Fire Protection Engineer - Petrochemical & Energy Projects
Job Description
Fire Protection Engineer - Petrochemical & Energy Projects
Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Columbia, Maryland, United States; Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Company Overview
Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk-based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more.
Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry-leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.
At Jensen Hughes, we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization.
Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they're passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.
Job Overview
JENSEN HUGHES is expanding our industrial process safety practice with a dedicated focus on solving complex challenges for industrial clients—particularly those with significant chemical processing, storage, and high-hazard operations. We are currently seeking a Fire Protection Engineer or Process Safety Consultant with a specialization in Oil & Gas to lead and support a growing portfolio of risk assessment and safety compliance projects.
This is a strategic, client-facing opportunity for experienced professionals who are passionate about applying performance-based fire protection engineering principles to identify and mitigate operational risks, improve facility safety, and ensure regulatory and code compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience conducting fire protection evaluations for both new and existing facilities.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Lead comprehensive fire protection evaluations, primarily for hydrocarbon processing and storage facilities
- Develop and execute upon site-specific fire protection philosophies, including but not limited to: fire and gas detection, active fire protection (e.g., fire water), passive fire protection (e.g., fireproofing), emergency management and response, etc.
- Identify opportunities to employ performance-based design over traditional prescriptive methods to optimize fire protection equipment counts
- Conduct advanced consequence modeling to characterize potential hazard areas at hydrocarbon processing and storage facilities
- Guide clients through all stages of the fire protection life cycle, from feasibility, to design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing site support
- Support Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) using methodologies such as HAZOP, What-If, LOPA and FMEA
- Analyze process safety information (P&IDs, PFDs, material data, operating procedures) to support thorough and accurate hazard analysis.
- Prepare and peer-review high-quality, technically sound reports for clients and regulatory authorities.
- Conduct site visits to evaluate risk and compliance with NFPA, API, and insurer standards.
- Support proposal development and participate in client-facing engagements to scope new fire protection and process safety work.
Job Requirements
Requirements and Qualifications
- Strong familiarity with industry standards and best practices such as:
- NFPA 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25, 30, 55, 58, 59/A, 68, 69, 70, 72, 850
- API RP 752/753, 2001, 2030, 2218, 2510A
- FM Global Data Sheets
- High competency in the use of one or more hydraulic calculation software tools.
- Understanding of safety instrumented systems and controls (a plus)
- Experience with fire and gas mapping (a plus)
- Experience performing consequence and frequency analysis for accidental toxic or flammable material releases.
- Design and analysis of pressure relief systems and the various governing codes and standards used in industry.
- Experience conducting site surveys
- Knowledge of and experience with modeling practices for the Oil & Gas industry. Ideal candidate will have experience in modeling tools such as Phast, FLACS, FDS, and/or Detect3D
- Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection, Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering (or related field)
- 3-5+ years of experience in process safety role with direct involvement supporting the Oil & Gas industry.
- Professional credentials (e.g., Professional Engineer, Functional safety competence such as FS Eng, FSP or CFSE is highly regarded)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts.
- Experience with client management and proposal development is a plus.
- Willing to travel approximately 25% for client engagements and on-site projects.
