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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
Produce complete fire sprinkler design packages for data center projects, including hydraulic calculations, working drawings, material lists, and submittal documents Design pre-action, wet pipe, dry pipe, and deluge systems in accordance with NFPA 13, FM Global data sheets, and project-specific owner/AHJ requirements Coordinate with special hazards, fire alarm, and other trade designers to ensure integrated, clash-free system layouts in mission-critical environments Develop designs that reflect constructability, prefabrication opportunities, and labor efficiency in the field
Serve as a critical contributor to the BIM coordination process on all assigned data center projects; develop, maintain, and update Revit/BIM models through all phases of design, coordination, and construction
Participate actively in multi-trade BIM coordination meetings, representing fire sprinkler and pre-action system routing and equipment in the federated model
Lead clash detection efforts for fire protection scopes using Navisworks or equivalent; identify, document, and resolve conflicts with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other trade models in a timely manner
Produce fabrication-ready drawings and coordination deliverables derived from the BIM model to support prefabrication and field installation efficiency Maintain BIM model accuracy and integrity throughout construction, incorporating field changes and RFI resolutions to support as-built documentation at project closeout
Collaborate with the Data Center Senior Project Manager, Project Manager, and field superintendents to ensure BIM coordination deliverables align with project schedules and installation sequencing requirements
Prepare and submit permit packages to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ); respond to plan review comments in a timely manner
Ensure all design work complies with applicable NFPA standards, local codes, FM Global requirements, and project-specific owner specifications
Project Coordination
Collaborate closely with the Data Center Senior Project Manager, Project Manager, and field superintendents throughout the design and installation phases to ensure design intent is achieved in the field
Participate in turnover meetings, design kickoff meetings, and coordination meetings for assigned data center projects
Coordinate with Estimating on design-assist and pre-construction engagements to support accurate project pricing
Review RFIs, submittal documents, and design revisions; provide timely responses and updated documentation as required
Identify design changes that impact cost, schedule, or labor and communicate these promptly to the project team
Coordinate with the Construction Project Coordinator on material release schedules, fabrication drawings, and equipment deliveries tied to design milestones
Quality & Compliance
Perform thorough quality checks on all design packages prior to submission, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance
Maintain organized, auditable design files and documentation for all assigned projects
Stay current on updates to NFPA standards, FM Global data sheets, and data center owner design standards relevant to fire sprinkler systems
Support field inspections and as-built documentation as needed
Other Verticals
Support fire sprinkler design work in commercial, industrial, or other market verticals as directed by the Corporate Design Manager when data center workload allows Apply lessons learned and best practices from data center work to improve design quality and efficiency across other project types
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:
Safety First Integrity Customer Focused Humility Ownership Teamwork 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