Fire Protection Lead

Posting Date: 5 Nov 2026 City: Houston Location: Houston, TX, US, 77070 Chicago, IL, US, 60603 Lisle, IL, US, 60532 Contract Type: Permanent Division: Plant Engineering Level of experience: Senior

RINA is a global knowledge company where expertise travels across borders, disciplines, and industries. Every day, we collaborate on solving complex challenges that no single field could tackle alone. With a presence in more than 70 countries and 160 years of heritage, we turn individual know-how into collective progress.

We are currently recruiting for a Fire Protection Lead to join our office in Houston, TX or Chicago/Lisle, IL within the Plant Engineering Division.​

Compensation Data

$130,000 - $180,000 commensurate with education and experience

Mission

This position will support the engineering and development of a large tank farm project located in Texas. The Lead will act as the project's technical authority for Fire Protection and Fire-Fighting Systems and will lead the development, coordination, review and approval of the fire protection design throughout the engineering phases.

The role requires proven experience in fire protection engineering for large tank farms, terminals, refineries, petrochemical or other major industrial facilities handling flammable and combustible liquids, together with strong and demonstrable knowledge of the Texas regulatory and permitting framework, applicable NFPA standards and local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements.

A key requirement is possession of the professional licence/qualification required in Texas for taking responsible charge of, signing, sealing and/or certifying the applicable fire protection and fire-fighting system engineering documents, depending upon the nature of the deliverable and applicable jurisdictional requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as the project's technical authority and focal point for Fire Protection and Fire-Fighting Systems.

• Establish and maintain the project Fire Protection Design Basis / Fire Protection Philosophy.

• Identify and maintain the applicable Texas, local and federal regulatory requirements, codes, standards and AHJ requirements.

• Define fire protection requirements for the tank farm, associated pumping facilities, manifolds, transfer systems, loading/unloading facilities, utilities and ancillary buildings.

• Identify credible fire scenarios and establish the required basis for fire protection system design.

• Define and review the overall firewater and foam system architecture.

• Establish design fire scenarios and associated firewater and foam demand.

• Lead or review firewater hydraulic calculations and confirm the adequacy of the proposed firewater distribution network.

• Define and review, as applicable:

  • firewater storage;
  • firewater pumps;
  • firewater ring mains;
  • hydrants and hose connections;
  • fixed and mobile fire monitors;
  • foam systems;
  • tank rim-seal protection systems;
  • deluge and fixed water-spray systems;
  • sprinkler systems;
  • fire and gas detection;
  • fire alarm systems;
  • passive fire protection;
  • emergency access and firefighting provisions.

• Review storage-tank arrangements, containment/dike areas, equipment spacing and plot plans from a fire protection perspective.

• Assess potential fire escalation and domino scenarios involving adjacent tanks and equipment.

• Provide fire protection input to HAZID, HAZOP, Fire Risk Assessment, QRA and other safety/design reviews, as applicable.

• Review PFDs, P&IDs, plot plans, equipment layouts, firewater layouts, specifications, calculations, datasheets and vendor documentation.

• Prepare and/or review technical specifications and requisitions for fire-fighting equipment and packages.

• Perform technical bid evaluations and review vendors' fire protection documentation.

• Coordinate with Process, Piping, Civil, Structural, Electrical, Instrumentation, HSE/Technical Safety and Operations disciplines.

• Interface with the Client, EPC/EPCM contractors, specialist fire protection contractors and relevant Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).

• Support permitting, construction, commissioning and final acceptance activities as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• Professional licence(s), registration(s) and/or certifications required in the State of Texas to take responsible charge of and, where applicable, sign, seal and/or certify the Fire Protection and Fire-Fighting System engineering documents within the assigned scope.

• Demonstrated previous experience with the Texas State Fire Marshal regulatory framework and relevant local AHJs.

• Significant experience in Fire Protection Engineering for oil & gas, terminals, refineries, petrochemical, chemical or major industrial facilities.

• Demonstrable experience with large above-ground storage tank farms.

• Proven experience designing fire protection systems for significant inventories of flammable and combustible liquids.

• Previous experience as Lead Fire Protection Engineer or Fire Protection Technical Authority on major projects.

• Strong practical knowledge of firewater networks, foam systems, fixed fire-fighting systems and fire detection/alarm.

• Experience performing or reviewing firewater demand and hydraulic calculations.

• Demonstrable experience applying Texas fire protection requirements and working with Texas AHJs.

• Experience supporting fire protection permitting and approval processes in Texas.

• Ability to coordinate a multidisciplinary engineering team and manage specialist suppliers and contractors.

• Strong written and spoken English and the ability to develop, review and defend engineering documentation.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to travel up to 25% regionally for site visits and client meetings

• Valid driver’s license

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

#LI-LS1

Competencies

• WORKPLACE DYNAMICS - Resourcefulness in shaping progress and working efficiently.

• FORESIGHT & INSIGHT - Context awareness adopting a systemic perspective and informed decision making.

• PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT - Ownership for life, work and results, striving to grow professionally and personally.​

• INTERPERSONAL INFLUENCE - Skills and strategies we use to interact effectively with others.

• DOMAIN & BUSINESS ACUMEN - Applying a scientific approach and critical thinking in operations and solution development within area of expertise.

At RINA, your growth drives our innovation. We bring together engineers, inspectors, digital minds and specialists from more than 100 nationalities, creating an environment where diverse perspectives sharpen how we think, collaborate and deliver.

RINA North America provides a comprehensive benefits package, including the following insurance options: Medical, Dental, Vision, Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Transit, Parking, Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Voluntary Life, Voluntary AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program. Additional benefits provided include paid time off, company holidays, tuition reimbursement, nursery grant, travel resource services, and 401K plan with company discretionary match.

Flexibility and respect drive how we work. We are committed to building a workplace where every person feels valued, empowered to develop their potential, and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind. It is the policy of RINA to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, genetics, military status, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans (veterans who served during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a badge has been authorized), and Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We are strongly committed to this policy and believe in the concept and spirit of the law.

RINA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of RINA without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of RINA. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Nearest Major Market: Houston