Presale Engineering Support Specialist

The Presale Engineering Support Specialist provides technical support to the sales team during the presale process - take-offs, bills of materials, and code guidance for fire alarm quotes and bids, with fire alarm/life safety making up the majority of the workload. The role also provides the same presale support for security systems projects (access control, CCTV, and intrusion) as needed. This is a single, centralized role within Engineering, serving all IPS branches. During periods of lower presale demand, the role also contributes to design work on smaller projects, keeping the position productive year-round rather than tied strictly to presale volume.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare bills of materials (BOMs) from take-offs and plan sets to support sales quoting.
• Perform take-offs on bid and spec projects as requested by sales.
• Provide the same take-off, BOM, and quoting support for security systems projects (access control, CCTV, and intrusion), as volume requires.
• Provide fire alarm code guidance and design input to sales reps during the quoting process.
• Support submission of fire alarm permits where needed during presale/bid stages.
• Coordinate directly with sales reps across all branches to manage request volume and turnaround expectations.
• During lower-demand periods, take on smaller engineering design drawings to support the broader design team.
• Flag scope, code, or compliance concerns on bid documents before they go out to sales.
• Estimate the design hours a project will require, to support accurate project scheduling and staffing once a bid is won.

Task Breakdown

Presale Support (primary focus)

• Review incoming take-off/BOM requests and prioritize based on bid deadlines.
• Assemble BOMs consistent with IPS design and formatting standards.
• Research and confirm equipment compatibility for quoting (panels, devices, ASD, etc.).
• Respond to sales questions on code requirements (e.g., ADA notification, FSDs, system smoke coverage) during active bids.
• Determine estimated design hours required for the project, to inform scheduling once the bid is won.
• Assemble take-offs and BOMs for security systems bids (access control, CCTV, intrusion) as they come in, alongside fire alarm work.
• Track and communicate turnaround status back to requesting sales reps.

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• Pick up smaller design drawings during slower presale periods.
• Coordinate with the Design Engineering Manager on drawing assignments and priority.
• Route any stamped/certified design deliverables through appropriately licensed staff for final review.

• Cross-Functional

Participate in regular check-ins with the Design Design Support (as capacity allows)

• Engineering Manager on workload and branch demand.
• Provide input on recurring presale bottlenecks to help refine the role and process over time.

Qualifications

Required

• Prior experience in fire alarm estimating, design, or presale/technical sales support - this is the primary focus of the role.
• Working knowledge of fire alarm code requirements (NFPA 72 and related local/state code).
• Familiarity with major fire alarm panel platforms (e.g., Simplex, Notifier, Fire-Lite, EST).
• Strong communication skills - this role works directly and frequently with sales staff.
• Ability to travel regularly across all four IPS branch offices.

Preferred

• NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification (or actively working toward it). Not required at hire if the role's scope stays on presale/support work rather than independently produced stamped drawings.
• AutoCAD experience.
• Experience with security systems - access control, CCTV, and intrusion (e.g., Bosch, DMP, Axis)
• Prior experience specifically in a presale or estimating capacity, in addition to field or post-sale experience.