Marine Fire Technician

Stafforce Ports; Southampton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Overtime opportunities

Food allowances

Overnight allowances

Pension (NEST)

Annual leave 33 days

Training & certification

Career progression

Job summary

Stafforce Ports in Southampton is seeking a Senior Marine Fire Protection Engineer to join their specialist marine safety team. You will work on board commercial vessels, ferries, offshore assets and marine facilities across the UK and Europe, servicing and certifying critical fire protection equipment.

The role requires leading engineers, mentoring juniors, and delivering high standards of safety and customer service, with opportunities for significant overtime to boost earnings.

Qualifications

• Experience working in marine fire protection and maritime safety environments.
• Hands-on servicing, discharging, refilling and recommissioning CO₂ systems.
• Experience with fixed fire suppression systems and firefighting equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and service documentation.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, service and certify marine firefighting equipment on vessels and offshore assets.
• Discharge, test, refill and recommission fixed CO₂ fire suppression systems.
• Maintain CO₂ flooding systems and high/low pressure components.
• Service portable and wheeled extinguishers, BA/EEBD gear.
• Inspect and maintain fire detection and alarm systems onboard.
• Produce inspection reports and service records; ensure safety standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Deliver excellent customer service with a safety-first approach.

Skills

CO2 fire suppression servicing

Fixed fire suppression systems

Marine fire protection experience

Reading technical drawings

Communication skills

Driving Licence (UK)

Education

BAFE Qualification

Job description

Senior Marine Fire Protection Engineer

Location: Southampton

Salary: £38,000 to £42,000 with huge overtime potential

Due to continued growth, our client is seeking an experienced Senior Marine Fire Protection Engineer to join their specialist marine safety team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Marine Engineer, Marine Service Engineer, Vessel Engineer, Offshore Engineer or Marine Safety Equipment Engineer looking to join a growing business operating across the maritime sector. Working onboard commercial vessels, ferries, offshore assets and marine facilities throughout the UK and Europe, you'll play a vital role in maintaining, servicing, testing and certifying critical marine fire protection and life‑saving equipment. As a senior member of the engineering team, you will also support the training and development of junior engineers, sharing your technical expertise and helping raise standards across the team.

This role would particularly suit candidates with experience in marine fire suppression systems, fixed firefighting installations, CO₂ systems, maritime safety equipment and shipboard engineering environments.

The Role

As a Senior Marine Fire Protection Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Inspection, servicing and certification of marine firefighting equipment onboard commercial shipping vessels and offshore assets.
• Discharging, testing, refilling and recommissioning fixed fire suppression systems including CO₂, dry powder and foam systems.
• Maintenance and inspection of high and low-pressure CO₂ flooding systems.
• Service, repair and certification of portable and wheeled fire extinguishers.
• Inspection, testing and maintenance of Breathing Apparatus (BA) and Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs).
• Inspection and maintenance of marine fire detection and alarm systems.
• Diagnosing faults and carrying out repairs to critical vessel safety systems.
• Ensuring all work complies with industry and maritime safety standards.
• Producing accurate inspection reports, certification documents and service records.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to developing engineers and technicians.
• Delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining a strong safety‑first approach.

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• Experience working within marine fire protection, marine engineering or maritime safety environments.
• Hands‑on experience servicing, discharging, refilling and recommissioning CO₂ fire suppression systems.
• Experience working on fixed fire suppression systems, dry powder systems and firefighting equipment.
• Strong understanding of shipboard fire protection systems and maritime safety equipment.
• Experience servicing fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus and EEBD equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics and service documentation.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Strong communication skills and customer‑focused approach.

Desirable Experience

• Commercial shipping or vessel engineering experience.
• Offshore engineering experience.
• Marine service engineer background.
• Experience with SOLAS‑regulated equipment.
• Additional qualifications such as ADR, FLT, Class 1 or Class 2 licences.
• Offshore certification or willingness to obtain.

Essential Qualifications

• BAFE Qualification.

The Person

We're looking for someone who enjoys working with people and sharing knowledge. You will be:

• An experienced marine engineering or fire protection professional.
• Comfortable leading projects and supporting junior engineers.
• Customer-focused and professional.
• Self‑motivated and capable of working independently.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Flexible and willing to travel.

Travel & Working Pattern

• Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
• Approximately 60% travel throughout the UK.
• Regular overnight stays with allowances paid.
• Opportunities to travel throughout Europe.
• Occasional vessel sailings ranging from overnight trips to assignments of up to 10 days onboard.
• Offshore project opportunities available with training provided.
• No call-out rota.
• For engineers looking to maximise earnings, significant overtime opportunities are available, with realistic annual earnings of £50,000 to £60,000+.

Package

• £38,000 - £42,000 basic salary.
• Higher salaries considered for candidates with strong marine CO₂ suppression experience.
• Company vehicle.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Food allowances.
• Overnight allowances.
• NEST Pension Scheme.
• Annual leave increasing with service up to 33 days.
• Extensive external training and certification opportunities.
• Genuine long‑term career progression.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Marine Engineers
• Marine Service Engineers
• Vessel Engineers
• Offshore Fire Technicians
• Offshore Engineers
• Marine Safety Equipment Engineers
• Ex‑Royal Navy Marine Engineering Technicians
• Fire Suppression Engineers with marine experience
• Maritime Engineering Professionals

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies.