Fire Alarm Project Manager

About Overwatch Mission Critical

Overwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOB) certified through the national veterans business development council (NVBDC), offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor for the mission-critical infrastructure industry.

Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it's more than a job. It's purpose.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Fire Alarm Project Manager to oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of fire alarm and life safety system installations on large-scale construction projects, with a focus on data center and mission-critical environments. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing project schedules, budgets, labor resources, subcontractors, vendors, and customer relationships while ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage fire alarm and life safety projects from initial planning and procurement through installation, testing, commissioning, and final turnover.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting to ensure successful project delivery.
• Coordinate field labor, subcontractors, vendors, equipment, and material procurement to support construction milestones.
• Oversee installation and integration of fire alarm, detection, notification, and associated life safety systems.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, general contractors, construction managers, engineers, and other project stakeholders.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and change orders to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Monitor project costs, labor productivity, material expenditures, and overall profitability.
• Coordinate inspections, system testing, commissioning, and acceptance activities with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
• Ensure compliance with applicable NFPA standards, local building and fire codes, and project-specific safety requirements.
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts, installation challenges, and coordination issues with other construction trades.
• Support project closeout, including as-built documentation, testing records, customer training, and final turnover.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fire alarm and life safety systems, including project management responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of fire alarm installation, testing, commissioning, NFPA 72, and AHJ requirements.
• Experience managing project budgets, financials, scheduling, labor resources, and material procurement.
• Proven ability to coordinate subcontractors, vendors, field technicians, and customer relationships.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, and change orders.

Preferred Qualifications

• NICET Level II or III certification in Fire Alarm Systems.
• Experience managing fire alarm projects within data centers, mission-critical facilities, or large-scale industrial construction.
• Experience with VESDA, aspirating smoke detection, and special hazards fire protection systems.
• Familiarity with major fire alarm platforms, including Notifier, Siemens, Edwards/EST, Simplex, or Honeywell.
• Experience coordinating fire alarm installations with MEP trades and integrated building systems.

Driver’s License Requirement

For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.

Communication Skills

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions.

The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available to support candidates transitioning to the location.

OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.