Development Project Engineer - Fire Protection & Fire Alarm

Who we are:

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be. 

The Development Project Engineer – Fire Protection & Fire Alarm is primarily responsible for assisting with the design, preconstruction, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning activities for fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems across assigned projects. The Project Engineer will interact daily with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), Insurance Representatives, and Data Center Operations staff and should possess written and verbal communication skills commensurate with this level of engagement.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review drawing packages for adherence to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety design standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external design teams to evaluate designs to ensure compliance with established design standards, local code requirements, insurance requirements, and AHJ requirements.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to define project scope requirements, evaluate deviations from standards, and communicate requirements to design teams.
• Work with construction, commissioning, and risk management teams to answer Requests for Information (RFIs), code interpretations, and value engineering proposals.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to review OFCI equipment submittals for compliance with fire protection and fire alarm design criteria.
• Support project teams in resolving fire protection and fire alarm design issues discovered during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Work closely with strategic procurement teams on fire protection and fire alarm equipment procurement.
• Assist in reviewing fire protection hydraulic calculations, fire pump analyses, water supply evaluations, and system acceptance testing requirements.
• Assist in reviewing fire alarm system architectures, battery calculations, sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, and integrated testing plans.
• Support factory witness testing, site acceptance testing, integrated systems testing, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate with AHJs, insurance representatives, consultants, contractors, and commissioning teams to support project approvals and occupancy milestones.
• Support development and maintenance of standardized fire protection and fire alarm design standards for mission-critical facilities.
• Assist with evaluating fire suppression, fire detection, emergency communications, and life safety systems for compliance and operational reliability.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Basic experience with fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, construction, commissioning, facility operations, or engineering design.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, submittals, and construction documents.
• Understanding of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, and life safety systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience designing, supporting, or reviewing fire protection and fire alarm systems for data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments.
• Assist with project management responsibilities across multiple projects and campuses.
• Experience with fire alarm sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, system testing, and commissioning activities.
• Direct experience in the construction of data centers, critical medical facilities, industrial facilities, or other mission-critical environments.
• Basic knowledge of NFPA standards, including but not limited to NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 72, NFPA 75, NFPA 76, NFPA 101, and NFPA 4, as well as applicable building and fire codes.
• Familiarity with FM Global Data Sheets, insurance requirements, and loss prevention strategies.
• Experience with double-interlock pre-action sprinkler systems, clean agent systems, water-based suppression systems, and special hazard protection systems.
• Experience with VESDA and aspirating smoke detection systems, very early warning fire detection systems, and integration with monitoring and control platforms.
• Experience supporting integrated systems testing, acceptance testing, and commissioning of fire protection and life safety systems.
• Experience evaluating performance-based fire protection alternatives and alternative means and methods.
• Basic knowledge of fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems and their integration into mission-critical environments.
• Basic multidisciplinary knowledge of electrical, mechanical, controls, commissioning, pre-construction requirements, and construction processes.
• Ability to communicate technical issues to senior leadership, consultants, contractors, AHJs, insurers, and non-technical stakeholders.
• NICET certification, EIT certification, CFPS certification, or a desire to pursue industry certifications is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization.
• Must be a capable, proven team player who fosters and operates effectively within internal and external team environments.
• Ability to solve problems at a tactical and functional level.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of fire protection, fire alarm, life safety, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ability to review, interpret, and communicate engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, and testing requirements.
• Understanding of risk management principles and fire protection strategies for mission-critical facilities.
• Ability to balance code compliance, operational reliability, maintainability, and project requirements when evaluating technical solutions.

QTS-Specific Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting hyperscale and colocation data center developments.
• Familiarity with FM-insured facilities, critical environment risk mitigation, and integrated testing of fire protection systems supporting Tier III and Tier IV mission-critical infrastructure.
• Experience working with owners, contractors, consultants, and commissioning teams in fast-paced data center development environments.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.

This position is Bonus eligible.

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is:

$91,065.00 - 139,262.67

Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location.  The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location. This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending savings account; paid holidays; paid time off; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.  We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings.  We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

Know Your Rights (English)

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The pay transparency policy is available here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.