Fire Alarm Project Manager (Commercial Electrical Construction)

Required Industry Experience:

• Direct experience managing or installing fire alarm or life safety systems in commercial construction
• Demonstrated knowledge of NFPA 72 and applicable life safety codes
• Experience coordinating field installation, testing, and commissioning of fire alarm systems

Who We Are

Richards, a Phalcon company, is a leading electrical contractor specializing in commercial construction, hyperscale data centers, and complex life safety system installations. Our work is built around our commitment to Quality, Safety, and Productivity (QSP) — three pillars that guide every decision, every project, and every team member. We take pride in craftsmanship, invest in our people, and build solutions that help our customers win. If you’re energized by technical excellence, strong field collaboration, and the chance to make a real impact, you’ll feel right at home here.

Position Overview

The Life Safety Electrical Construction Project Manager oversees the full project lifecycle for fire alarm, area-of-rescue, and other life safety system installations across commercial and mission-critical environments. You’ll coordinate closely with field leadership, engineering teams, and customers while using technology-driven tools to keep schedules, budgets, and quality on track. This role blends technical understanding with operational leadership. You’ll drive QSP outcomes, elevate field coordination, and represent Richards as the primary point of contact for all life safety system activities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead fire alarm and life safety system installations, including device layout coordination, panel integration, and final acceptance testing.
• Maintain ownership of schedule, cost, quality, documentation, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive a culture of field partnership, support foremen, ensure safe installations, and remove roadblocks before they affect productivity.
• Coordinate with AHJs, fire marshals, inspectors, and commissioning agents
• You will review and interpret electrical, fire alarm, mechanical, architectural, and security drawings and specifications.
• Develop and maintain a detailed work breakdown structure aligned with project milestones and manpower planning.
• Oversee procurement of materials, equipment, and subcontractor coordination. You will ensure all installations meet federal, state, and local code requirements for fire alarm and life safety systems.
• Prepare, track, and manage RFIs, submittals, change directives, contracts, and change orders.
• Organize project logs, drawings, and correspondence using Autodesk Build for document control and workflow management.
• Perform cost tracking, coding, forecasting, and project financial updates using Vista by Viewpoint.
• Lead internal andexternal projectmeetings, ensuring accountability and follow-through.
• Manage closeout activities including testing, commissioning, O&M documentation, and cost reconciliation.
• Capture lessons learned and integrate them into future planning and execution. You will identify opportunities to increase field productivity, improve safety, and enhance coordination. You will embrace new technology, tools, and processes that elevate project performance.

What You’ll Need

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in fire alarm or life safety system installation, design, or project management within commercial construction. Experience working with fire alarm vendors (Notifier, Siemens, Edwards, Simplex, etc.) strongly preferred
• Prior project management experience in commercial electrical contracting is strongly preferred.
• NICET certification or a related credential is highly preferred. Experience designing or reviewing fire alarm and area-of-rescue layouts is highly desirable.
• Field Electrical experience preferred, OR a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent experience will be considered.
• You should have strong knowledge of commercial electrical systems, fire alarm systems, and applicable code requirements.
• You must be able to read and interpret drawings, specifications, electrical diagrams, and engineered documents.
• You should have experience managing RFIs, submittals, take-offs, and construction documentation workflows.
• Experience with Vista by Viewpoint for job cost tracking and Autodesk Build for project document control is preferred.
• You should be proficient with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam, and experience with CAD tools is a plus.
• Experience with scheduling software such as MS Project or Primavera is also preferred.
• Success in this role requires excellent communication, a strong client-service mindset, and the ability to build trust with field teams and customers. You should be organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects at once. You should be self-directed, proactive, and confident making decisions in fast-paced environments.

Why Join Us

At Richards, you’ll be part of a team that values expertise, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement. You’ll work with talented field teams, contribute to mission-critical projects, and deliver installations that protect people and keep facilities running safely. Just as importantly, you’ll be part of a company that lives its QSP values and invests in your long-term growth.

EEO Vets and individuals with disabilities

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have direct experience managing or installing commercial fire alarm or life safety systems?

Experience:

• Electrical systems: 5 years (Required)
• Blueprint reading: 5 years (Required)
• Fire alarm: 5 years (Required)
• Life Safety Electrical: 5 years (Required)
• Project management: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person