Overview

Location(s): Multi-state

Work Environment: Hybrid/Remote

Preferred to be at Dudek office, remote is acceptable
Compensation: $140,000-$165,000 annually*

Position Overview

Who You Are

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You'll Make an Impact

We are seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to assist clients in the development of energy infrastructure, including battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities. The successful candidate will serve as both a technical expert and business partner with Dudek clients. This individual should possess extensive expertise in energy and BESS technologies and demonstrate proven experience in conducting safety assessments, hazard analyses, and implementing risk mitigation strategies. Responsibilities include ensuring that fire detection and suppression systems for projects comply with relevant regulatory standards (such as NFPA 855 and UL 9540), review of 9540A test reports, discussion of applicability to system design constraints, and ensuring that system designs meet local and state requirements as required by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). The fire protection engineer will collaborate closely with the energy design team to develop fire detection, suppression, and ventilation solutions for indoor, outdoor, and containerized BESS installations. Familiarity with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling for simulating fire, smoke, and gas dispersion is essential, along with the capability to coordinate effectively with AHJs, insurers, and project stakeholders to secure project approvals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain client relationships and consistently deliver high-quality work products.
• Support business development through networking, marketing initiatives, quality work products, and client referrals.
• Develop and present comprehensive proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and bids for fire engineering services.
• Ensure projects adhere to fire safety standards (e.g., UL 9540, NFPA 855) by reviewing design specifications, performing risk analyses (Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), modeling), designing suppression and detection systems, coordinating with authorities (AHJs, first responders), and formulating emergency plans that emphasize holistic, risk-based solutions throughout all project phases.
• Design, implement, and oversee fire suppression (such as water mist), detection (UV/IR), gas detection, and explosion mitigation systems.
• Provide technical support and review for fire, propagation, and system integration testing (UL 9540A), including evaluation of test reports and applicability to design constraints.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on BESS fire safety, offering guidance regarding complex codes, standards, and industry best practices.
• Assess BESS product designs, system layouts, fire suppression and alarm/detection systems, and ventilation strategies for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct analyses including HMA, FMEA, heat flux assessments, and CFD modeling.
• Ensure all designs comply with applicable codes and local regulations (NFPA, IFC, UL); prepare technical documentation for AHJ submissions; and manage related filings.
• Foster relationships with Fire Marshals, first responders, regulators, public utility commissions, and community stakeholders, providing education about BESS hazards and emergency response procedures.
• Develop and routinely update Emergency Response Plans (ERPs/EOPs) for scenarios such as thermal runaway incidents.
• Possess a background in fire protection or mechanical engineering with knowledge of HVAC, electrical systems, building management systems (BMS), and modeling techniques.
• Present findings and recommendations to decision-making committees, project teams, and industry groups.
• Remain current with industry advancements, new energy storage chemistries and technologies, innovative techniques, and evolving best practices.
• Design and Analysis: Develop, evaluate, and/or analyze fire protection systems and strategies for energy projects, including BESS facilities, substations, and related infrastructure.
• Regulatory Compliance: Interpret and apply NFPA standards, California Fire Code, and other applicable fire safety regulations.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct fire hazard analyses, fire behavior modeling, and mitigation planning for high-risk environments such as wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones including use of FDS or other Fire Dynamic Modeling software developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to evaluate fire/smoke/plume development and progression.
• Project Integration: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate fire protection measures into civil, electrical, and structural designs.
• Safety Planning: Prepare and review Hazard Mitigation Analyses, Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), Fire Protection Plans (FPPs) and Fire Safety Plans, including emergency response protocols, defensible space requirements, and ignition-resistant construction standards.
• Technical Leadership: Provide expert guidance on fire prevention strategies, suppression systems, and hazard mitigation for large-scale energy projects.
• Other Duties as Assigned:Dudek is a unique and dynamic firm that solves new unforeseen challenges for clients daily.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in Fire Protection Consulting (Minimum 5+ years in fire protection engineering, with demonstrable experience on energy projects and battery energy storage systems).
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field (Fire Science, Mechanical Engineering).
• License: Current Fire Protection Engineer.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in fire modeling tools (various models developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) including Fire Dynamics Simulator).
• Familiarity with NFPA codes, California Fire Code, and local fire agency requirements.
• Knowledge of fire suppression systems, thermal management, and hazard mitigation principles.
• Professional Certifications: Preferred - Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) or equivalent.
• Professional Associations: Preferred - Active member within the Society of Fire Protection Engineers
• Experience with AutoCAD
• Valid driver's license and personal auto liability insurance required at start

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of energy storage safety standards, including cascading protections, suppression systems, and emergency response planning.
• Experience with GIS-based fire risk analysis and integration of fire protection systems into infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills for regulatory documentation and client presentations.

Compensation: $140,000-$165,000 annually*

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual's related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location.

Working Conditions

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.

• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.

• Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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