Life Safety Systems (LSS) Construction Manager
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Life Safety Systems (LSS) Construction Manager with strong expertise in Fire Alarm (FA) and VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) systems to support the construction of a large-scale mission-critical data center project.
This position will be responsible for overseeing the installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and turnover of life safety systems throughout the project. The Construction Manager will coordinate contractors, vendors, engineering teams, and project stakeholders to ensure all systems are installed safely, correctly, on schedule, and in accordance with applicable codes, project specifications, and quality requirements.
The ideal candidate has extensive construction experience with fire alarm, VESDA, and life safety systems, preferably within data centers, mission-critical facilities, semiconductor facilities, or other complex construction environments.
Responsibilities
- Oversee field execution of Fire Alarm, VESDA, and associated life safety system installation, integration, testing, and commissioning.
- Manage day-to-day construction activities associated with the Life Safety Systems scope.
- Coordinate subcontractors, equipment vendors, engineering teams, and other construction disciplines.
- Ensure LSS installations comply with project drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and quality requirements.
- Review installation drawings, shop drawings, submittals, redlines, technical documentation, and equipment requirements for accuracy and constructability.
- Monitor construction schedules and identify potential delays, constraints, and critical-path issues related to LSS activities.
- Develop and coordinate mitigation and recovery plans when schedule or construction issues arise.
- Coordinate Fire Alarm and VESDA installation activities with electrical, mechanical, controls, security, and other building systems.
- Lead field coordination and progress meetings with contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders.
- Manage inspections and coordinate with applicable authorities and project teams as required.
- Perform and oversee quality control inspections and ensure deficiencies and punch-list items are resolved in a timely manner.
- Track RFIs, submittals, field changes, testing documentation, and other construction documentation associated with LSS systems.
- Monitor equipment procurement, delivery, installation, and field readiness.
- Support commissioning and integrated systems testing of Fire Alarm, VESDA, and associated life safety systems.
- Ensure testing records, as-built documentation, redlines, commissioning documentation, and turnover packages are complete and compliant.
- Provide regular reporting regarding construction progress, schedule, quality, risks, inspections, testing, and outstanding issues.
- Serve as a primary field point of contact for Life Safety Systems construction activities.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in life safety, fire alarm, fire protection, or related construction management.
- Strong hands-on knowledge of Fire Alarm and VESDA systems within large commercial, industrial, or mission-critical facilities.
- Strong knowledge of NFPA requirements and familiarity with IBC, IFC, and applicable local fire and life safety codes.
- Experience overseeing installation, testing, commissioning, and turnover of life safety systems.
- Demonstrated experience managing subcontractors and specialty vendors on large-scale construction projects.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, fire alarm drawings, specifications, shop drawings, submittals, and technical documentation.
- Strong understanding of construction sequencing, scheduling, field coordination, inspections, and system turnover.
- Experience coordinating life safety systems with electrical, mechanical, controls, and other building systems.
- Strong understanding of QA/QC processes and construction documentation.
- Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced construction environment.
- Ability to work on-site full-time and travel as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous data center or mission-critical construction experience.
- Experience managing Fire Alarm and VESDA scopes on large-scale construction projects.
- Experience with integrated systems testing and life safety commissioning.
- Experience supporting semiconductor, cleanroom, advanced manufacturing, or other highly technical facilities.
- Experience taking life safety systems from initial installation through testing, commissioning, inspections, and final turnover.