Principal Fire Engineer

Harmony Fire; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme up to 50% of annual pay

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Unlimited holiday

Job summary

Harmony Fire in London seeks a Principal Fire Engineer to act as the technical authority for the London Consultancy team. You will lead complex FRAEW‑based fire engineering commissions, set quality standards, and mentor engineers while collaborating with the Head of Consultancy on strategy and business development.

The role requires chartered fire engineering expertise, proven leadership of large portfolios, and deep knowledge of PAS 9980 and the Building Safety Act.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in fire engineering, building surveying, or related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (IFE, RICS, CIOB or equivalent).
• A-player mindset with high standards and ownership in fire engineering consultancy.
• Extensive experience leading complex commissions and producing high-quality outputs.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for Harmony’s London Consultancy team — providing expert oversight, peer review, and sign-off on complex fire engineering assessments and FRAEW reports.
• Lead and deliver the most complex fire engineering commissions, including FRAEW assessments in accordance with PAS 9980, fire strategies, and specialist fire safety consultancy.
• Set and maintain the technical quality standard across the consultancy team — establishing methodology, reviewing outputs, and ensuring every report leaving the team is defensible and client-ready.
• Mentor, coach, and develop Senior and Junior Fire Engineers, supporting their technical progression and building a high-performing consultancy team.
• Act as a senior client-facing representative for Harmony — building and maintaining relationships at the highest level with housing associations, local authorities, developers, and managing agents.
• Support the Head of Consultancy with business development activity — identifying opportunities, contributing to bids and proposals, and attending client meetings and industry events.

Skills

Technical authority FRAEW

PAS 9980

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Technical writing

Building Safety Act knowledge

EWS1 signatory status

Education

Degree in fire engineering/building surveying

Chartered membership (IFE/RICS/CIOB)

Job description

Principal Fire Engineer

Department: Consultancy

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Graham Oliphant

Description

Harmony is on a mission to be the best life safety partner to work with and for. Rated an ‘Outstanding Employer’ by Best Companies in 2025, we are only getting bigger and stronger — and we’re looking for A-players to help us get there.

We are passionate about making a difference and obsessed with quality. Our goal is to build a world where every resident can sleep safely at night, knowing their home is 100% safe.

Our Consultancy division is growing rapidly across London, and we are looking for a Principal Fire Engineer to serve as our technical authority — leading the most complex commissions, setting the standard for quality and methodology across the team, and playing a central role in shaping how Harmony’s fire engineering consultancy develops. This is a senior leadership role as much as a technical one.

You will lead from the front on FRAEW and fire engineering commissions, mentor and develop junior and senior engineers, and work closely with the Head of Consultancy to drive business development and build the capability of the London team. If you are a highly experienced fire engineer who is ready to take on a role with real influence — this is it.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for Harmony’s London Consultancy team — providing expert oversight, peer review, and sign-off on complex fire engineering assessments and FRAEW reports.
• Lead and deliver the most complex fire engineering commissions, including FRAEW assessments in accordance with PAS 9980, fire strategies, and specialist fire safety consultancy.
• Set and maintain the technical quality standard across the consultancy team — establishing methodology, reviewing outputs, and ensuring every report leaving the team is defensible and client-ready.
• Mentor, coach, and develop Senior and Junior Fire Engineers, supporting their technical progression and building a high-performing consultancy team.
• Act as a senior client-facing representative for Harmony — building and maintaining relationships at the highest level with housing associations, local authorities, developers, and managing agents.
• Support the Head of Consultancy with business development activity — identifying opportunities, contributing to bids and proposals, and attending client meetings and industry events.
• Monitor legislative and technical developments — including the Building Safety Act, PAS 9980, and related guidance — and ensure the team’s methodology evolves accordingly.
• Contribute to the development of Harmony’s consultancy processes, templates, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Represent Harmony externally at industry bodies, working groups, and professional forums as required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• An A-player mindset — high standards, extreme ownership and the drive to do things properly, the first time. Extensive experience in fire engineering consultancy, with a strong track record of leading complex commissions and producing defensible, high-quality outputs.
• Recognised technical authority in FRAEW assessments and PAS 9980, with substantial experience delivering these at scale across residential portfolios.
• Degree-level qualification in fire engineering, building surveying, or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (IFE, RICS, CIOB or equivalent) — with a credible and respected profile in the industry.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team of fire engineers.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills — able to produce and review complex outputs to the highest standard.
• Commercially aware — comfortable contributing to business development and representing Harmony at a senior client level.
• Deep working knowledge of the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act, PAS 9980, and wider fire safety legislation and guidance.
• EWS1 signatory status (or working towards it).

Nice to Have

• Experience working across large-scale social housing or residential high-rise portfolios.
• Knowledge of BS 9997 and wider fire risk management frameworks.
• RICS Level 6 EWS Diploma or equivalent advanced qualification.

Job Benefits

This is a chance to be the technical authority at one of London’s fastest-growing fire safety consultancies — shaping the direction of the team, leading the most complex work in the market, and building something lasting. At Harmony, we ask a lot — and we give a lot back. The hours are real, the standards are high and the work is demanding, but for those who show up, deliver and go the extra mile, the rewards follow. A-players here enjoy a competitive salary, a Personal Development Plan with leadership mentoring and ongoing training, unlimited holiday, a bonus scheme paying up to 50% of annual salary, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity and paternity, lunch, snacks and refreshments on us every day (fresh fruit and Takeaway Friday included), a team social budget, cycle to work, an auto enrolment pension, two major company events a year and our Reward and Recognition scheme — including European mini-breaks for those who go above and beyond. It is a collaborative, high-energy environment focused on doing things the right way — and none of it is a perk for showing up; it’s what we share with the people pulling the business forward.

Harmony is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment regardless of age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief. We want everyone who works with us to feel valued and to make a difference.