Assistant Manager - Fire Protection Design & Estimation

Naffco; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Naffco in Dubai seeks an Assistant Manager to oversee engineering and estimation functions for fire protection projects, ensuring technical excellence and commercial competitiveness. You will lead multi-project operations, drive engineering strategy, and optimize costs while ensuring compliance with NFPA and UAE Civil Defense standards.

The role requires 10–15+ years in fire protection engineering and estimation, with at least 5 years in leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Fire Protection Engineering or equivalent.
• 10–15+ years of experience in fire protection engineering and estimation.
• Minimum 5 years in leadership or managerial capacity.
• Experience managing multi-project engineering operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complete fire protection engineering operations across multiple projects.
• Review and approve hydraulic calculations, fire pump designs and alternative solutions.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA, FM Global, and UAE Civil Defense standards.
• Drive value engineering and cost optimization in projects.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Tender strategy

Commercial risk assessment

Fire protection optimization

Team management

Civil Defense approvals

Cost control

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Fire Protection Engineering

Tools

Procore

BIM/Revit

Job description

Job Purpose

To manage the engineering and estimation functions for fire protection projects, ensuring technical excellence, commercial competitiveness, authority compliance, and operational efficiency. The Assistant Manager will oversee multiple projects and tender operations while driving engineering strategy, cost optimization, and team performance.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Management

• Lead complete fire protection engineering operations across multiple projects.
• Review and approve complex hydraulic calculations, fire pump designs and alternative engineering solutions.
• Ensure full compliance with NFPA, FM Global, and UAE Civil Defense standards.
• Drive constructability-focused engineering and system optimization initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership for high-rise, industrial, infrastructure, and warehouse projects.

Commercial & Estimation Leadership

• Oversee estimation department activities including BOQ/MTO development, pricing validation, and bid strategy.
• Conduct management-level commercial risk reviews and tender evaluations.
• Lead value engineering initiatives to improve project profitability and technical competitiveness.
• Coordinate supplier negotiations, benchmarking, and strategic procurement support.
• Review contract variations, claims, and post-award engineering cost optimization.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Manage engineering and estimation teams ensuring productivity, quality, and resource allocation.
• Establish engineering workflows, QA/QC standards, and submission procedures.
• Mentor Team Leaders, Senior Engineers, and junior staff for succession development.
• Drive KPI monitoring for design accuracy, tender success rate, and approval timelines.

Stakeholder & Authority Management

• Interface with consultants, clients, contractors, and Civil Defence authorities.
• Lead authority approval strategies and technical negotiations.
• Present technical and commercial reviews to senior management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Fire Protection Engineering or equivalent
• 10–15+ years of experience in fire protection engineering & estimation
• Minimum 5 years in leadership or managerial capacity
• Strong experience managing multi-project engineering operations

Preferred Certifications

• CFPS – NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist
• NFPA certifications (13, 20, 25, 92)
• Procore Estimation Certification
• BIM/Revit coordination exposure preferred

Key Skills

• Engineering leadership
• Tender strategy & bid management
• Commercial risk assessment
• Fire protection system optimization
• Team management & mentoring
• Civil Defense approvals
• Cost control & value engineering