Senior Fire Alarm Design Specialist

Job Summary: The Senior Fire Alarm Designer Specialist is responsible for leading the design, coordination, and execution of complex fire alarm and life safety system projects for commercial construction environments. This role serves as a technical subject matter expert, overseeing all phases of design development from project inception through completion while ensuring compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes, customer requirements, engineering specifications, and Authority Having Jurisdiction standards.

The Senior Designer works closely with Operations, Field Teams, Project Managers, Engineers, Customers, and AHJs to develop high-quality design packages, provide technical guidance, resolve design challenges, and support successful project execution. This position also plays a key role in mentoring design team members, driving design consistency, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of complex commercial fire alarm and life safety system projects.
• Serve as the primary design resource for fire alarm system layouts, specifications, and technical compliance requirements.
• Partner closely with Field Operations, Project Management, Sales, Engineering teams, and customers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop complete CAD-based design packages including floor plans, device layouts, riser diagrams, panel schedules, calculations, sequences of operation, details, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Review project scope, contract documents, specifications, and design criteria to ensure alignment with customer requirements and project objectives.
• Interpret and apply NFPA 72, IBC, IFC, NEC, local codes, and AHJ requirements to all system designs.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on system architecture, device placement, survivability requirements, networked systems, and integration with related building systems.
• Coordinate designs with architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, and low-voltage disciplines to minimize conflicts and support successful installations.
• Review and approve design modifications resulting from field conditions, change orders, or customer requests.
• Develop and maintain accurate as-built documentation reflecting completed installations.
• Perform design quality reviews and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency within the design process.
• Assist in resolving technical issues encountered during installation, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Support permit submittals and address comments from AHJs, consulting engineers, and customers.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and intermediate designers.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting established schedules, budget expectations, and project milestones.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders regarding design progress, approvals, and project changes.
• Assist with the evaluation and implementation of new technologies, standards, and design practices.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required; technical degree, engineering technology degree, or related education preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in fire alarm system design and life safety systems.
• Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD, including floor plans, external references (XREFs), blocks, layers, plotting, and page setups.
• Demonstrated experience designing commercial fire alarm systems for new construction, tenant improvement, and retrofit projects.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA 72, NFPA 70 (NEC), applicable building codes, and fire/life safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, and construction drawings.
• Experience preparing complete design packages, including riser diagrams, battery calculations, voltage drop calculations, sequences of operation, and bills of materials.
• Strong understanding of fire alarm system integrations with suppression, security, mass notification, smoke control, elevator recall, HVAC, and o