OPT Fire Protection Engineer Jobs
Fire Protection Engineer jobs on OPT require a degree in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations, making them well-suited for both STEM OPT (36 months) and standard OPT. Employers in construction, consulting, and federal contracting regularly sponsor these positions.
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Get Access To All JobsAt ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count!
Atlantic Constructors is seeking dynamic, motivated, career minded individuals to join our expanding team! Atlantic Constructors has been recognized as an industry leader in the Mid-Atlantic Region for over 50 years.
Benefits:
- $0.00 COST FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, SHORT TERM DISABILITY LIFE INSURANCE (EMPLOYEE ONLY) COVERAGE!
- Dental Insurance Plan
- Vision Insurance Plan
- 401(K) Retirement Plan with Generous Company Matching
- Health Savings Plan with Generous Company Matching
- Wellness Programs
Atlantic Constructors offers competitive benefits, for more information check out our comprehensive list on our website. ACIBuilds.com
Summary
Our Fire Protection Project Engineers work with and support ACI's field operations on industrial projects. The Fire Protection Project Engineer will report directly to the Director of Fire Protection – New Construction Division, with the primary responsibility of ensuring our field forces have the materials, equipment and information necessary to effectively complete the scope of work. As an extension of the ACI Project Manager (PM), the Project Engineer is ultimately responsible for understanding and accomplishing the customer's goals while protecting and promoting the interests of ACI and its subcontractors/suppliers in all project-related matters.
Essential Functions:
- The Fire Protection Project Engineer assists project management in the submission and review of permits, proposals, contracts, schedules and change orders
- Reviews specifications and drawings in preparation of subcontractor scopes of work and project tracking
- Understands contract documents and help identify scope gaps
- Prepares and distributes project RFI's and submittals and maintain subsequent logs
- Reviews vendor/supplier's submittals for conformance to contract documents and timely track the submittal process
- Manages project-specific materials and equipment purchases including: sourcing, maintaining vendor relations, ordering and tracking deliveries and receiving and processing invoices
- Assists project manager and procurement with the buyout process
- Creates and maintains internal project schedules and project tracking reports
- Supports field in expediting schedule, completion of field paperwork and expediting materials
- Assist project superintendent with enforcement of site safety and notifies management of any issues that arise which affects safety, quality, budget and progress of work
- Supports operations and Fire Protection Project Manager with client communications regarding project schedules and milestones
- Assists and supports the Project Manager by attending/scheduling project meetings with ACI's project team, clients, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers
- Prepares and distributes subcontractor and client's meeting minutes
- Coordinates and attends punch list walk-thru as needed; compile the punch list and forward to PM and Superintendent
- Compiles and provides closeout documentation (turnover packages) to the client at the end of the project (as-built drawings, O&M's, warranties, etc.)
- Establishes good working relationship and foster positive communications with other team members, management, vendors/suppliers and clients
- Keeps up-to-date on industry technology, trends and developments
- Performs other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering OR related field, and 1 to 3 years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience (preferably in a construction environment)
- Intermediate to advanced skill level in Microsoft Office products including Word, Project, Excel, Outlook and PDF Editing software (Bluebeam, Adobe)
- Familiarity with 3D modeling software (Revit, AutoCAD, Inventor, Navisworks) is a plus
- Ability to learn company-specific software as needed or required, e.g. Procore and Viewpoint
- Proven track record working with people, teams and projects
- Must be able to multi-task, work with minimal supervision, follow written and oral instructions, show attention to detail and demonstrate sound problem-solving skills
- Must adhere to all company policy and procedures
- Must be available to work assigned schedules
The work environment and physical demands required would be representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and may include, but are not limited to the following:
Work Environment:
- Works in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment
- Position may require visits to the construction site or jobsite assignments
Physical Demands:
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopier, filing cabinets and fax machines
Travel:
- Traveling out of state and overnight may be required
Preferred:
- Prior military experience
- Experience in industrial-scale mechanical construction projects as an Industrial Project Engineer
Fire Protection Engineer
Final compensation will be determined based on experience, education, licensure, skills, and other relevant factors.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
At ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count!
Atlantic Constructors is seeking dynamic, motivated, career minded individuals to join our expanding team! Atlantic Constructors has been recognized as an industry leader in the Mid-Atlantic Region for over 50 years.
Benefits:
- $0.00 COST FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, SHORT TERM DISABILITY LIFE INSURANCE (EMPLOYEE ONLY) COVERAGE!
- Dental Insurance Plan
- Vision Insurance Plan
- 401(K) Retirement Plan with Generous Company Matching
- Health Savings Plan with Generous Company Matching
- Wellness Programs
Atlantic Constructors offers competitive benefits, for more information check out our comprehensive list on our website. ACIBuilds.com
Summary
Our Fire Protection Project Engineers work with and support ACI's field operations on industrial projects. The Fire Protection Project Engineer will report directly to the Director of Fire Protection – New Construction Division, with the primary responsibility of ensuring our field forces have the materials, equipment and information necessary to effectively complete the scope of work. As an extension of the ACI Project Manager (PM), the Project Engineer is ultimately responsible for understanding and accomplishing the customer's goals while protecting and promoting the interests of ACI and its subcontractors/suppliers in all project-related matters.
