Principle Fire Engineer

SUEZ; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SUEZ in Manchester is seeking a seasoned Fire Safety Specialist to lead fire strategy implementation across energy-from-waste and related plants.

You will review designs, advise on legislation, train staff, and collaborate with process engineers and inspectors to ensure compliance and continuous safety improvement.

The role requires expert knowledge of building regulations, NFPA/BS codes, and experience in fire system design, risk assessment, and incident investigations.

Qualifications

• Fire risk assessment experience in high-hazard or construction settings.
• Knowledge of Building Regulations, BS 5839, Approved Document B, BS 9999, NFPA codes and BS 12845.
• Expertise in fire hazard identification and mitigation.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Tier-3 Fire Risk Assessors Level with a third-party accredited organisation.
• Familiarisation of WASTE 28 documentation.
• Experience in fire system design.
• Experience analysing fire systems for new projects and upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex fire risk assessments for Energy from Waste and mechanical treatment plants.
• Develop retrospective fire strategies and fire strategies for new buildings via design reviews guided by RIBA stages.
• Engage with process engineering teams to integrate fire safety into complex processes.
• Provide expert advice on fire safety legislation, building regulations and fire engineering principles.
• Design and deliver fire safety training from basic awareness to management level.
• Liaise with enforcing authorities, fire and rescue services, and auditors.
• Build relationships with site teams, contractors and senior stakeholders to influence positive safety behavior.
• Stay updated with evolving fire safety standards and industry best practice.
• Collaborate with technology providers to identify the best fire risk solutions.

Skills

Fire risk assessment

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Fire system design

WASTE 28 familiarity

NFPA/BS codes knowledge

Investigation support

Compliance oversight

Education

Tier-3 Fire Risk Assessor Level

Job description

What will I be doing?

Day to day responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the SUEZ fire strategy.
• Provide subject matter expert advice on fire safety matters to internal teams.
• Review fire system designs, upgrades and new project proposals to ensure compliance with regulations and best practice.
• Identify and address fire safety shortfalls, developing robust improvement recommendations.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure collaborative and compliant delivery.
• Support investigations following fire-related incidents or near misses, identifying root causes and embedding corrective action.
• Develop, review and maintain fire safety policies, procedures, evacuation plans and emergency arrangements.
• Support the development of Fire Prevention Plans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake complex fire risk assessments for Energy from Waste and mechanical treatment plants.
• Produce and further develop retrospective fire strategies.
• Produce fire strategies for new buildings via design reviews using the RIBA stages as a guide.
• Engage with process engineering teams to integrate fire safety requirements into complex processes.
• Provide expert technical advice on fire safety legislation, building regulations and fire engineering principles, translating complex requirements into practical guidance.
• Design and deliver fire safety training programmes, from basic awareness through to fire warden/marshal and management-level training, tailored to different audiences and learning needs.
• Liaise confidently with enforcing authorities, fire and rescue services, and external auditors/certification bodies.
• Build strong working relationships with site teams, contractors and senior stakeholders, influencing positive behaviour change around fire safety.
• Keep up to date with evolving fire safety legislation, standards and industry best practice, ensuring the organisation remains ahead of compliance requirements.
• Engage with technology providers to identify the best available solutions to protect against fire risks.

Required Experience & Skills:

• Fire risk assessment experience in high-hazard or construction settings.
• Strong knowledge of Building Regulations, BS 5839, Approved Document B, BS 9999, and NFPA codes and BS 12845.
• Expertise in fire hazard identification and mitigation.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Either obtained or working towards Tier-3 Fire Risk Assessors Level with a third-party accredited organisation.
• Familiarisation of WASTE 28 documentation.
• Experience in fire system design.
• Experience analysing fire systems for new projects and upgrades.

Who we are

At SUEZ the efficient and sustainable management of resources around the UK is at the heart of everything we do. Respect – acting ethically and with integrity – is one of our core values. We’re passionate about the environment and believe in protecting our world. With true team spirit, we can give our customers a standard of service that goes above and beyond and ensure that our local communities have access to essential water and waste services.

We thank our people for all they do with development opportunities, wide-ranging benefits and rewards that reflect their hard work. In a friendly, supportive environment, you’ll be inspired to grow and play your part in creating a better future for all.