Junior Fire Engineer

BRE Ltd; Maidwell; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

Job summary

BRE Ltd in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, is seeking a Junior Fire Engineer to join the Built Environment team, applying postgraduate fire engineering research to real projects for government and private clients.

You will support fire safety analysis, testing and reporting while developing skills in modelling, data interpretation and technical documentation. The role offers a hybrid pattern with on-site days at BRE Science Park in Watford/Garston as needed.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in structural fire engineering or closely related field with fire/structural modelling content.
• Exposure to finite element analysis and related modelling tools.
• Strong numerical, analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to read construction drawings and work with technical documentation.
• Familiarity with CAD software.
• Interest in UK fire safety codes and Eurocode fire parts.
• Clear written communication for technical reports.
• Ability to organise work, manage priorities and meet deadlines.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn as projects develop.

Responsibilities

• Supporting fire safety analysis and research projects involving structural fire experiments, fire compartmentation, numerical analysis, site investigations and façades/cladding.
• Contributing to large and small-scale fire research projects.
• Using modelling and analysis tools to support technical assessments.
• Analysing data and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
• Reviewing technical information, drawings and project evidence.
• Preparing clear technical reports and project outputs.
• Supporting proposals and helping deliver work to the agreed scope and deadlines.
• Managing defined pieces of project work, with support from experienced colleagues.
• Representing BRE in project meetings and technical discussions where appropriate.

Skills

Structural fire engineering

Finite element analysis

CAD software

Reading construction drawings

Data interpretation

Report writing

Project management

Curiosity and learning

Education

Postgraduate qualification in structural fire engineering

Tools

SAFIR

CAD tools

Job description

Junior Fire Engineer

Date: 2026-08-14

Location: Maidwell, Northamptonshire, GB, NN6 9

Application Deadline: 2026-11-15 09:33:47.057

Make an impact

Help shape safer buildings through specialist fire research, testing and engineering advice. This is an opportunity for an early-career structural fire engineer to join BRE's Built Environment team, working on real projects for government and private sector clients. You will use your postgraduate research, modelling and analytical skills to support fire safety research, consultancy and testing that has a practical impact across the built environment.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting fire safety analysis and research projects involving structural fire experiments, fire compartmentation, numerical analysis, site investigations and façades/cladding.
• Contributing to large and small-scale fire research projects
• Using modelling and analysis tools to support technical assessments
• Analysing data and drawing evidence-based conclusions
• Reviewing technical information, drawings and project evidence
• Preparing clear technical reports and project outputs
• Supporting proposals and helping deliver work to the agreed scope and deadlines
• Managing defined pieces of project work, with support from experienced colleagues
• Representing BRE in project meetings and technical discussions where appropriate

What we're looking for

We are leading with the qualification for this role, so we are particularly interested in candidates with an experimental postgraduate research degree in structural fire engineering. You do not need to have held a directly comparable job before, provided your studies, research or project work give you the right technical foundation. We are looking for someone with:

• A postgraduate qualification in structural fire engineering, or a closely related field with relevant fire, structural or modelling content
• Exposure to finite element analysis, ideally including SAFIR, or related modelling tools
• Strong numerical, analytical and data interpretation skills
• The ability to read construction drawings and work with technical documentation
• Familiarity with CAD software
• An interest in UK fire safety codes, building regulations and Eurocode fire parts
• Clear written communication skills, including the ability to produce technical reports
• The ability to organise your work, manage priorities and meet project deadlines
• Curiosity and willingness to keep learning as project needs develop

Experience in fire engineering consultancy, fire research, fire testing, structural engineering, façade/cladding, certification/testing, construction products, government-funded research or regulated technical consultancy would be helpful, but is not essential if your academic background is strong.

Location and working pattern

This role is based at the BRE Science Park in Watford / Garston. The hybrid pattern is 3 days per week on site, plus customer site visits where required. This may vary slightly during busy or training periods.

Recruitment timeline

• Closing date: 28th June 2026
• Interview with Ryan (our AI interviewer): 29th June to 2nd July
• In-person interview at the BRE Science Park: 6th to 10th July

Why join BRE

BRE is a world-leading independent research, advisory and testing organisation focused on making buildings safer, more sustainable and better for people. You will join a specialist team with access to unique fire research and testing facilities, working on projects that combine technical depth with real-world impact. This role offers the chance to build your expertise in structural fire engineering while learning from experienced colleagues across fire research, testing and consultancy.