STEM OPT Fire Protection Engineer Jobs
Fire Protection Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, letting you work for up to 36 months after graduation if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Your engineering degree qualifies under STEM CIP codes, and the 24-month extension gives you a meaningful runway to build U.S. experience while pursuing long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
Big challenges need bold thinkers.
If you’re someone who sees problems as opportunities, you’ll thrive here. RESPEC is 100% employee-owned, which means we take ownership of every challenge. Here, your ideas drive real solutions. Since 1969, we’ve tackled complex challenges in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability.
At RESPEC, you’ll work alongside clients to take on critical problems. Depending on your expertise, you might design infrastructure in remote locations, develop renewable energy solutions for global projects, or apply data-driven technology to improve mining and water systems.
We bring deep technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a commitment to work that matters. If you're looking for a place where your contributions have real impact, you’ll fit right in.
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.
Job Description
RESPEC is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to join our team in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a full-time, onsite position.
The Fire Protection Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining fire protection systems to safeguard our clients’ facilities and personnel. You will integrate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in various regions to develop comprehensive fire safety plans, develop strategies to mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with all relevant codes and regulations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, proactively collaborating with team members and clients to resolve technical challenges
- Provide technical review of project designs, plan drawings, engineering reports, technical specifications, and other contract deliverables for feasibility, technical accuracy, and quality
- Track project progress within established project scopes, budgets, and schedules and alert project managers of any issues that may affect them
- Support other market sectors on design projects as workload dictates
- Prepare clear and concise written communications and participate in client and team meetings
- Present design projects, as required, as part of outreach to clients and the public
- Conduct research and write technical portions of proposals to assist in bringing in new work
- Ability to conduct site visits across Alaska to review and document facilities and project progress
Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will possess:
Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in fire protection engineering or a related field
- Strong knowledge of fire safety codes and regulations
- AutoCAD and Civil 3D experience preferred
- Proficiency in fire protection design software and tools
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel)
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a clean driving record; position requires operating a company or personal vehicle during work hours for business-related travel
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Professional Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) license in the State of Alaska
Additional Information
Compensation: Salary depends on experience and expertise. Compensation includes a comprehensive fringe-benefits package. RESPEC is a 100 percent employee-owned company, and employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after a qualifying period.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
Big challenges need bold thinkers.
If you’re someone who sees problems as opportunities, you’ll thrive here. RESPEC is 100% employee-owned, which means we take ownership of every challenge. Here, your ideas drive real solutions. Since 1969, we’ve tackled complex challenges in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability.
At RESPEC, you’ll work alongside clients to take on critical problems. Depending on your expertise, you might design infrastructure in remote locations, develop renewable energy solutions for global projects, or apply data-driven technology to improve mining and water systems.
We bring deep technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a commitment to work that matters. If you're looking for a place where your contributions have real impact, you’ll fit right in.
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.
Job Description
RESPEC is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to join our team in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a full-time, onsite position.
The Fire Protection Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining fire protection systems to safeguard our clients’ facilities and personnel. You will integrate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in various regions to develop comprehensive fire safety plans, develop strategies to mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with all relevant codes and regulations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, proactively collaborating with team members and clients to resolve technical challenges
- Provide technical review of project designs, plan drawings, engineering reports, technical specifications, and other contract deliverables for feasibility, technical accuracy, and quality
- Track project progress within established project scopes, budgets, and schedules and alert project managers of any issues that may affect them
- Support other market sectors on design projects as workload dictates
- Prepare clear and concise written communications and participate in client and team meetings
- Present design projects, as required, as part of outreach to clients and the public
- Conduct research and write technical portions of proposals to assist in bringing in new work
- Ability to conduct site visits across Alaska to review and document facilities and project progress
Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will possess:
Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in fire protection engineering or a related field
- Strong knowledge of fire safety codes and regulations
- AutoCAD and Civil 3D experience preferred
- Proficiency in fire protection design software and tools
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel)
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a clean driving record; position requires operating a company or personal vehicle during work hours for business-related travel
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Professional Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) license in the State of Alaska
Additional Information
Compensation: Salary depends on experience and expertise. Compensation includes a comprehensive fringe-benefits package. RESPEC is a 100 percent employee-owned company, and employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after a qualifying period.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See all 61+ STEM OPT Fire Protection Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Fire Protection Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Fire protection engineering falls under STEM-designated CIP codes, but your DSO must confirm your specific degree program is listed. Pull up your I-20 and cross-check your CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program list before accepting any offer.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
STEM OPT is invalid without an E-Verify-enrolled employer. Ask recruiters directly whether the hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled, since subsidiaries and joint ventures sometimes hold separate E-Verify accounts from their parent organizations.
Target AHJ-facing roles to strengthen your I-983
Roles involving authority having jurisdiction inspections, code compliance reviews, or fire suppression system design map clearly to engineering training objectives. A well-scoped I-983 training plan tied to specific project deliverables is harder for USCIS to question during an audit.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified STEM OPT employers
Search Migrate Mate to surface fire protection engineering employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and prior STEM OPT or H-1B visa filing history, so you spend time applying to employers who already understand work authorization rather than educating hiring managers from scratch.
Raise H-1B timing early in final-year interviews
Fire protection engineering roles often sit with mid-size specialty contractors who have filed H-1B before but infrequently. Confirm their intent to sponsor before your 36-month clock runs out, since USCIS registration opens in March and a missed cycle means a full additional year of waiting.
Document PE licensure progress in your training plan
Many employers expect candidates to pursue a Professional Engineer license. Listing FE exam completion or PE application milestones in your I-983 training objectives demonstrates a concrete professional development trajectory, which supports both your OPT compliance and future H-1B specialty occupation arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fire protection engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree program is listed under a STEM-designated CIP code on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. Fire protection engineering and closely related engineering disciplines typically qualify, but your DSO must confirm your specific CIP code before filing the extension request. If your program is listed, you're eligible for the additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial OPT period.
Does my STEM OPT employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT. The specific legal entity that employs you, not just the corporate parent, must be enrolled. Before accepting an offer, ask the recruiter or HR contact to confirm enrollment using the employer's E-Verify company ID. If the company acquired or restructured recently, their enrollment status may not reflect the current hiring entity, so verify directly rather than assuming.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a fire protection engineer role?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your engineering degree. For fire protection engineers, that means listing concrete training goals such as conducting fire hazard analyses, designing suppression systems to NFPA standards, interpreting building codes for AHJ submissions, or developing egress plans. Generic descriptions like 'gain engineering experience' are insufficient. USCIS expects measurable outcomes aligned with your STEM field, and your supervisor must sign off on progress evaluations every 12 months.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery before my STEM OPT expires?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT end date and your status would otherwise expire before October 1, cap-gap protection automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30. You can continue working for the same employer without interruption. If your petition is denied or withdrawn, that cap-gap protection ends. USCIS confirms cap-gap eligibility, and your DSO can update your I-20 to reflect the extended authorization period.
Where can I find fire protection engineer jobs where employers are already open to STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters fire protection engineering roles by employers with E-Verify enrollment and prior work authorization filing history, which removes the uncertainty of approaching employers who have never sponsored before. Fire protection engineering demand is concentrated in construction, government contracting, and specialized consulting, so targeting employers in those verticals with documented sponsorship experience significantly shortens your job search timeline.