Principal Fire Engineer or Associate Fire Engineer

Hoare Lea; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical cover

EV salary sacrifice scheme

Stock options

Flexible and hybrid working

9-day fortnight scheme

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Hoare Lea’s Fire Engineering group is seeking a Principal or Associate Fire Engineer to join our UK team across Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, or London. Lead fire safety design for major buildings and manage long-term client relationships.

You will apply UK fire regulations, work with multidisciplinary teams, travel to project sites, and mentor junior engineers. The role offers flexible/hybrid working, extensive professional development, and a clear path to Chartered status.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering or related field with fire safety knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of UK fire regulations and design guidance.
• Experience in fire modelling/analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Deliver fire safety design for buildings within the UK (and some international projects).
• Work within multi-disciplinary teams and manage client relationships.
• Attend design workshops, client meetings and site visits.
• Travel to project locations as required.

Skills

Fire safety design

UK fire regulations

Project collaboration

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Fire modelling software

Job description

We have an exciting opening for a Principal or Associate Fire Engineer to join our firm in our Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester or London offices.,

• Join Hoare Lea's Fire Engineering team to deliver fire safety design for buildings across the UK (with occasional international projects).
• Collaborate within multi-disciplinary project teams and manage long-term external client relationships.
• Apply detailed knowledge of UK fire regulations and design guidance to produce compliant, practical solutions.
• Integrate fire engineering requirements with other construction disciplines to achieve coordinated designs.
• Maintain clear, timely communication across teams, incorporating and acting on feedback.
• Represent the fire team at design workshops, client meetings and site visits.
• Travel to client sites and project locations in the UK, and occasionally abroad, as project needs dictate.
• Use fire-modelling and analysis tools (evacuation, smoke, heat radiation and structural fire models) to support design decisions.
• Proven experience in a fire engineering consultancy or related fire safety role.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Building Services, Architecture, Physics, Maths or similar, with strong technical knowledge in fire safety design.
• Practical experience with fire modelling / analysis software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a collaborative approach to team working.
• Strong organisational skills, ability to prioritise and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to high-quality client service.

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves. We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You'll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Hoare Lea's Fire Engineering group is a leading team of experienced fire safety specialists, many Chartered through the Institution of Fire Engineers. As part of one of the UK's largest building engineering consultancies we collaborate with top engineers, access advanced technical resources, and work on major, high-profile projects-while also delivering standalone fire engineering commissions and maintaining long-term client relationships. Notable projects include Heathrow Terminal 2, Doha Metro, the £1bn Elephant & Castle redevelopment, the ExCeL extension, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young Persons (Edinburgh), seven of Manchester's ten tallest buildings (including the UK's tallest residential tower), several major UK airport terminals and two World Cup stadia. We invest heavily in research and testing-covering computational modelling, emerging risks and novel techniques-and recently led two of the world's largest CLT compartment fire tests to validate a sustainable timber office design. Training and professional development are central to our culture: weekly internal sessions, regular away-days and access to external events support career growth and CEng attainment.

Our team's diverse background includes ex-fire service, building control and specialists in physics, mechanical/chemical engineering, materials science and forensics. We are active in SFPE, the Smoke Control Association, BSI and the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Why join us?

• World-class fire engineering on high-quality, varied projects.
• Strong client repeat business and long-term relationships.
• Exceptional training and a clear route to Chartered status.
• Flexible working and generous benefits (including a 9-day fortnight option).
• A supportive, inclusive team culture with regular socials.

Competitive salary + benefits