Fire Protection Specialist Internships
Fire protection specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience evaluating suppression systems and life-safety code compliance, mentorship from working fire protection engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Consulting & Professional Services, with Buro Happold, JENSEN HUGHES, and Burns & McDonnell among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 69+ Fire Protection Specialist Internships
Job Description:
Welcoming different perspectives, like yours, is one of our strongest attributes
We’re a community of individuals with different points of view who enjoy opportunities to share our skills and ideas. We genuinely value people who will articulate their perspectives while respecting those of others. We value diversity, so here, you will find no limits to your professional growth. We will welcome you into the stimulating process of exchanging ideas for personal and professional growth.
Let’s talk about what you’ll be doing:
Parsons is seeking a Fire Protection Engineering Intern to support life safety, fire suppression (sprinkler, deluge, special suppression, etc.), fire alarm and detection, and mass notification designs, as well as general code consulting, for federal projects in the Pasadena, CA office.
Tasking may include:
- Revit design for life safety and fire protection systems
- Performing engineering calculations and analyses: Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Suppression Systems
- Performing research and creating engineering reports
All activities will be designed to give the intern a full understanding of the engineering design procedure and insight into the role that Fire Protection Engineers play in our industry. To facilitate their education and the quality of their experience each intern is paired one-on-one with a mentor of the same discipline. Interns participate in the 4D Internship Program where they interact with interns of varying disciplines and senior management within the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuing a Bachelors (3rd year or above) or Masters degree in one of the following disciplines: Fire Protection Engineering (or similar) and/or Mechanical Engineering
- US Citizenship
- Major GPA greater than 3.25/4.00
- Must graduate after September 2026.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Desired Skills:
- 3D Computer-Aided Design (Revit) experience and/or other design programs (CAD, AutoSPRINK, HASS, etc.)
- Knowledge of fire suppression and fire alarm & detection systems preferred.
- Familiar with NFPA Standards and International Code Council (ICC) Codes (IBC, IFC, etc.)
Parsons is a leading technology firm driving the future of defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.
Ready to join our team as an intern this summer?
Security Clearance Requirement:
None This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now. Salary Range: $22.93 - $40.14 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as 401K! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
COMPETITIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Financial Wellness
We care about your financial wellbeing. Parsons offers competitive pay and retirement plans to help you build wealth for the future while giving you the flexibility to diversify your investments.
Work Life Harmony
Balance in life is important and time away from the office is imperative to allow you to refresh and focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Parsons supports your time away by providing paid time off and paid flexible holidays.
Career Development
We are committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of our employees. Develop and advance yourself though our comprehensive training, educational and mentorship programs.
Veteran Support
We provide Industry leading benefits to support veterans and active-duty members to provide security for you and your family by offering robust leave and benefits; including paid active-duty military leave and paid time off when transitioning back to civilian life.
Mind & Body
At Parsons we inspire healthier habits, heathier minds, and a healthier you through our wellness program. Participate in our weekly Meditation Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays. Wellness, at Parsons, is more than just your annual checkup.
Health
Health is not a one size fits all. At Parsons, we offer a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans through large, national carriers with the choice of regional PPO, HDHP, or HMO networks.
Job Description:
Welcoming different perspectives, like yours, is one of our strongest attributes
We’re a community of individuals with different points of view who enjoy opportunities to share our skills and ideas. We genuinely value people who will articulate their perspectives while respecting those of others. We value diversity, so here, you will find no limits to your professional growth. We will welcome you into the stimulating process of exchanging ideas for personal and professional growth.
Let’s talk about what you’ll be doing:
Parsons is seeking a Fire Protection Engineering Intern to support life safety, fire suppression (sprinkler, deluge, special suppression, etc.), fire alarm and detection, and mass notification designs, as well as general code consulting, for federal projects in the Pasadena, CA office.
