Fire Engineer – Wildland-Urban Interface Specialist in Montana (Shape Fire-Resilient Communities)

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Lead the charge in fire safety for Montana's most vulnerable communities. As a Fire Engineer specializing in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), you will design life-saving protection systems, conduct critical risk assessments, and develop strategies that directly protect lives and property in the face of increasing wildfire threats. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for an engineer ready to make a tangible difference in Big Sky Country.

About the Role

You will join a forward-thinking team dedicated to pioneering fire safety solutions for Montana's unique landscape. Your work will bridge the gap between structural fire protection and wildland fire science. You will be the technical authority on WUI projects, working directly with developers, municipal planners, fire departments, and property owners to implement defensible space plans, ignition-resistant construction standards, and community-wide protection systems. This isn't just a desk job; you'll be in the field assessing terrain, reviewing site plans, and ensuring compliance with the latest NFPA 1141 and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code standards.

Your expertise will directly shape safer developments in high-risk areas from the Rocky Mountain Front to the Bitterroot Valley. We need a problem-solver who can translate complex fire behavior models into practical, buildable engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct WUI Risk Assessments & Site Inspections: Evaluate existing and proposed developments for wildfire exposure, fuel loads, topography, and access. Produce detailed technical reports with actionable mitigation strategies.
• Design & Review Protection Systems: Specify and design fire sprinkler systems, water supply requirements (including cisterns and dry hydrants), access road standards, and defensible space layouts for residential and commercial projects in the WUI.
• Code Compliance & Plan Review: Serve as the expert on state and local WUI fire codes. Review subdivision plats, building plans, and infrastructure designs for compliance and recommend alternatives.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Advise and educate developers, architects, county planners, and fire chiefs on best practices. Develop public education materials on WUI safety.
• Research & Innovation: Stay at the forefront of wildfire engineering, incorporating new materials, modeling software (like FARSITE or WFDS), and mitigation techniques into our standard practices.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Montana or ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fire protection engineering, with at least 2 years focused on wildland-urban interface projects.
• Deep, practical knowledge of NFPA 1141, International WUI Code, and related local/municipal regulations.
• Proficiency with fire dynamics modeling software and hydraulic calculation programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reports and client presentations.

Highly Desired:

• Certified Fire Protection Engineer (CFPE) credential.
• Direct experience working for a fire protection consultancy, a fire district, or a land management agency (USFS, BLM, DNRC).
• Field experience in wildland firefighting or prescribed fire operations.
• Familiarity with Montana's specific topography, climate, and jurisdictional challenges.

What We Offer

This is more than a job; it's a mission. We provide the resources and autonomy for you to excel, coupled with a compensation package that reflects your critical expertise and Montana's cost of living.

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary commensurate with experience (target range $95,000 – $135,000) plus a robust performance bonus structure tied to project success and client satisfaction.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family. Generous 401(k) match and immediate vesting.
• Work-Life Integration: Flexible PTO policy and a culture that respects personal time. We believe rested engineers are effective engineers.
• Tools for Success: Company-provided truck, full technical software suite, dedicated field vehicle allowance, and a budget for professional development and conference attendance.
• Montana Lifestyle: Enjoy an unmatched quality of life. From world-class skiing and hiking to pristine rivers and vast open spaces, your adventure is outside your door. We support your passion for the outdoors.
• Student Loan Assistance: Up to $5,000 annually toward qualified student loan debt.
• Sign-On Bonus: A significant sign-on bonus to help with your transition to Montana.

Ready to Engineer a Safer Future?

If you are driven by technical challenge and the profound impact of your work, we want to hear from you. This role is perfect for a Fire Engineer who is tired of theoretical projects and craves the complex, real-world application of their skills in one of America's most beautiful—and fire-prone—landscapes. Bring your expertise to Montana and help us build communities that are not only desirable but fundamentally resilient.

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