What does a fire engineer do?
Fire engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real fire engineer resumes:
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Expedite and simplify the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models
- Review system interface between the detection and sprinkler systems to ensure compatibility of equipment and acceptability by the AHJ.
Fire engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 39% of Fire Engineers are proficient in Fire Protection, Fire Alarms, and Fire Prevention. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Fire Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Fire Protection, 39%
Provided fire protection and prevention efforts, including authorizing burn permits.
- Fire Alarms, 16%
Provided engineering and support for 114 government, retail, commercial, and residentialfire alarm projects.
- Fire Prevention, 6%
Performed related duties including maintenance, inspections, fire prevention, safety training.
- OSHA, 5%
Composed OSHA and ANSI approved procedures for the certification of testing personnel.
- EMT, 5%
Fire Fighter / EMT for Volunteer Fire Department.
- Emergency Response, 4%
Assigned to all areas of emergency response.
Common skills that a fire engineer uses to do their job include "fire protection," "fire alarms," and "fire prevention." You can find details on the most important fire engineer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a fire engineer to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "health and safety engineers must be able to interpret federal and state regulations and their intent so that they can propose proper designs for specific work environments." Fire engineers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "supported engineering disciplines including communications and electrical with fire protection and life safety compliance. "
Creativity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling fire engineer duties is creativity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "health and safety engineers produce designs showing potential problems and remedies for them." According to a fire engineer resume, here's how fire engineers can utilize creativity in their job responsibilities: "respond to 911 calls , training , inventory, public relations, emergency scene operations"
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of fire engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday fire engineer duties, as "in designing solutions for entire organizational operations, health and safety engineers must take into account processes from more than one system at the same time." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "develop fire protection solutions to commodity storage problems that do not fall completely under nfpa standards. "
The three companies that hire the most fire engineers are:
- Arup9 fire engineers jobs
- Fluor Corporation5 fire engineers jobs
- Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)4 fire engineers jobs
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Compare different fire engineers
Fire engineer vs. Fire protection specialist
Fire Protection Specialists are the people who work on implementing systems for the protection of the people, buildings, wildlife, and environment from the effects of fire. A fire protection specialist inspects buildings, homes, and other places to assess the different fire hazards and how to prevent them. To be a fire protection specialist, many start by working or volunteering as a firefighter; some study fire science, fire safety, or any related programs. Adequate knowledge about fire safety, fire regulation, fire hazards are just some of the skills you must have to become a Fire Protection Specialist.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between fire engineers and fire protection specialist. For instance, fire engineer responsibilities require skills such as "fire alarms," "alarm systems," "fire prevention," and "ventilation." Whereas a fire protection specialist is skilled in "nfpa," "fire suppression," "api," and "emergency services." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Fire protection specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than fire engineers. In fact, fire protection specialists are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Fire engineer vs. Fire sprinkler designer
A fire sprinkler designer is in charge of designing and developing sprinkler systems to prevent or aid fire. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, utilizing feedback from customers and other experts, producing prototypes or samples, and coordinating with engineers and technicians. Furthermore, a fire sprinkler designer may design upgrades and enhancements, create testing structures, take part in installing and repairing systems, and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the fire sprinkler systems' quality and efficiency.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, fire engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "fire alarms," "alarm systems," "fire prevention," and "emt." Meanwhile, a fire sprinkler designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "nicet," "nfpa," "hydraulic calculations," and "bim." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Fire sprinkler designers may earn a lower salary than fire engineers, but fire sprinkler designers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $84,788. On the other hand, fire engineers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $82,570.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Fire sprinkler designers tend to reach similar levels of education than fire engineers. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fire engineer vs. Senior fire protection engineer
As a senior fire protection engineer, you need to study the architecture and design of the infrastructure properly so that you can suggest various methods of protecting it from fires. You need to work on the fire prevention methods of the infrastructure so that you can save thousands of lives. You need to do extensive study on fire science and engineering in a mechanical or structural course. You need to spend a lot of time between architects and interior designers so that they can provide you with much knowledge regarding the infrastructure and construction of buildings.
Also, you need to focus on engineering design and installation. You have to be aware of the various fire prevention systems such as fire alarm or sprinkler systems and be able to install the fire alarms and suppression systems in buildings. You also need to create evacuation portals and stairwells within the company. To qualify for this position, a bachelor's in fire science and engineering is a must.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a fire engineer is likely to be skilled in "fire alarms," "alarm systems," "fire prevention," and "osha," while a typical senior fire protection engineer is skilled in "nfpa," "project management," "plumbing," and "calculation."
When it comes to education, senior fire protection engineers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to fire engineers. In fact, they're 17.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Fire engineer vs. Lead fire protection engineer
Types of fire engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
