🔥 Fire Protection Designer | HFA

Design systems that save lives. Protect what matters. Build your future.

Are you ready to take your Fire Protection career to the next level? At HFA, we design systems that safeguard lives and property every single day—and we’re looking for a talented designer who wants to make an impact. If you enjoy solving complex design challenges, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and seeing your work come to life across the U.S., this is your opportunity.

What You’ll Do

As a Fire Protection Designer III at HFA, you’ll play a key role in designing and hydraulically calculating fire protection sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems for a variety of commercial, industrial, and retail facilities nationwide.

You’ll take ownership of your projects from start to finish—working under the direction of a licensed fire protection engineer—and be a trusted expert on design decisions, system performance, and code compliance.

You’ll also mentor junior designers, review designs for quality, and collaborate with other HFA disciplines—including architecture, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering—to create seamless, high-performing building systems.

Your Expertise

• Proficient in Revit, AutoSprink, and related design tools

• Familiar with high-rise alarm systems, voice evacuation, and Honeywell fire alarm systems

• Strong understanding of NFPA codes, fire protection standards, and building codes

• Ability to develop code-compliant sprinkler, alarm, and underground piping system designs, including riser diagrams

• Skilled in performing hydraulic and battery load calculations

• NICET Level III (or higher) in Fire Alarm Systems strongly preferred

• BSME, BS Fire Engineering, or equivalent experience

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At HFA, you’ll join a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and doing work that truly matters. You’ll have the chance to grow your expertise, mentor others, and see your designs protect lives across the country.

We offer:

• ✈️ Travel perks — earn airline miles, hotel points, and rental car rewards while visiting sites (15–20% travel)

• 💰 Competitive salary and benefits, including medical/dental, life and disability insurance, flexible time off, employee owned, and 401(k) with employer match

• 🧠 Access to industry-leading design tools and technology

• 🌟 A professional, engaging, and rewarding work environment where your ideas are valued

The Impact You’ll Make

As a Fire Protection Designer at HFA, you’ll do more than draft plans—you’ll design the systems that protect people and property. You’ll collaborate across disciplines, influence how buildings perform, and grow into a recognized leader in your field.

If you’re ready to build a career that makes a difference, we’d love to talk.

More detail here if you want:

Job Responsibilities:

• Designer can work, in an independent manner, to deliver completed construction documents on most client and/or project types, as well as provide high level of service for all phases of design.
• Communicate effectively to be seen as highly knowledgeable and/or an expert when discussing design challenges or projects, both internally and externally.
• Utilize education and experience to independently develop, implement, and draft construction documents for any project and/or project type (or at least major portions), as well as solve most design challenges that arise on a project.Apply their knowledge gained through experience and knowledge of recognized national standards to most project types, with minimal oversight from Fire Protection Engineer.
• Thorough knowledge of software assisting programs, such as HydraCad, and be able to apply throughout the design process.
• Designer should have good understanding of fire protection/building codes and how they affect design decisions in a project.
• Able to design and draft fire sprinkler, fire alarm and fire protection underground supply piping systems, including riser diagrams, for most projects.

Job Duties:

• Designer should serve as Fire Protection Design Lead or provide major quality control, training, or other technical functions for the company.
• Designer should be proficient in AutoCAD and/or REVIT. Designer should be able to train new employees on company standards, drafting techniques, and answer technical design questions for Sprinkler/Alarm Systems.
• Designer will work in a collaborative environment with Architects and other Engineers to develop construction documents based on a clients' requirements, including performing project management functions, quality control, or other duties as necessary.
• Designer should provide quality control on their own projects as well as others, with minimal oversight from Fire Protection Engineer or Fire Protection Design Lead.
• Designer will have direct client contact, unless in a strictly technical role for the company.
• Designer will establish projects budgets, with approval of supervisor, and work with team to ensure those projects are financially successful, unless in a strictly technical role for the company.
• Designer should be able to select and design Fire Sprinkler/Alarm systems and equipment, controls and provide energy calculations on most project types.
• Designer should be able to write specifications for most project types.
  

About HFA
HFA is a multidisciplinary architectural, engineering, and interior design firm who thrives in a people first driven environment. We build partnerships based on the integration of design thinking and project delivery. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we have developed a people-centric culture where we value our people at all levels. With a focus on well-being, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and a flexible work schedule.

Our team members have access to professional development opportunities and learning stipends to pursue professional growth, and we take any chance we can get to recognize and reward our people for their amazing work.

Education Requirements:

BSME, BS Fire Engineering or equivalent experience

3+ years of experience in fire alarm design

NICET Level 3 or higher in Fire Alarm Systems.