NICET Level II or higher certification in fire protection engineering technology
- Experience performing hydraulic calculations for sprinkler system design
- Associate or bachelor's degree in fire protection, engineering technology, or a related field
- Ability to coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines
Tips for Your Fire Protection Designer Job Search
Tailor your resume to code references
Hiring managers scan for NFPA 13, 14, and 72 by name. List the specific codes you've worked under on each project, not just 'code compliance.' Designers who name the edition they used stand out from generic applicants.
Show hydraulic calc software proficiency clearly
Employers expect fluency in AutoCAD, Revit, and hydraulic modeling tools like HydraCALC or SprinkCalc. Name each tool in a dedicated skills section so your resume clears automated screening before a human ever reads it.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists fire protection designer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your experience and apply directly to each listing.
Target firms by project type, not just size
A specialty contractor focusing on healthcare or high-rise residential will test your code knowledge differently than a general MEP firm. Read each job description for project types listed and match your cover letter to those exact project categories.
Prepare a portfolio with as-built drawings
Bring two or three sanitized drawing sets that show your drafting standards, riser diagrams, and hydraulic reference points. Reviewers assess your layering conventions and sheet organization as much as your design decisions during technical interviews.
Negotiate by citing your NICET level and state licenses
NICET certification and state fire protection engineering licenses directly affect your billable rate and project eligibility. Know which level you hold before salary conversations start, and frame your certifications as direct revenue value to the employer.
Fire Protection Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most fire protection designers?
The companies hiring the most fire protection designers right now include Western States Fire Protection, Western States Fire Protection Company, and EMCOR, with the largest share of openings in Arizona, Illinois, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is highest at MEP engineering firms, specialty fire protection contractors, and large general contractors managing complex commercial or institutional projects.
How many fire protection designer jobs are remote?
About 13% of fire protection designer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on coordination this role often requires. Design and drafting tasks are the most remote-compatible, while site verification, coordination meetings, and Authority Having Jurisdiction submittals typically require in-person or on-site presence.
How do you become a fire protection designer?
Start by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in fire protection technology or engineering technology, then pursue entry-level drafting roles at a fire protection contractor or MEP firm. Gain hands-on experience with NFPA codes and hydraulic calculations, then work toward NICET Level II certification, which most employers treat as the professional baseline for independent design work.
How do you get hired as a fire protection designer with little experience?
Apply to CAD or design technician roles at fire protection contractors, where you'll learn hydraulic software and code application on the job under licensed designers. Completing NICET Level I before you apply signals commitment to the trade. Internships with mechanical or fire protection engineering firms are another direct path, since most designers start in a production support role before taking on full design responsibility.
What does the fire protection designer interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone screen focused on your software experience and code familiarity, followed by a technical interview where you may be asked to walk through a past drawing set or explain how you approach a hydraulic calculation. Some firms add a short drafting exercise or redline review to assess drawing quality. Final rounds typically include a conversation with a project manager about how you coordinate with other trades.
Where can I find and apply to fire protection designer jobs?
You can find and apply to fire protection designer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience level, software skills, and preferred project type, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 29 Fire Protection Designer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Fire Protection Designer Jobs