Designs sprinklers, smoke control, and escape routes so people survive fires.
You run a computer model of smoke filling an airport terminal, then redesign exhaust fans so everyone escapes in time. Later you witness a full-scale sprinkler test.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 5 years after high school. Fire protection or mechanical engineering degree; PE license in fire protection.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering.
Growing faster than average. Small field with a shortage of engineers.
Low risk for 10 years. Software and AI speed sprinkler and smoke modeling; life-safety judgment, PE stamps and site checks stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, Chemistry, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2111.
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