Lead Fire Protection/Plumbing Engineer

DLB Associates

$126K — $162K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical or fire protection engineering
  • PE license in a related discipline
  • Minimum of eight years of mechanical or fire protection engineering experience
  • Knowledge of designing mechanical, fire protection, and plumbing systems
  • Skilled in performing and analyzing hydraulic calculations
  • Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies for workflow optimization
  • Strong organizational skills for managing multiple tasks remotely

Responsibilities

  • Lead plumbing and fire protection design activities from concept to completion
  • Perform calculations for plumbing systems and analyze fire protection hydraulics
  • Utilize AutoCAD and Revit to create technical drawings and specifications
  • Conduct pre-construction surveys and prepare reports
  • Oversee the construction administration process, including reviewing shop drawings and responding to RFIs
  • Manage project design teams, forecasting resources and coordinating tasks
  • Identify and strategize around project scope changes to minimize impacts

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage options
  • PTO with extra time off during the last week of the year
  • Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description
Position Title: Lead Fire Protection and Plumbing Engineer

Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States

Salary

DLB recognizes salary ranges from job boards do not necessarily reflect our pay ranges. In many instances we out-compete those ranges for well-qualified candidates.

Job Summary

The Lead Fire Protection and Plumbing Engineer will have the opportunity to collaborate with all design staff and oversee full cycle plumbing and fire protection design activities for commercial building design and construction. This person will work as part of the Engineering Team and interact closely with the Project Management Team to produce construction documents, develop and edit project specifications and lead the construction administration process.

The Lead Fire Protection and Plumbing Engineer will be self-directed on day-to-day work and receive high level instruction on new projects or assignments. Will execute and lead design teams and design projects of complex scope. May coordinate activities of other personnel.

The Lead Fire Protection and Plumbing Engineer will communicate and operate in line with organizational goals and values, as well as departmental objectives.

Essential Functions

Lead Fire Protection / Plumbing Engineering Design Activities (50%)

  • Independently perform intermediate to advanced engineering work
  • Perform intermediate to advanced plumbing and fire protection design tasks including infrastructure layouts and detailed tenant fit-out designs for various occupancy groups
  • Perform intermediate to advanced computations and analysis for plumbing systems and can use this information to size pumps, piping and other system components
  • Independently perform and analyze hydraulic calculations for fire protection
  • Independently analyze and size fire pump systems and associated components when applicable
  • Utilize AutoCAD and Revit software to prepare drawings and visual aids
  • Prepare book or sheet specifications for plumbing and fire protection
  • Develop and / or review sequence of operations
  • Assist in proposal development including project scope, schedule and budget; generally, seeks supervisory input before sending to client
  • Timely and effective management of project design team including resource forecasting and coordination
  • Identify potential project scope changes and aid in development of strategies to minimize impact and control deviations from estimated costs and project deadlines
  • Support contact for design clients and builds effective, long-term client relationships
  • May direct interns / other engineering and technical staff

Lead Pre-Construction Activities (15%)

  • Survey existing building conditions and prepares technical reports of findings
  • Collect data and other information for construction documents
  • Prepare project design, specification and construction documents

Lead Construction Activities (25%)

  • May lead or work as part of the engineering team and interact closely with the project management team
  • Review shop drawings and submittals
  • Review and respond to RFIs
  • Review and complete punch lists and project closeout documents

Reporting (10%)

  • Prepare project progress reports for internal and external stakeholders
  • Update and maintain shop drawing and RFI log
  • Manage personal hours using company tools

Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency

  • Identify opportunities and lead the strategic use of technology, digital platforms, and AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency through workflow automation, reduced manual effort, and improved accuracy in forecasting, documentation, reporting, and quality processes.
  • Support adoption of emerging technologies - including advanced analytics, data visualization tools, and digital construction management platforms - to strengthen readiness, quality assurance, and project controls.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technology solutions align with DLB standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity.
  • Promote a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and the strategic use of technology to optimize performance and scalability.

Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned

Position Requirements (Advanced level for all the following)

  • Knowledge of designing mechanical, fire protection and plumbing systems
  • Knowledge of codes, code analysis and specifications for mechanical, fire protection and plumbing systems
  • Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management
  • Skilled in performing and analyzing hydraulic calculations
  • Skilled in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail
  • Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation
  • Ability to work successfully in a remote environment thru effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace
  • Ability to follow company and site safety requirements
  • Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports and correspondence
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form (technical and non-technical information)
  • Ability to communicate effectively directly with clients and at times serve as primary point of client contact
  • Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines
  • Ability to effectively plan and delegate the work of others
  • Organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously


Physical Demands

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

  • Frequently required to remain in a stationary position
  • Frequently moving through office, facility and other environments
  • On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds


Travel / Relocation Requirements

  • Up to 10%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states
  • Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meeting for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.


Education / Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical or fire protection engineering
  • PE in related discipline

PLUS

  • Minimum of eight years of mechanical or fire protection engineering experience


Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

  • Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
  • Flex spending accounts (FSA)
  • Dental and vision plans
  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
  • 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
  • PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
  • Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
  • Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
  • Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
  • Paid parental leave after one year of employment


CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

The pay range for this role is:

126,788 - 162,107.05 USD per year (Remote (United States))

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