Senior/Principal Fire Engineer

PENGUIN RECRUITMENT LTD; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays and birthday leave

Company pension

Flexible hybrid or fully remote

Professional development and Charter-­

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Fire Engineer or Principal Fire Engineer in Reading. The role combines leading fire strategies with risk assessments across data centres, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure, in a hybrid or fully remote setting.

You will mentor junior engineers, review designs, and support bids while ensuring compliance with UK Building Regulations and fire standards. A strong technical background and leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience for Senior or 10+ years for Principal.
• Proven experience delivering fire strategies and fire risk assessments.
• Strong knowledge of UK Building Regulations, Approved Document B, BS 9999/9991/7974.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire strategy development for new-build, refurbishment and existing-building projects.
• Deliver prescriptive and performance-based solutions per relevant standards.
• Assess means of escape, compartmentation, fire resistance, smoke control and evacuation arrangements.
• Prepare fire strategy reports and technical assessments.
• Review architectural, structural and MEP designs throughout project delivery.
• Lead FRAs across commercial, industrial, data centre and complex facilities.
• Review active fire protection systems and ensure compliance with legislation.
• Undertake or review fire modelling, smoke movement and evacuation assessments.
• Lead projects, manage budgets, programmes and deliverables.
• Liaise with clients, Building Control and multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and support tenders and business development.

Skills

Lead fire strategy development

Fire risk assessments

Project management

Technical reporting

Communication skills

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Degree in Fire Engineering or related

Tools

FDS

PyroSim

CFAST

Revit or AutoCAD

Job description

Senior Fire Engineer / Principal Fire Engineer

Location: Reading, UK (Hybrid / Fully Remote)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

An established multidisciplinary engineering consultancy specialising in engineering and fire safety solutions is seeking an experienced Senior fire engineer or Principal Fire Engineer.

Working across data centres, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and critical infrastructure, the successful candidate will lead fire strategies, fire risk assessments and technical engineering projects.

Key Responsibilities

Fire Engineering and Strategies

• Lead fire strategy development for new-build, refurbishment and existing-building projects.
• Deliver prescriptive and performance-based solutions in line with BS 9999, BS 9991, BS 7974 and Approved Document B.
• Assess means of escape, compartmentation, fire resistance, smoke control and evacuation arrangements.
• Prepare fire strategy reports and technical assessments.
• Review architectural, structural and MEP designs throughout project delivery.

Fire Risk Assessments and Protection

• Lead FRAs across commercial, industrial, data centre and complex facilities.
• Assess risks associated with generators, electrical plant, fuel systems and battery energy storage.
• Review fire precautions and advise on compliance with relevant legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Review active fire protection systems, including sprinklers, water mist, gaseous suppression, AOVs and smoke control.
• Review fire alarm Cause & Effect matrices, contractor submissions and technical designs.
• Undertake or review fire modelling, smoke movement and evacuation assessments.

Project Management and Leadership

• Lead projects, managing technical quality, budgets, programmes and deliverables.
• Liaise with clients, Building Control, fire authorities and multidisciplinary teams.
• Review technical reports, lead meetings and mentor junior engineers.
• Support tenders, fee proposals and business development.

Requirements

Essential

• Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience for Senior level or 10+ years for Principal level.
• Proven experience delivering fire strategies and fire risk assessments.
• Strong knowledge of UK Building Regulations, Approved Document B, BS 9999, BS 9991 and BS 7974.
• Experience with active and passive fire protection systems and smoke ventilation.
• Excellent technical reporting, project management and communication skills.

Desirable

• CEng, MIFireE or equivalent professional membership, or working towards Chartership.
• Fire risk assessor certification or registration.
• Experience in data centres, industrial facilities, power generation or critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with FDS, PyroSim, CFAST, Revit or AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of NFPA and FM Global standards.

What Is on Offer?

• Competitive salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and birthday leave.
• Company pension.
• Flexible hybrid or fully remote working.
• Professional development and Chartership support.
• Exposure to challenging UK and international projects.
• Career progression into technical leadership.
• Supportive team environment, social events and discretionary bonuses.

The organisation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates.