Fire Protection Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to join our team supporting the Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) at their Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL)! This position is full-time and will be based out of Niskayuna, NY with 20% hybrid flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Perform fire protection design reviews for new construction and major renovation projects to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and internal requirements.

• Review architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, and design narratives for compliance with IBC, IFC, NFPA standards, and organizational criteria.

• Evaluate the design and layout of passive fire protection features, including fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, fire doors, fire dampers, firestopping, and penetrations.

• Review automatic sprinkler and other water-based fire suppression systems, including standpipes, fire pumps, and water supply systems.

• Evaluate fire alarm, detection, and notification systems, including initiating devices, notification appliances, control units, annunciation, and building system interfaces.

• Review hydraulic, flow, and demand calculations, device spacing and coverage, equipment sizing, and system configurations to verify performance, reliability, and maintainability.

• Assess the integration of fire protection systems with HVAC, electrical, security, emergency power, elevators, and building automation systems to ensure proper response during fire and emergency conditions.

• Identify fire protection design deficiencies, code non-conformances, and performance risks and develop recommendations for corrective action.

• Collaborate with design teams, project managers, engineers, construction personnel, and other stakeholders to resolve fire protection issues prior to construction and occupancy.

• Develop and review commissioning and acceptance testing plans for fire protection and life safety systems in accordance with NFPA 3, NFPA 25, NFPA 72, NFPA 80, and organizational requirements.

• Witness and/or perform functional and acceptance testing of fire protection and life safety systems.

• Conduct or oversee sprinkler and water-based system testing, including flow tests, valve operation, alarm transmission, and supervisory signal verification.

• Witness and evaluate fire pump performance testing, including start-up, rated load, and overload conditions as applicable.

• Perform or oversee fire alarm and detection system testing, including initiation, notification, signal routing, annunciation, and system interface testing.

• Inspect and functionally test fire door assemblies, passive barriers, firestopping, and related components for proper installation, operation, and labeling.

• Verify that fire protection systems and passive barriers are installed and configured in accordance with approved design documents, applicable standards, and manufacturer requirements.

• Document design reviews, commissioning activities, test results, deficiencies, and corrective actions.

• Track identified deficiencies and corrective actions through closure and verify systems are fully operational and ready for service and occupancy.

• Support the preparation, review, and maintenance of as-built drawings, system narratives, design calculations, and operations and maintenance documentation.

• Maintain accurate fire protection system documentation and configuration control.

• Provide technical fire protection engineering guidance to project managers, facility engineers, operations and maintenance personnel, and other stakeholders.

• Support periodic inspections, audits, and assessments of fire protection systems and passive barriers to verify continued compliance and system performance.

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of fire protection design, review, commissioning, inspection, and testing processes, procedures, checklists, and templates.

Requirements

• Education & Years of Experience – Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Protection Engineering (or closely related discipline with a designated fire protection engineering major/concentration) and at least 5 years of relevant fire protection engineering experience; OR Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical) and at least 7 years of directly related fire protection engineering experience in the fire protection field and 5+ years of relevant experience.

• Citizenship – To be considered, you must be a United States (U.S.) citizen due to the federal nature of the work.

• Clearance – To be considered, you MUST be able to obtain and maintain a government issued clearance before you can start.

  • Candidates with an active DOE "L" Clearance or DOD "Secret" clearance are HIGHLY DESIRED.

• Solid understanding of passive fire protection systems, including design intent, code requirements, installation practices, and inspection/testing methods for fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, fire doors, fire dampers, and firestopping.

• Solid knowledge of automatic sprinkler and water-based fire suppression systems, including system types, coverage requirements, hydraulic principles, water supplies, and functional testing.

• Solid understanding of fire alarm, detection, and notification systems, including initiating devices, notification appliances, control panels, circuits, and building system interfaces.

• Ability to read and interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection drawings, specifications, and technical calculations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate fire protection system performance, identify deficiencies, and develop practical, code-compliant solutions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports, design review comments, commissioning documentation, and recommendations.

• Ability to effectively communicate technical findings and recommendations to multidisciplinary engineering, construction, project management, and facility teams.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to document and track design review findings, testing results, deficiencies, and corrective actions through closure.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers, project managers, construction personnel, engineers, and facility staff.

• Ability to maintain independence and technical objectivity when performing design reviews, inspections, testing, and approval activities.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, prioritize competing responsibilities, and meet project schedules and commissioning deadlines.

Desired Skills

• Familiarity with the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and applicable local amendments related to fire protection and life safety.

• Working knowledge of applicable NFPA codes and standards, including:

  • NFPA 3 – Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

  • NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems

  • NFPA 25 – Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

  • NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

  • NFPA 80 – Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives

• Experience developing or reviewing commissioning plans and test procedures for fire protection and life safety systems.

• Experience conducting or overseeing field inspections, functional testing, acceptance testing, and integrated system testing.

• Experience supporting fire protection and life safety systems within complex, industrial, or mission-critical facilities.

• Working knowledge of fire protection system interfaces with HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency power, security, and building automation systems.

• Familiarity with integrated fire and life safety system operation during emergency conditions.

• Knowledge of risk-based approaches to fire protection system design and evaluation.

• Experience applying internal or organizational fire protection design criteria, engineering processes, and documentation requirements.

• Experience reviewing technical documentation for compliance with applicable NFPA standards and organizational requirements.

About the Site

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is comprised of the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory located in Niskayuna, New York, the Kesselring Site, located in West Milton, New York, and the Naval Reactor Facility located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Together, they develop advanced technology for the United States Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, ensure the safety and reliability of naval nuclear reactors, and train Sailors who operate reactors in submarines and aircraft carrier fleets (energy.gov).

ABOUT GEM

GEM Technologies, Inc. (GEM) is an award-winning federal contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing environmental, construction, facility management, and technical services to federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial organizations. Founded in 1994 as a nuclear engineering firm to support federal operations in East Tennessee, GEM has since expanded into a nationwide, multi-disciplinary provider with over 270 employees and a diverse portfolio of contracts in the environmental, nuclear, and defense sectors. Some reasons to join GEM are:

• Our philosophy – We believe in the power of effective collaboration and recognize that good partnerships are the building blocks to success.

• Our relationships – Partnering with federal clients, we solve complex problems, exceed expectations, and advance critical missions.

• Our team – We are committed to managing a cohesive workforce and cultivating a supportive workplace for our employees on contracts and in-office.

• Our community involvement – Supporting our communities, we invest time and money in local schools and non-profit organizations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

GEM’s offered compensation is dependent on candidates’ education, qualifications, and relevant years of experience. To recruit and retain our exceptional staff, we offer the opportunity to elect benefit packages that best suit our employee’s needs; this includes, but is not limited to, a competitive Salary, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (including HSA & PPO options), Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, and a matching 401(k) Retirement Plan.

Please Note: With the exception of mandated state requirements, GEM does not publish salary information on external job boards; as such, most ranges listed are estimates made by vendors and not actual salary ranges.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

GEM Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.