Senior Fire Alarm Design Specialist in Irvine, California at Bosch Building Technologies North America

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 other building systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and related design software.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Ability to independently manage multiple large-scale projects and competing priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or higher in Engineering Technology, Electronics, Fire Protection, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in fire alarm design, engineering support, or life safety systems.
• NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems (Level III or IV preferred).
• Experience with Bluebeam, Revit, BIM coordination, and other advanced design tools.
• Experience leading design teams or mentoring junior designers.
• Knowledge of manufacturer-specific fire alarm platforms such as Notifier, Siemens, Edwards, Simplex, Potter, or Fire-Lite.
• Experience supporting design-build and large-scale commercial construction projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of system networking, emergency communication systems, and integrated life safety solutions.
• Strong customer-facing skills with a professional demeanor and positive, solution-oriented mindset.

Physical Demands:

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to effectively communicate, (iesee, hear,speakand write clearly)in order tocommunicate with colleagues and/or customers; manual dexterityrequiredfor occasional reaching, lifting of light office objects, and operating office equipment

Working Conditions:

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employeeencounterswhile performing the essential functions of this job.

• The office is clean, orderly, properlylightedand ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate

Additional Information:

• Compensation: $40 - $62.50 per hour
• Working Hours: This position generally works Monday- Friday, overtime and on call when necessary
• Travel Requirements: Local if needed
• Benefits:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401K w/ company match
  • Life/AD&D/LTD
  • Paid Vacation/Sick/Holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Pet Insurance

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability / veterans.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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Reasonable Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing a job application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, you can reach out to our HR team for support at AskHR.BT-NA@bosch.com. Please note our HR representatives do not have visibility of application or interview status. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job

Indefinite U.S. work authorized individuals only. Future sponsorship is unavailable. U.S. work authorized individuals only.