Senior Test Engineer - Fire & Explosion

Job Overview

Jensen Hughes is seeking motivated Test Engineers at multiple experience levels to join the Research, Development, Testing + Evaluation team at our Fire Testing Lab in Baltimore, Maryland. Successful candidates will work independently and in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of professional consultants and engineers to help our clients answer some of the industry’s most challenging fire protection questions, including AFFF replacement, BESS fire and explosion hazards, flammable refrigerants, EV fire safety, rail transportation fire risks, and rack storage fire protection and suppression strategies. Unlike traditional testing organizations, the RDT+E team does far more than execute test plans. Our engineers are involved in defining the industry’s toughest technical questions, developing novel test methods, generating the data needed to validate analytical and computational models, and transforming research findings into industry guidance and thought leadership. The work frequently influences emerging standards, supports innovative technologies, and helps shape the future of fire protection engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement test plans and protocols for evaluating the fire safety performance of products, including fire suppression systems, detection devices, new construction materials, and other related products.
• Identify and apply specialized test equipment and instrumentation, such as calorimeters, smoke chambers, thermal imaging cameras, and gas analyzers, to accurately measure and record relevant test parameters.
• Oversee the setup, operation, and maintenance of new and existing laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Conduct a wide range of fire safety tests, including but not limited to fire resistance, flame spread, smoke detection, and heat release rate tests, in accordance with applicable industry standards.
• Strategically manage multiple projects concurrently, from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, quality standards, and client deliverables.
• Collect, process, and analyze test data using various data processing techniques.
• Communicate research findings, test results, and recommendations clearly and concisely through test reports, technical documentation, and presentations tailored to the needs of our diverse clientele.
• Participate in technical discussions and provide expert guidance on fire safety testing matters to internal stakeholders, partners, and clients.
• Mentor junior lab engineers by demonstrating best practices and facilitating an environment where practical testing skills can be developed.
• Support strategic initiatives related to growing our fire testing capabilities and client base.
• Leadership opportunities are available and can be tailored to the right candidate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in a client-focused laboratory environment with a proven track record of delivering innovative client-oriented testing solutions, preferably within the fire protection industry. Experience with li-ion battery abuse and fire testing at cell, module, and unit scales is strongly preferred.
• Available to work full time onsite at the test facility in Baltimore, MD, USA (BWI area).
• Knowledge and/or experience with the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory equipment and apparatus, including hood calorimeters, test furnaces, and other specialized instrumentation.
• Experienced at conducting bench-scale to full-scale fire tests, applying best practices for test documentation, and operating testing equipment and instrumentation.
• Knowledge and/or experience with data collection software, hardware, and instrumentation, including the calibration, installation, and operation of instruments intended for measurement of temperature, heat flux, pressure, gas concentrations, etc.
• Interest in writing proposals and developing your client base.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.