Essential Functions:
- The Fire Protection Project Engineer assists project management in the submission and review of permits, proposals, contracts, schedules and change orders
- Reviews specifications and drawings in preparation of subcontractor scopes of work and project tracking
- Understands contract documents and help identify scope gaps
- Prepares and distributes project RFI's and submittals and maintain subsequent logs
- Reviews vendor/supplier's submittals for conformance to contract documents and timely track the submittal process
- Manages project-specific materials and equipment purchases including: sourcing, maintaining vendor relations, ordering and tracking deliveries and receiving and processing invoices
- Assists project manager and procurement with the buyout process
- Creates and maintains internal project schedules and project tracking reports
- Supports field in expediting schedule, completion of field paperwork and expediting materials
- Assist project superintendent with enforcement of site safety and notifies management of any issues that arise which affects safety, quality, budget and progress of work
- Supports operations and Fire Protection Project Manager with client communications regarding project schedules and milestones
- Assists and supports the Project Manager by attending/scheduling project meetings with ACI's project team, clients, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers
- Prepares and distributes subcontractor and client's meeting minutes
- Coordinates and attends punch list walk-thru as needed; compile the punch list and forward to PM and Superintendent
- Compiles and provides closeout documentation (turnover packages) to the client at the end of the project (as-built drawings, O&M's, warranties, etc.)
- Establishes good working relationship and foster positive communications with other team members, management, vendors/suppliers and clients
- Keeps up-to-date on industry technology, trends and developments
- Performs other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering OR related field, and 1 to 3 years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience (preferably in a construction environment)
- Intermediate to advanced skill level in Microsoft Office products including Word, Project, Excel, Outlook and PDF Editing software (Bluebeam, Adobe)
- Familiarity with 3D modeling software (Revit, AutoCAD, Inventor, Navisworks) is a plus
- Ability to learn company-specific software as needed or required, e.g. Procore and Viewpoint
- Proven track record working with people, teams and projects
- Must be able to multi-task, work with minimal supervision, follow written and oral instructions, show attention to detail and demonstrate sound problem-solving skills
- Must adhere to all company policy and procedures
- Must be available to work assigned schedules
The work environment and physical demands required would be representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and may include, but are not limited to the following:
Work Environment:
- Works in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment
- Position may require visits to the construction site or jobsite assignments
Physical Demands:
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopier, filing cabinets and fax machines
Travel:
- Traveling out of state and overnight may be required
Preferred:
- Prior military experience
- Experience in industrial-scale mechanical construction projects as an Industrial Project Engineer
Fire Protection Engineer
Final compensation will be determined based on experience, education, licensure, skills, and other relevant factors.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
See all 49+ OPT Fire Protection Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Fire Protection Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Fire Protection Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible degree fields
Fire protection engineering roles almost always require a degree in engineering or a related STEM field, which qualifies you for 36-month STEM OPT. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Focus on federal contractors and large consulting firms
Government contractors and engineering consultancies like ARUP, Jensen Hughes, and WSP regularly sponsor fire protection engineers. These employers have established immigration processes and are more likely to file H-1B visa petitions at the end of your OPT period.
Get licensed as early as possible
An Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification signals serious commitment to hiring managers. Many states allow you to sit for the FE exam while still in school. Pursuing licensure during OPT strengthens both your application and your H-1B specialty occupation case.
Highlight codes and standards expertise in your resume
Employers expect familiarity with NFPA codes, IBC requirements, and fire modeling software like PyroSim or FDS. Naming these tools and standards explicitly helps your resume clear automated filters and demonstrates the specialized knowledge that supports a specialty occupation visa filing.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting offers
Confirm sponsorship intent during late-stage interviews, not after signing. Ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B petitions for engineers before and whether they work with outside immigration counsel. This saves time and avoids difficult conversations later.
Track your OPT reporting deadlines carefully
Fire protection roles often involve multiple project sites, which can complicate employer reporting requirements. Any change in employer, job title, or work location must be reported to your DSO within ten days to keep your SEVIS record accurate and your OPT status valid.
Fire Protection Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fire protection engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Yes. Fire protection engineering consistently meets the specialty occupation standard because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this job title across consulting, construction, and government contracting sectors. Your degree field and job duties should align clearly in any petition.
Which employers hire fire protection engineers on OPT?
Engineering consultancies, federal contractors, code compliance firms, and large construction companies are the most active employers. Firms like Jensen Hughes, ARUP, Telgian, and WSP regularly hire fire protection engineers and have immigration infrastructure in place. You can browse OPT-friendly openings on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for employers open to sponsoring international candidates.
Can I work on multiple project sites as an OPT employee in this role?
Yes, but each work location may need to be documented. If your employer sends you to client sites or project locations outside your primary office, this can raise questions under your OPT reporting obligations. Keep your DSO updated on any material changes to your work location, especially if you move to a different city or state for an extended project assignment.
Does a fire protection engineering role qualify me for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a degree in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, or another qualifying STEM field, and your employer meets the E-Verify requirement, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO.
What should I do if my OPT ends before my H-1B petition is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT expires and you have a valid STEM OPT extension, you may be covered by a cap-gap extension that bridges your status until October 1 of that fiscal year. Work closely with your employer's immigration attorney and keep your DSO informed of all filing dates and status changes.