Fire Protection Engineer

About the role

SpaceXAI is building AI systems to interpret the universe and support human knowledge. We are looking for a Fire Protection Engineer to manage life safety and suppression systems for our high-density supercomputing centers and power infrastructure. In this role, you will own the end-to-end development and execution of fire protection strategies for mission-critical environments. You will translate complex operational requirements into robust fire and life safety systems that protect personnel, equipment, and data. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying hazards and implementing reliable mitigation measures before incidents occur. You will act as the primary technical authority ensuring that fire safety keeps pace with rapid infrastructure deployment. Your work will directly influence the integrity and resilience of cutting edge computational facilities.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop comprehensive fire protection designs for data centers and power plants, specifying suppression, alarms, smoke control, and gas detection solutions.
• Conduct detailed fire hazard analyses, computational fluid dynamics modeling, and quantitative risk assessments for GPU clusters, battery energy storage systems, and gas turbine installations.
• Author precise technical drawings, engineering specifications, and sequences of operations that define system behavior under emergency conditions.
• Coordinate fire protection systems with HVAC, liquid cooling manifolds, and high voltage electrical infrastructure to ensure integrated functionality.
• Ensure strict compliance with NFPA 70, 72, 75, 76, 855, 2001, IBC, IFC, and FM Global standards across all project deliverables.
• Manage the full lifecycle of regulatory permitting, AHJ review, and system commissioning activities from initial design through final acceptance.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure mode analyses to determine the origins of fire events and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide expert technical guidance during construction activities and respond to fire and safety related incidents on site.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and methods to enhance fire detection, suppression performance, and system reliability.
• Support the development of facility emergency response plans, training materials, and drill programs specific to high hazard areas.
• Perform interface coordination with structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams to resolve design conflicts.
• Document all design decisions, verification activities, and compliance evidence in a clear and auditable format.
• Assist in the development of cost estimates, schedules, and resource plans for fire protection scope within project parameters.
• Champion continuous improvement by analyzing incident data and industry trends to refine design standards and practices.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Bring 1+ years of professional experience in fire protection design for mission critical facilities, data centers, or power plants.
• Demonstrate the ability to work onsite in demanding industrial and construction environments without disruption to project timelines.
• Maintain availability for extended hours during peak design, testing, and commissioning phases to meet critical milestones.
• Show a strong commitment to adhering to company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements at all times.
• Exhibit effective communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and present technical information clearly.
• Possess problem solving capabilities that enable thorough analysis of complex fire safety challenges.
• Be prepared to obtain any required certifications or clearances as determined by project needs and company policy.

Nice to have

• Apply design background in hyperscale AI or HPC data centers and natural gas power plants to accelerate project execution.
• Demonstrate practical knowledge of VESDA aspirating detection, water mist systems, and clean agent suppression such as Novec 1230 or FM-200.
• Utilize experience with performance based design and alternative methods to develop optimized fire protection strategies.
• Leverage prior work with local AHJs in Tennessee or Texas to streamline approval processes and inspections.
• Highlight experience integrating fire systems with high density electrical distribution and liquid cooling infrastructures.

Practical notes

This is a fully onsite position in Memphis, Tennessee, requiring physical presence at the project site. Candidates must be prepared to work in active construction zones and maintain a flexible schedule during critical project milestones, including nights and weekends when necessary. Travel is not currently required for this role. SpaceXAI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.