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 JobsINTRODUCTION
At SSOE, our growth allows us to offer the opportunities normally associated with a large firm, while embracing the collaborative and supportive culture often found in smaller firms. You’ll experience our employee-centric culture that strives to offer a healthy work-life balance, great employee benefits, and a mindset of continuous learning.
SSOE is looking to hire a Fire Protection Engineer to join our team allowing the selected individual with the opportunity to participate in the design of state-of-the-art industrial and manufacturing facilities for the world’s leading companies. The position is assigned to the SSOE Toledo, Ohio office location, in the AMF Division.
As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for working with other contributing mid-senior level Fire Protection Engineers and design teams to create exciting and complex designs that incorporate some of the latest design techniques, while ensuring that all specifications are met, and to ensure timely completion of projects. This Fire Protection Engineer will support the drawing performance specification design, BIM modeling, coordination, and delivery of fire protection systems for industrial, commercial, and manufacturing projects. Working under the guidance of senior engineers, this Engineer applies fire protection engineering principles, BIM/Revit tools, and applicable codes and standards to produce quality design solutions and construction documents.
AI and Innovation
At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.
Responsibilities
- Applies intensive and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments.
- Makes decisions independently on engineering problems, practices, and methods and may create and refine unique design solutions. In the case of a licensed staff member, acting as a lead project engineer, this includes but is not limited to, the stamping/sealing of one's drawings/documents as well as drawings/documents done as the professional in "responsible charge" as defined by the applicable statute of jurisdiction.
- Plans, develops, coordinates, and directs a medium to large fire protection projects or a number of smaller complex projects with overall responsibility for budget adherence, schedule adherence, quality control, and inter-discipline coordination.
- Responsible for acceptance or rejection of major items involving materials, equipment, manufacturer's quality, and field construction.
- Supervision and guidance related largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, policy matters, and/or unusual problems and developments.
- Defines fire protection project scope of work and organizes into manageable tasks.
- Provides supervisor and project manager with scope of work change orders.
- Meets with client to define project scope, present project progress, and assure client satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Fire Protection. PE or PE-tracked preferred.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience in fire protection.
- Knowledge of AutoCAD.
- Proficient in Revit Design for modeling of fire protection piping and components.
- Knowledgeable of NFPA standards and international fire codes.
- Direct experience evaluating fire protection water supply requirements, fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations and system piping and sprinkler heads layout.
- Valid driver's license required. May be waived for international assignments.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $100,000-$125,000 /year depending on location, education, experience, and any certifications that are directly related to the position.
- Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K, PTO & paid holidays.
- Travel required.
INTRODUCTION
At SSOE, our growth allows us to offer the opportunities normally associated with a large firm, while embracing the collaborative and supportive culture often found in smaller firms. You’ll experience our employee-centric culture that strives to offer a healthy work-life balance, great employee benefits, and a mindset of continuous learning.
SSOE is looking to hire a Fire Protection Engineer to join our team allowing the selected individual with the opportunity to participate in the design of state-of-the-art industrial and manufacturing facilities for the world’s leading companies. The position is assigned to the SSOE Toledo, Ohio office location, in the AMF Division.
As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for working with other contributing mid-senior level Fire Protection Engineers and design teams to create exciting and complex designs that incorporate some of the latest design techniques, while ensuring that all specifications are met, and to ensure timely completion of projects. This Fire Protection Engineer will support the drawing performance specification design, BIM modeling, coordination, and delivery of fire protection systems for industrial, commercial, and manufacturing projects. Working under the guidance of senior engineers, this Engineer applies fire protection engineering principles, BIM/Revit tools, and applicable codes and standards to produce quality design solutions and construction documents.
AI and Innovation
At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.
Responsibilities
- Applies intensive and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments.
- Makes decisions independently on engineering problems, practices, and methods and may create and refine unique design solutions. In the case of a licensed staff member, acting as a lead project engineer, this includes but is not limited to, the stamping/sealing of one's drawings/documents as well as drawings/documents done as the professional in "responsible charge" as defined by the applicable statute of jurisdiction.
- Plans, develops, coordinates, and directs a medium to large fire protection projects or a number of smaller complex projects with overall responsibility for budget adherence, schedule adherence, quality control, and inter-discipline coordination.
- Responsible for acceptance or rejection of major items involving materials, equipment, manufacturer's quality, and field construction.
- Supervision and guidance related largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, policy matters, and/or unusual problems and developments.
- Defines fire protection project scope of work and organizes into manageable tasks.
- Provides supervisor and project manager with scope of work change orders.
- Meets with client to define project scope, present project progress, and assure client satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Fire Protection. PE or PE-tracked preferred.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience in fire protection.
- Knowledge of AutoCAD.
- Proficient in Revit Design for modeling of fire protection piping and components.
- Knowledgeable of NFPA standards and international fire codes.
- Direct experience evaluating fire protection water supply requirements, fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations and system piping and sprinkler heads layout.
- Valid driver's license required. May be waived for international assignments.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $100,000-$125,000 /year depending on location, education, experience, and any certifications that are directly related to the position.
- Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K, PTO & paid holidays.
- Travel required.
See all 45+ 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.