Work at SFPE

Current Openings

Chief Engineer

Position Title: Chief Engineer
Location: Gaithersburg, MD (Remote)
Full/Part-time: Full-Time
Reports to: CEO

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is seeking a Chief Engineer to be remotely based with 30% travel in the US and internationally. This position will be responsible for leading SFPE's global technical and professional qualification activities.  

Responsibilities of the Chief Engineer:

    • Work with committee chairs to coordinate the development and maintenance of SFPE's engineering standards & guides. 
    • Serve as secretary of SFPE's Subcommittee for Standards Oversight (SCSO) and assist in maintaining SFPE's standard-making procedures.  
    • Coordinate work with the Subcommittee on Codes & Standards Liaison (SCCSL). 
    • Represent SFPE on committees that advance the fire safety engineering profession. 
    • Ensure that the concerns of the fire protection engineering profession are addressed in global codes, standards, and construction documents. 
    • Serve as Editor-in-Chief for the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering.  
    • Make presentations at global fire safety conferences about SFPE technical activities.  
    • Serve on the program committee for all SFPE conferences and symposia and the conference committees for external organizations that SFPE sponsors (i.e., Interflam). 
    • Assist the SFPE Committee for Professional Development as a technical resource in the development of SFPE's educational programs. 
    • Serve as a member of the SFPE Foundation's Technical Committee and maintain relations with technical codes and standards activities important to fire protection engineering, such as IAFSS, ISO, ICC, NSPE, NFPA, and UL.  
    • Serve as an Associate Editor for SFPE's Fire Technology Journal. 

Requirements of the Chief Engineer:

    • Licensed engineer who has passed the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam in Fire Protection. 
    • B.S. or M.S. degree in fire protection engineering or fire safety engineering.  
    • 5+ years of experience practicing fire protection engineering.  
    • Knowledge of tools, methods, and technology used in the practice of fire protection engineering. 
    • Experience in research and/or technology development and evaluation. 
    • Ability to work well in a small, high-energy organization; a team player willing to take on new challenges with demonstrated ability to partner with staff and member volunteers. 
    • Ability to provide final editing of the written work of others (in English) for publication. 
    • Proficiency in MS Office 365 and willingness to keep up with evolving technologies. 
    • Ability to commit to up to 30% travel. 

Benefits of the Job:

    • Salary range of $130,000-$140,000K 
    • Health, dental, and vision insurance  
    • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) funding 100% of the employee’s deductible 
    • Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 
    • Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance  
    • 401(k) plan (SFPE contributes 6% of income) 
    • Generous Paid Time Off program and 11 paid holidays 
    • Ability to work remote 

Apply to this job

Fire Protection and Safety Starts with You!

Want to be part of a dynamic team supporting SFPE in its mission to define, develop, and advance the use of engineering best practices, expand the scientific and technical knowledge base, and educate the global fire safety community to reduce fire risk?

Get to Know Us

  • Recruiting process
    • Our recruiting process is typically conducted virtually
    • First, you’ll meet with our HR Consultant by phone to discuss your skills and experience and learn more about the position and SFPE
    • Next, you’ll meet with the hiring manager via Zoom for a deeper conversation about the position and the knowledge and abilities you would bring to SFPE
    • For some positions, there may be an interview to meet other managers and potential colleagues
    • An offer is made to the final candidate, but the process doesn’t end here
    • We offer a robust onboarding program to help new hires gain the knowledge they need to make an immediate impact—you’ll meet with colleagues to learn everything from setting up your email signature to SFPE’s strategy
  • Work-life and culture
    • SFPE is a mission-oriented organization with a team of highly-engaged subject matter experts in their areas working together to promote fire protection and safety
    • Our members are great to work with and engaged in their profession
    • We offer both fully remote and hybrid positions
    • No day is ever the same, and there are opportunities to learn daily
    • We are growing and adding new positions annually to our small group of connected team members
    • SFPE has a strong commitment to DE&I
    • SFPE’s leadership is committed to transparency in communication

SFPE offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package that adds between 20 and 40 percent to the compensation package.

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (SFPE pays 80% of premiums for employees and dependents)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) funding 100% of the employee’s deductible and all or part of the dependents’ deductible
  • Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance (SFPE pays 100% of premiums)
  • 401(k) plan (SFPE contributes 6% of income; employees eligible after 6 months of service)
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program starting with 20 days of PTO
  • Eleven paid holidays
  • Free parking
  • Employees working with the SFPE Foundation may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

We hope you will want to learn more about working at SFPE and joining our diverse team. For more information, please get in touch with us at info@sfpe.org.