Principal Fire Engineer

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is hiring a Principal Fire Engineer/Technical Lead in Birmingham to oversee complex fire engineering projects. This role demands strong leadership in technical and commercial aspects, ensuring high quality service delivery across projects.

The ideal candidate will possess significant expertise in fire engineering, hold relevant qualifications, and demonstrate the ability to foster strong client relationships and lead teams effectively. This opportunity supports an innovative environment, contributing to advancements in fire safety practices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fire engineering or related fields.
• Proven ability to manage projects from inception to completion.
• Familiarity with fire safety legislation and design standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex design projects for fire safety.
• Conduct site visits and provide advisory support.
• Prepare technical analyses and fire risk assessments.

Skills

Fire engineering services

Technical analysis

Client relationship management

Project management

Legislation knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in engineering

Postgraduate fire engineering qualification

Tools

FDS/PyroSim

Pathfinder

SAFIR

B-Risk

Job description

Context

As a Principal Fire Engineer/Technical Lead, the role will be responsible for the consistent and timely delivery of complex design projects as well as driving forward both technical and commercial contributions to our business. Specific and significant experience will be used to develop long‑term client relationships and develop new business through these relationships.

This role involves providing a high level of service to our customers across all fire engineering sectors – liaising with clients, preparing fee proposals and managing projects from inception to completion.

Missions / Main Duties

• Working across a variety of projects both independently and as part of a wider team
• Provide continuous high quality fire engineering services to our customers
• Keep abreast of market trends and look for future developing work streams
• Provide advisory support and carry out site visits during construction stage
• Prepare technical engineering analysis such as CFD modelling, structural fire engineering, etc. using programs such as FDS/PyroSim, Pathfinder, SAFIR, B‑Risk, etc. – Fire Risk Assessments, Technical Report Writing and Third party review/design verification
• Have a clear understanding of fire safety issues and provide well supported fire engineered solutions through the selection of appropriate methods and tools
• Ability to negotiate and influence both internal and external parties of design concepts
• Ability to identify solutions to correct problems
• Be capable of strategic, creative and analytical thinking to solve problems both in terms of project and non-project items. Proactively seek out skills in others to support this. Help the team develop efficiencies in the way SYSTRA UK&I deliver work as well as staying at the forefront of the industry technically.
• Have an understanding of relevant legislation and design guidance such as Approved Document B (ADB), BS 9999, BS 9991, BS 9992, BS 7974, BS 5839, BS EN 12845 and BS EN 15004
• Prepare / review fee proposals
• Ensure SYSTRA UK&I systems and policies are followed and assist with the development and continued improvement of the these (e.g. internal procedures, templates, or similar)
• Ensure that records are maintained to determine that the company’s Quality Procedures, service levels and contractual requirements are being met
• Be able to lead and direct a team through the knowledge and application of standards and procedures
• Contribute to sustainable development and the evolution of the fire engineering discipline within the SYSTRA UK&I Business, providing support to the wider business on the latest fire safety standards / regulations / best practice
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve and grow together

Stakeholder accountabilities

• Maintain and manage strong client relationships and identify business development opportunities
• As part of this role will interact with architecture and wider multi-discipline colleagues to produce organized, collaborative built‑environment design solutions
• Interface with the following external parties: local fire authorities, project client team, contractors and external stakeholders, statutory authorities, local planning authorities and supply chain partners (Fire Engineering and others)
• Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, development, performance management and retention of team members to build a high‑performing and engaged team
• Communicate relevant business updates, strategic objectives, and key information to the team in a timely and effective manner, ensuring clarity and alignment
• Ensure full compliance with people policies and procedure, proactively managing people‑related risks to maintain a fair and safe working environment
• Create and maintain a working environment in which SYSTRA’s behavioural expectations are recognised and demonstrated through daily interactions with colleagues and clients. Actively lead by example by considering role‑modelling SYSTRA behaviours, recognising and celebrating team members who exemplify these behaviours, providing constructive feedback for improvement and fostering a supportive environment that enables all colleagues to contribute

Profile / Skills

• A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in engineering (mechanical, structural, civil or similar field)
• A postgraduate fire engineering qualification (certificate, diploma or masters)
• Involvement and recognition with a professional body
• Broad experience and knowledge in a similar role
• Broad and robust knowledge of design and construction principles and standards
• Be able to communicate with tact and diplomacy