Technical Director - Fire Engineering

Institute of Fire Engineers; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in Fire Engineering is on the lookout for a Technical Director to spearhead innovative fire safety solutions. This pivotal role emphasizes technical excellence and leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality fire engineering services. You will lead a talented team, mentor junior engineers, and manage projects that significantly impact safety and resilience in building designs. Your expertise will drive advancements in fire safety, while your strategic vision will help shape the future of fire engineering. If you're passionate about enhancing safety and making a real difference, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Paid Health & Safety Training

Paid HR Policies Awareness Training

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in fire safety engineering, ideally in the UK.
• Strong knowledge of CFD modelling and smoke control management.
• Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor fire engineers while managing fire engineering projects.
• Ensure high-quality fire engineering services and maintain client relationships.
• Contribute to sustainable development and the evolution of fire engineering.

Skills

Fire Safety Engineering

Project Management

Active/Passive Fire Systems Engineering

CFD Modelling

Smoke Control Management

Client Relationship Management

Technical Presentation Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering

Postgraduate Fire Engineering Qualification

Full Membership with the IFE

Chartership (CEng) with the IFE

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Bluebeam

Job description

In response to the expansion of our Fire Engineering team, we are seeking a Technical Director (Fire Engineering) to lead the review of all fire strategy reports as an integral part of our internal quality control process. This role is pivotal in ensuring the technical excellence and delivery of Fire Engineering services within our organisation.

In the realm of Fire Engineering, you will be at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to enhance safety and resilience. We are dedicated to creating advancements in Fire Safety Engineering that have a tangible impact on the protection of lives and properties.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical expertise in Fire Safety Engineering, recognized as a leading authority in the discipline, coupled with adept project and people management skills.
• Proven knowledge of Active/Passive Fire Systems Engineering, including expertise in installations and commissioning within the context of building projects.
• Successful track record in delivering fire engineering projects for buildings with a focus on technical excellence, collaborating with stakeholders involved in building construction projects.
• Lead SOCOTEC UK fire engineering technical committee.
• Mentor fire engineers and review fire engineering work prepared by others.

General Responsibilities

• Provide continuous high-quality fire engineering services to our customers, including but not limited to:
  • Third party reviews and design verification.
• Have a clear understanding of fire safety issues and provide well-supported fire engineered solutions through the selection of appropriate methods and tools.
• Be familiar with relevant legislation and design guidance such as Approved Document B (ADB), BS 9999, BS 9991, and BS 7974.
• Work reliably, professionally, and effectively with others (internally and externally), manage time effectively (including regularly filling in timesheets), and operate within the limits of competency.
• Work within a team environment and be able to instruct (graduate) fire engineers and support staff in their work as well as to provide support to directors and associates, when required.
• Provide support, supervision, training, mentoring, and guidance to staff within their remit of control (i.e. Graduate Fire Engineer).
• Help to drive the technical development of the fire engineering team, working in cooperation with other senior engineers.
• Ensure SOCOTEC systems and policies are followed and assist with the development and continued improvement of these (e.g. internal procedures, templates, or similar).
• Ensure that records are maintained to determine that the company’s Quality Procedures, service levels, and contractual requirements are being met.
• Maintain and manage strong client relationships and identify business development opportunities.
• Manage external collaborators working on SOCOTEC projects.
• Contribute to sustainable development and the evolution of the fire engineering discipline.
• Contribute to the development of the company to enhance its reputation by attending or organising conferences, panels, seminars, CPD sessions.
• Undertake other duties within the competence of the post holder, as may be reasonably required from time to time.
• Discharge professional duties with honesty, integrity, impartiality, and objectivity.
• Assist Director of Fire Engineering in making strategic decisions.
• Contribute to and work within the allocated budget agreed with directors.
• In conjunction with senior staff, be aware of all fee quotes issued, communicate regularly with all persons responsible, and facilitate delegation where necessary.
• Give external training and technical presentations to clients, students, and other members of the industry.
• Manage profits & losses for a business unit.
• Be aware of the financial performance of the office and take responsibility for meeting targets.
• Manage a team of fire engineers and carry out regular reviews.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering (mechanical, structural, civil or similar field).
• A postgraduate fire engineering qualification (certificate, diploma or masters).
• Achieved full membership with the IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers).
• Chartership (CEng) with the IFE.
• At least ten years’ experience in fire safety engineering, preferably in the UK.
• Strong knowledge of CFD modelling and smoke control management.
• Self-motivated, able to prioritise and work on own initiative, as well as following instructions and working as part of a team.
• Numerate, and organised with attention to detail.
• Professional appearance and behaviour.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet customer needs and changing priorities.
• Reliable, punctual, honest, and trustworthy.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with regards to Microsoft Word / Outlook and Bluebeam.
• Strong experience in structural fire engineering, or external wall system testing, or design and operation of healthcare facilities.

Mandatory Training

• SOCOTEC Online Health & Safety Training Modules - paid for by the company.
• SOCOTEC Online HR Policies Awareness modules - paid for by the company.