Development Project Engineer – Fire Protection, Fire Alarm

QTS Data Centers

. Assist with design, preconstruction, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning activities for fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeAshburn • South Carolina • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $91,065 - $139,263 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems design, compliance, and testing, with a strong understanding of NFPA standards and construction processes. Capable of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and project specifications.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fire Protection EngineeringFire Alarm Systems DesignNFPA Standards KnowledgeIntegrated Systems TestingConstruction Project Management

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Fire Protection SystemsFire Alarm SystemsLife Safety SystemsHydraulic CalculationsConstruction DocumentsEngineering DrawingsSystem Acceptance TestingRisk Management PrinciplesValue EngineeringCode Compliance

Soft Skills

Technical CommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingInterpersonal SkillsProject Coordination

Tools & Technologies

VESDA SystemsAspirating Smoke DetectionMonitoring and Control PlatformsConstruction Management SoftwareTesting Equipment

Certifications & Qualifications

NICET CertificationEIT CertificationCFPS Certification

Industry Keywords

Mission-Critical FacilitiesData CentersIndustrial FacilitiesBuilding CodesInsurance Requirements

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist with design, preconstruction, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning activities for fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety systems
Review drawing packages for adherence to fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety design standards
Collaborate with design teams to evaluate compliance with design standards, local codes, insurance requirements, and AHJ requirements
Define project scope requirements, evaluate deviations from standards, and communicate requirements to design teams
Answer RFIs, code interpretations, and value engineering proposals with construction, commissioning, and risk management teams
Review OFCI equipment submittals for compliance with fire protection and fire alarm design criteria
Resolve design issues discovered during construction, testing, and commissioning
Coordinate fire protection and fire alarm equipment procurement with strategic procurement teams
Review hydraulic calculations, fire pump analyses, water supply evaluations, and system acceptance testing requirements
Review 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
Develop and maintain standardized fire protection and fire alarm design standards for mission-critical facilities
Evaluate fire suppression, fire detection, emergency communications, and life safety systems for compliance and operational reliability
Assist with project management responsibilities across multiple projects and campuses

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
Experience designing, supporting, or reviewing fire protection and fire alarm systems for data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial facilities, or large commercial developments preferred
Experience with fire alarm sequence of operations, cause-and-effect matrices, system testing, and commissioning activities preferred
Direct experience in construction of data centers, critical medical facilities, industrial facilities, or other mission-critical environments preferred
Basic knowledge of NFPA standards, including 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 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, EIT, or CFPS certification preferred, or desire to pursue industry certifications
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
Experience supporting hyperscale and colocation data center developments preferred
Familiarity with FM-insured facilities, critical environment risk mitigation, and integrated testing of fire protection systems supporting Tier III and Tier IV infrastructure preferred
Experience working with owners, contractors, consultants, and commissioning teams in data center development environments preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Bonus eligibility
Competitive benefits package
Flexible spending savings account