gpac | The Recruitment Platform

Senior Fire Protection Designer III in Columbus

Date Posted: 02 September 2026

Job Snapshot

Job Description

 

Senior Fire Protection Designer III

Location: Columbus, OH
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Fire Protection Designer III to lead the design and coordination of complex fire protection systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional construction projects.

This is a senior-level design position requiring extensive fire protection experience, NICET Level III certification, advanced knowledge of NFPA standards, and the ability to manage multiple projects and design priorities simultaneously.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and layout of complex fire protection and sprinkler systems utilizing architectural, structural, and construction documents.

  • Perform and review hydraulic calculations to ensure proper system performance and code compliance.

  • Identify and resolve design and coordination conflicts involving structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and other building systems.

  • Prepare detailed drawings and documentation for permitting, fabrication, and field installation.

  • Complete material and stock listings to support fabrication operations.

  • Conduct detailed reviews of fire protection drawings prior to release for fabrication.

  • Develop design and drawing schedules in coordination with project management to meet permitting and fabrication deadlines.

  • Review, stamp, and sign design documents prior to submission for permitting and architect/engineer review as permitted by applicable certification requirements.

  • Coordinate directly with project managers, engineers, field foremen, architects, and other trades throughout the design and construction process.

  • Review equipment and material submittals for sizing, quantities, design requirements, installation space, and compatibility with other systems.

  • Identify missing information, design discrepancies, and coordination concerns that could impact cost, schedule, fabrication, or field installation.

  • Attend project coordination meetings and perform jobsite visits as necessary.

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of fire protection system design experience

  • NICET Level III and/or applicable state certification required

  • Advanced knowledge of fire sprinkler and fire protection system design

  • Strong understanding of applicable NFPA codes and standards

  • Extensive experience reading and interpreting construction drawings, blueprints, and specifications

  • Experience performing hydraulic calculations

  • OSHA 10 certification

Software & Technical Skills

  • AutoCAD

  • HydraCAD or similar fire protection design software

  • Navisworks / BIM coordination

  • Revit

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned Fire Protection Designer who can take ownership of complex projects with minimal oversight. This person should be comfortable coordinating directly with project management and field teams, identifying potential issues before they reach fabrication or installation, and ensuring designs are accurate, constructible, code-compliant, and completed on schedule.

Candidates with experience on large-scale commercial, healthcare, institutional, manufacturing, industrial, or other technically complex construction projects are encouraged to apply.

All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially.

For additional information on this opportunity, please contact Jamie Tomczyk directly at (605) 705-2896. Resumes may be confidentially sent to jamie.tomczyk@gogpac.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.

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