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.

- 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.