DATA CENTER FIRE SPRINKLER DESIGNER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary:

The Data Center Fire Sprinkler Designer is a technically skilled, detail-oriented professional responsible for the design and production of fire sprinkler systems for mission-critical data center facilities. This individual produces accurate, code-compliant, and constructible design packages — including hydraulic calculations, working drawings, and coordination documents — that meet the exacting standards of data center owners, hyperscale developers, colocation operators, and their construction teams.

The primary focus of this role is the data center vertical, where system complexity, owner-specific specifications, FM Global data sheet requirements, and multi-trade coordination demands exceed those of traditional commercial construction. The designer will also support fire sprinkler design work in other market verticals as workload and business needs require.

Reporting to the Corporate Design Manager, this individual works in close collaboration with the Data Center Senior Project Manager, Data Center Operations Manager, field superintendents, and estimating to ensure design packages are delivered on schedule, within budget, and ready for successful installation.

Job Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

Design & Production

Project Coordination

Quality & Compliance

Other Verticals

Knowledge:

• High School diploma or GED required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Fire Protection, or a related field preferred; equivalent work experience considered
• Deep familiarity with NFPA 13 and its application to pre-action, wet pipe, dry pipe, and deluge systems
• Working knowledge of FM Global data sheets relevant to data center fire protection, including DS 2-0, DS 2-8N, and related property loss prevention standards
• Familiarity with data center construction environments, including raised floor systems, hot aisle/cold aisle configurations, overhead cable management, and MEP coordination
• Proficiency with BIM design and coordination platforms required, including Revit and Navisworks; experience with fabrication-level modeling and spool drawing production strongly preferred
• Familiarity with BIM execution plans (BEPs), LOD requirements, and owner BIM standards common in hyperscale and colocation data center construction

Work Experience:

Designer

• 3+ years of fire sprinkler design experience
• Exposure to pre-action or suppression system design preferred
• Data center or mission-critical design experience a plus; strong candidates with commercial/industrial backgrounds and demonstrated technical aptitude will be considered

Senior Designer

• 7+ years of fire sprinkler design experience
• Data center or mission-critical design experience required
• Demonstrated proficiency with pre-action system design and FM Global data sheet compliance required
• BIM/Revit coordination experience on complex, multi-trade projects strongly preferred
• Experience with design-assist or pre-construction engagements preferred

Work Expectations:

• Believe in, live, and support our Mission Statement and Core Values daily

Mission Statement:

Continually setting the standard of excellence in fire and life safety

Core Values:

• Communicate effectively and professionally with all internal and external customers, including data center owners, construction managers, field personnel, and AHJ representatives
• Understand and follow all HR and safety initiatives and processes
• Support and ensure adherence to all company SOPs related to design production, submittals, and documentation
• Maintain quality control across all aspects of design production
• Ensure customer satisfaction and respond promptly to design-related inquiries and concerns
• Attend project site visits as needed to support design accuracy and field coordination
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Corporate Design Manager or Data Center Operations Manager

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of fire sprinkler system design for data center environments, including pre-action, wet pipe, and deluge systems
• Proficiency with hydraulic calculation software (e.g., AutoSprink, HydraCALC, SprinkCALC, or equivalent)
• Proficiency with BIM design and coordination platforms (Revit, Navisworks, or equivalent) required; fabrication-level modeling experience strongly preferred
• Ability to read and interpret complex architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural construction documents
• Meticulous attention to detail with strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple design assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to locate, interpret, and apply applicable codes, standards, and owner-specific design requirements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively within a cross-trade project team

Certifications:

Designer

• NICET Level I or II Fire Protection Engineering Technology (Sprinkler) required, or actively pursuing
• Relevant state fire protection design registration preferred

Senior Designer

• NICET Level III Fire Protection Engineering Technology (Sprinkler) required
• NICET Level IV preferred
• Relevant state fire protection design registration preferred or required depending on project jurisdiction

Physical Requirements:

• Primary office or remote work setting including sitting, viewing, and computer operation
• Periodic job site visits to active data center construction sites, requiring utilization of proper PPE, awareness of raised floor environments, confined spaces, and energized infrastructure adjacency
• Stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch during site visits as needed
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus for extended screen work and drawing review