Tasking may include:
- Revit design for life safety and fire protection systems
- Performing engineering calculations and analyses: Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Suppression Systems
- Performing research and creating engineering reports
All activities will be designed to give the intern a full understanding of the engineering design procedure and insight into the role that Fire Protection Engineers play in our industry. To facilitate their education and the quality of their experience each intern is paired one-on-one with a mentor of the same discipline. Interns participate in the 4D Internship Program where they interact with interns of varying disciplines and senior management within the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuing a Bachelors (3rd year or above) or Masters degree in one of the following disciplines: Fire Protection Engineering (or similar) and/or Mechanical Engineering
- US Citizenship
- Major GPA greater than 3.25/4.00
- Must graduate after September 2026.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Desired Skills:
- 3D Computer-Aided Design (Revit) experience and/or other design programs (CAD, AutoSPRINK, HASS, etc.)
- Knowledge of fire suppression and fire alarm & detection systems preferred.
- Familiar with NFPA Standards and International Code Council (ICC) Codes (IBC, IFC, etc.)
Parsons is a leading technology firm driving the future of defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.
Ready to join our team as an intern this summer?
Security Clearance Requirement:
None This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now. Salary Range: $22.93 - $40.14 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as 401K! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
COMPETITIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Financial Wellness
We care about your financial wellbeing. Parsons offers competitive pay and retirement plans to help you build wealth for the future while giving you the flexibility to diversify your investments.
Work Life Harmony
Balance in life is important and time away from the office is imperative to allow you to refresh and focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Parsons supports your time away by providing paid time off and paid flexible holidays.
Career Development
We are committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of our employees. Develop and advance yourself though our comprehensive training, educational and mentorship programs.
Veteran Support
We provide Industry leading benefits to support veterans and active-duty members to provide security for you and your family by offering robust leave and benefits; including paid active-duty military leave and paid time off when transitioning back to civilian life.
Mind & Body
At Parsons we inspire healthier habits, heathier minds, and a healthier you through our wellness program. Participate in our weekly Meditation Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays. Wellness, at Parsons, is more than just your annual checkup.
Health
Health is not a one size fits all. At Parsons, we offer a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans through large, national carriers with the choice of regional PPO, HDHP, or HMO networks.
Fire Protection Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
Tips for Your Fire Protection Specialist Internship Search
Apply months before the internship starts
Large engineering firms and construction companies recruit summer fire protection specialist interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings in September and October for summer roles, and revisit throughout the year for rolling openings.
Build a portfolio before you need one
Hiring teams for fire protection specialist interns have little work history to evaluate, so your portfolio does the work. Document class projects showing suppression system design, hydraulic calculations, or life-safety code analysis. Include the tools you used, such as AutoCAD or FDS, and make the files accessible so recruiters can review them directly.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured fire protection specialist programs tied to your university, and your professors and career center staff often know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller companies running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and reduces competition for each opening.
Practice the technical screen before you submit applications
Fire protection specialist intern interviews typically involve a technical screen covering code interpretation, suppression system sizing, or scenario-based questions about NFPA standards. Practice answering out loud and walking through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you land on the right answer.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger engineering and construction firms run structured intern cohorts designed to train people new to fire protection. These programs recruit early and fill quickly because they offer mentorship, project variety, and a clear evaluation timeline. Identify the ones recruiting from your school or degree program and apply in the first wave of their cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 21% of the fire protection specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you're not spending time on roles that don't fit your situation. Filtering first also helps you apply faster when a matching opening appears.
Fire Protection Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a fire protection specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For fire protection specialist candidates, the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented project portfolio showing life-safety system designs, hydraulic calculations, or code-compliance analyses. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a fire protection specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For fire protection specialist interns, what actually drives it is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team at the time an offer would start, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for one by delivering consistently, without counting on it as a certainty.
When should I apply for fire protection specialist internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large engineering and construction employers recruit summer fire protection specialist interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single hiring season gives you the widest window.
Are fire protection specialist internships paid?
Most professional fire protection specialist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at engineering firms and large construction companies, though academic co-op structures occasionally vary. Always review the listing for compensation details before applying.
What should a fire protection specialist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools used and outcomes achieved, with links to CAD drawings, hydraulic calculation reports, or design portfolios wherever the work is accessible. Add relevant coursework in fire protection engineering, suppression systems, or life-safety codes. Keep it to one page.
Are there remote fire protection specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 79% of the fire protection specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them. Many fire protection roles involve site visits and hands-on system review, so check each listing carefully to confirm what the remote arrangement actually covers.
Can international students get fire protection specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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