The intern will assist in the design of fire protection and life safety systems, including performing engineering calculations and smoke modeling. They will also conduct research on building and fire codes to support project compliance and basis of design documentation.
Requirements overview
Candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited Fire Protection Engineering or related undergraduate program with a graduation date of August 2027 or later. Applicants must have strong communication skills and the ability to work under the supervision of senior engineers.
WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering, science and infrastructure solutions firms, uniting its multidisciplinary expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. From local beginnings to a globe-spanning presence today, WSP operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 83,000 professionals, known as Visioneers. Together they pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, and mining and metals sectors. WSP is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:WSP).
This Opportunity
WSP USA hosts hundreds of interns across the United States to gain hands-on,
meaningful work experience to enhance their education and professional aptitude.
Our interns gain exposure to real projects while working side by side with
senior staff. Through our Developing Professionals Network, interns gain
mentorship, networking opportunities and lifelong career connections.
Our Fire and Life Safety (FLS) team is seeking a full-time Fire & Life Safety
Engineering Intern - Summer 2027 to work out of our Boston, MA office. The
following locations will also be considered: New York, NY; Columbia, MD;
Arlington, VA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX. This temporary position is seeking
individuals currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program.
This 12-week internship will be part of the WSP Summer Internship Program that
is scheduled to start on May 17th, 2027. The individual start date of the
internship may be flexible.
Your Impact
* Research of building code, life safety code, and fire code requirements. This
will include familiarity with both ICC and NFPA codes, including the
International Building Code and NFPA 101.
* Assist with the design of fire protection and life safety engineering systems
including automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems,
smoke management systems, and egress systems.
* Assist in the preparation of fire engineering calculations including smoke
modeling and evacuation analysis from simple hand calculations to complex 3D
computational modeling.
* Assist in the commissioning of fire alarm, fire suppression, smoke control,
and life safety systems.
* Perform routine engineering functions and provide entry-level technical
assistance on various code requirements, calculations, and design strategies
to develop performance-based solutions for projects.
* Under general supervision, assist with review architectural drawings for
compliance with building and fire code requirements, and with producing fire
safety strategy (basis of design) documents to inform and support the chosen
building characteristics throughout the design process.
* Support a variety of engineering tasks with the goal to develop technical,
social, and ethical skills.
* Learn basic principles of Fire Protection Engineering, working under direct
supervision of engineers.
* Assist with project research, field work, and preliminary design calculations
and analysis.
* Support preparation of final design plans, special provisions, and cost
estimates.
* Meeting required schedules while producing quality work.
* Coordinates design efforts with multi-discipline teams.
* Ability to perform code research independently to solve technical issues and
dictate basis of design.
* Complete training on assigned tasks.
* Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds,
resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related
policies and procedures.
* Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
* Please note that there is no relocation or housing assistance associated with
this internship.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
* Actively enrolled in an accredited Fire Protection Engineering, or related
Undergraduate program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2027 or
later.
* Must be 18 or older.
* Demonstrated interest in Fire Protection & Life Safety or related field and
have a strong desire to advance skills related to WSP’s work and projects.
* Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with
others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and
non-engineering audience.
* Capable of taking direction from leadership, mentors, and managers to
executive projects.
* Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software,
spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
* Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by
WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
* Authorization to work in the United States at the start of the internship.
Preferred Qualifications
* Actively enrolled in an accredited Fire Protection Engineering, or related
Undergraduate program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2027 or
later.
* Experience using AutoCAD or Revit.
* Prior internship and leadership involvement on campus.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $23.90 - $32.22
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith
believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful
applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to
internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to
ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits
and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s
sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.