Fire Protection Engineering SME

Overview

GovCIO is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer to provide advisory and assistance support for construction-engineering activities tied to Program & Design Integration (PDI) for the U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) Theater Support Group at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

The Theater Support Group office is based at Al Udeid AB and helps coordinate U.S. operational needs along with detailed planning for strategic area development, design, construction, and U.S. Department of Defense acceptance of projects and activities delivered by host nations at both AUAB and ADAB. The role also supports installations and sites across AFCENT’s area of responsibility, including U.S.-funded military construction work and projects below MILCON thresholds.

Core Advisory and Integration Support

This position focuses on reviewing and qualifying construction-engineering activities such as field surveys, project scoping, design data collection, planning support, program monitoring, capability studies, functional and interior reviews, consultations, topographic and geotechnical studies, and hazardous materials assessments. Work may cover facility and infrastructure construction or renovation led by credentialed architects and engineers.

The SME will track progress through design reviews, observe host nation quality assurance and quality control inspections, confirm that U.S. interests are protected, and verify that special host nation and U.S. facility acceptance requirements are satisfied. The role also includes checking compliance with specifications and reviewing submittals.

Additional Construction-Engineering Duties

The advisor will also support broader engineering services needed to protect AFCENT interests on host nation or U.S.-funded projects. These duties include reviewing tests, evaluations, consultations, design criteria, conceptual and detailed design planning, program monitoring, drawing reviews, surveying and mapping, operations and maintenance manuals, and work performed by licensed architects or engineers to ensure code compliance and user requirements are achieved.

Expected Responsibilities

• Take part in design charrettes and technical coordination sessions.
• Support host nation design review meetings for the AFCENT TSG.
• Help run Design Integration meetings and U.S./host nation collaboration sessions.
• Carry out independent technical reviews of U.S./host nation Design/Bid/Build deliverables.
• Contribute to professional planning and programming activities.
• Review early, interim, and final plans and specifications for technical soundness and completeness.
• Monitor host nation-funded development work for new builds, renovations, and improvement projects across facilities and utility systems, ensuring compliance with laws, codes, guidance, and project criteria.
• Assess projects spanning earthwork, airfield and roadway paving, electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and control/alarm systems, and how they connect with other engineering disciplines.
• Interpret engineering methods used to develop calculations, layouts, drawings, and specifications.
• Review conceptual studies and sketches for key project elements, materials, equipment, and specifications.
• Track projects through all phases, maintain current technical data, and coordinate with managers and staff.
• Work with AFCENT TSG, other engineering disciplines, operations teams, and U.S. Government organizations such as Wing Safety, Force Protection, Security Forces, Communications, Fire Department, and Medical Group to confirm safety, constructability, maintainability, operability, and overall project alignment.
• Review host nation-funded engineering investigations, including power studies, water and wastewater flow testing, system analysis, and HVAC testing.
• Monitor and report on infrastructure and facility projects from start to finish, including roads, drainage, utilities, plants, runways, hangars, shops, recreation spaces, offices, and dormitories.
• Review as-built drawings at project closeout.
• Oversee new construction, renovation, and improvement efforts from pre-construction surveys through completion, with no more than two missed inspections, surveys, or reviews per month.
• Obtain documented host nation surveillance and confirm compliance with AFCENT TSG specifications, schedules, approved drawings, and statements of work.
• Check project specifications and schedules and verify construction against design requirements.
• Help resolve differences between U.S. and host nation building codes.
• Use software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, GIS, and engineering calculation tools to support analysis and project control.
• Advise host nation construction teams on installation development and operations/maintenance needs so U.S. requirements are met.
• Follow health, safety, and environmental requirements and work to strengthen site safety.
• Apply federal and local codes, including DoD, Air Force, UFC, AFIs (Series 32), AFCEC guidance, laws, criteria, and standards.
• Support base master planning and community planning efforts and help ensure new requirements align with the current and developing Site Master Plan (SMP).
• Prepare documents and presentations accurately and on time.
• Support preparation, implementation, and upkeep of the SMP and keep it current as mission needs change.
• Review facility siting alternatives for compatibility with criteria such as noise, airfield and airspace restrictions, explosives quantity-distance limits, aircraft accident potential, flood risks, soil control, and natural resource protection.
• Recommend approval or denial of waivers tied to SMP requirements.
• Maintain correspondence and map records for site approvals, base comprehensive planning, and airfield criteria waivers.
• Continuously reassess siting requests and update the plan to reflect changing conditions and data.
• Represent the AFCENT TSG in community planning meetings, hearings, conferences, and discussions with other U.S. Air Force units and DoD branches.
• Identify issues, evaluate impacts, and recommend practical solutions using accepted planning practices and precedents.
• Communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing.
• Monitor host nation surveying work and ensure survey data is integrated into GIS and AutoCAD Civil 3D databases, including as-built surveys, stakeouts, topographic data, and boundary/location surveys.
• Ensure maps and surveys are tied to government-established geodetic monuments for horizontal and vertical control.
• Track and maintain Government Furnished Property and notify the designated representative or COR when equipment needs repair or calibration.
• Serve as a special projects liaison with USACE or other design and operations agencies as needed.
• Work closely with AFCENT TSG, local host ECES units, AFCEC, USACE, and other AUAB/ADAB units to identify problems and create technical solutions.
• Attend all project-related meetings and inspections.
• Maintain continuity between rotations and support ongoing process improvement.
• Ensure all engineering criteria and specifications use the most stringent applicable U.S. and host nation codes and standards.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Background

A bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering is required along with 5 years of relevant experience. A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another directly related engineering discipline is also acceptable. Fire Protection Engineer registration is preferred.

The ideal professional is licensed where the facility is located or otherwise demonstrates the expertise and experience needed for the assignment.

The candidate must be capable of fire protection design analysis, including sprinkler and alarm system selection. Strong English reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills are required. The role also requires attendance at all project and investigation meetings, the ability to review host nation design submittals, and the ability to support construction inspections and submittal reviews beyond the scope of construction inspectors.

Clearance

A Secret clearance is required.

Additional Information

The role is identified with tags related to professional jobs, security clearance, overseas/OCONUS work, and related program categories. The listed salary range is USD 143,000 to USD 195,000 per year.