Technical Director - Fire Engineering

Sweco; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme

Payment of professional subscriptions

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Cycle2Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee discounts

Salary Sacrifice EV scheme

Tree planting for new starters

Job summary

Sweco is recruiting a Technical Director for the Fire Engineering team within the Building Standards Division in London. The role offers flexible, hybrid working with a mix of office, home-based and on-site presence (minimum three days per week in the office/on site).

You will lead a UK-based team of Fire Engineers, collaborating across Sweco business areas and international projects. The ideal candidate has extensive fire safety engineering experience, a Chartered IFE member, and a strong track

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in fire safety engineering and design consultancy.
• Strong track record delivering projects from design through to completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
• Membership of the IFE with chartership or working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Develop Fire Safety Strategies during design and construction stages.
• Prepare technical engineering analyses per guidance (prescriptive and performance-based).
• Manage a team of Fire Engineers.
• Carry out site visits as required.
• Attend internal and external meetings.
• Prepare fee proposals.
• Support the team in developing technical knowledge.
• Oversee and manage projects from inception to completion.
• Liaise with clients daily.
• Review and authorise the work of others.

Skills

Fire safety engineering

Team leadership

Client liaison

Project management

Design consultancy

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fire Engineering

Job description

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

Our Fire Safety Engineering team at Sweco have a core objective to provide strategic fire safety advice and develop fire safety strategies that satisfy the functional requirements of the building regulations, providing solutions that represent a mix of best-practice, expert judgement and innovative fire engineering technologies.

We pride ourselves on our quality and technical expertise that underpins our full suite of Fire services, our approach is to listen and engage with our clients to anticipate the regulatory issues that will need resolving and work in partnership to deliver a successful project.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Director to join our Fire Engineering team within our Building Standards Division in London.

This role offers flexible working, with a mix of office, home-based and on-site working (minimum 3 days per week in the office/on site), along with the option to adjust start and finish times.

Our Fire Engineering teams provide clients with cost-effective, tailored fire safety solutions across a wide range of sectors, supporting projects from concept through to completion.

The role

As Technical Director, you will work across a diverse portfolio of projects as part of a wider UK-based team, with opportunities to collaborate across Sweco business areas and on international projects. You will also lead and support a team of Fire Engineers, including Graduates and Apprentices.

This role would suit an individual with significant design consultancy experience, a recognised fire safety engineering qualification, and a strong track record of delivering projects through design, construction and completion.

You will be part of a wider technical excellence team, with a focus on technical oversight and project delivery. However, candidates with strong business acumen and line management experience are also encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing Fire Safety Strategies during design and construction stages
• Preparing technical engineering analysis using relevant guidance, including prescriptive and performance-based methods
• Managing a team of Fire Engineers
• Carrying out site visits as required
• Attending internal and external meetings
• Preparing fee proposals
• Supporting the team in developing technical knowledge
• Overseeing and managing projects from inception to completion
• Liaising with clients on a daily basis
• Reviewing and authorising the work of others

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive experience in a similar fire safety engineering role
• A strong background in fire safety engineering, with an excellent understanding of fire-engineered solutions
• Strong problem-solving and contingency planning skills, with the ability to find practical, innovative solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt your style to different audiences
• Strong consultancy, communication and relationship management skills
• Experience delivering work across a multi-site organisation
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Fire Engineering
• Full membership of the IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers), with chartership achieved or working towards chartership via the IFE

What's in it for you?

Working for Sweco you’ll experience an inclusive, friendly and flexible working environment where colleagues are encouraged to grow and develop together. A meaningful career where you’ll help to transform society by being a trusted consultant to our clients.

As part of our Building Standards Fire division, and the wider teams, you'll work to maintain the highest standards alongside a team of innovators in a variety of projects, with regular training and bitesized learning opportunities.

We're committed to enabling all our colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible and hybrid working, to ensure we have a healthy work/ life balance, and ask our employees to have an office or site presence on an average of three days a week.

If you believe you have the skill set required, are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance (including family cover)
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK .

We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• The position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those “hard to fill” roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2025 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We’ll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2026 and non‑compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

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