Design / Estimation Engineer – Fire & Security

GET Staff; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

GET Staff in Sheffield invites a Design / Estimation Engineer to join their fire and security bid team. The role combines technical design work with commercial estimating to win bids while ensuring compliance with BS standards.

You will produce detailed system designs for Fire Detection, CCTV, and Access Control using AutoCAD, and compile tender submissions with accurate labour and material estimates. A hybrid working arrangement is available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Design/Estimation Engineer or Estimator.
• Exposure to large residential blocks or commercial projects.
• Strong mathematical ability with knowledge of labour rates and margins.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and BS 5839/BS 5266 standards.
• Attention to detail and compliance risk spotting.

Responsibilities

• Produce detailed system designs for Fire Detection, CCTV, and Access Control.
• Compile tender submissions and estimate labour hours.
• Ensure bids are commercially viable and highlight risks.
• Ensure designs meet BS 5839/ BS 5266 and NSI quality criteria.
• Manage end-to-end tender process with clients and delivery teams.

Skills

Design Estimation

AutoCAD

Commercial Awareness

Attention to Detail

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Design / Estimation Engineer – Fire & Security

Location: Sheffield / Hybrid Options Available

Salary: £30,000 - £50,000 Negotiable dependent on experience

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Employer

The client is a premier, fully accredited industry leader specializing in integrated life safety, security, and data systems. They hold major credentials including ISO-9001, Constructionline Gold, and FIA affiliation. The business focuses heavily on high-value new build commercial, retail and large residential construction projects across the UK.

The Opportunity

Due to a record pipeline of incoming tenders from Tier-1 main contractors, a highly analytical Design / Estimation Engineer is required to join their technical bid team.

This position holds dual responsibility for converting client requirements into compliant technical designs, while producing accurate, competitive commercial estimates. The successful candidate will ensure that all incoming bids are engineered to win, fully compliant with regulations and mathematically sound to protect operational margins.

NOTE: The company is highly progressive and will comfortably consider a motivated Junior Design Engineer looking to step up and develop their commercial estimating skills under the guidance of industry experts.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Design: Producing detailed system designs and schematics for Fire Detection, AOV/Smoke Ventilation, CCTV, Access Control, and Intruder alarms using AutoCAD.
• Commercial Estimation & Costing: Compiling accurate tender submissions, taking off quantities from architectural drawings, estimating labour hours and negotiating material costs.
• Commercial Awareness: Ensuring all bids are commercially viable, identifying value engineering opportunities and highlighting potential delivery risks.
• Compliance & Standards: Guaranteeing all designs strictly adhere to relevant standards, including BS 5839 (Fire), BS 5266 (Emergency Lighting), BAFE and NSI Gold quality criteria.
• Tender Management: Managing the end-to-end bid process and collaborating closely with clients, main contractors and internal delivery teams for a seamless transition to construction.

What the Ideal Candidate Brings

• Industry Experience: A proven track record as a Design / Estimation Engineer, Estimator, or Designer within the fire and security systems industry. Applicants at a Junior Design Engineer level with foundational technical skills will also be fully considered.
• Sector Expertise: An understanding of or exposure to designing systems for large residential blocks, new build commercial projects, or education frameworks.
• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Strong mathematical capability with a solid understanding of labour rates, material margins, gross profit and value engineering concepts.
• Technical Proficiency: Foundational to advanced capability using AutoCAD, alongside a working knowledge of current British Standards (BS 5839, BS 5266). Relevant FIA design modules are highly desirable but not essential.
• Attention to Detail: An analytical mindset capable of spotting discrepancies or hidden compliance risks within complex client specifications and construction tender documentation.

What’s on Offer?

• A competitive salary bracket of £30,000 to £50,000, tailored specifically to the candidate's level of experience.
• The opportunity to work on prestigious, high-value new build construction schemes for an industry-accredited market leader.
• Comprehensive training and a structured progression pathway, making it an ideal environment for a Junior Design Engineer to scale their career into a fully competent Design / Estimation Engineer.