Principal Fire Protection Engineer – Team Lead

Vertical Recruitment; New York (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Vertical Recruitment is partnering with an international engineering consultancy to appoint a Principal Fire Protection Engineer / Team Lead in New York. You will shape the local Fire Protection offering and lead a growing team on high‑profile projects.

The role requires senior leadership, client development and the ability to drive growth across New York and the wider US market, with a base salary of $200,000–$250,000 plus bonus and benefits.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years’ Fire Protection / Fire & Life Safety experience.
• PE licence required.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA, IBC and US fire/life safety codes.
• Extensive US consultancy experience; NY/Northeast market knowledge.
• Proven track record delivering technically complex projects.
• Experience leading and growing engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Fire Protection Engineering team in New York.
• Provide senior technical leadership on complex projects.
• Lead Fire Protection design from concept to delivery and ensure quality.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Team development

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

I’m Hiring!

Principal Fire Engineer — Team Lead

New York, NY

$200,000 — $250,000 bonus benefits

A rare opportunity to lead and build a Fire Protection Engineering team in New York

I’m currently working with a leading international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy that is looking to appoint an exceptional Principal Fire Protection Engineer / Team Lead to help build and grow its Fire Protection capability in New York.

This is a senior leadership appointment for someone who wants to do more than deliver projects.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the local Fire Protection offering, develop a team, build client relationships, identify new opportunities and play a significant role in growing the business across New York and the wider US market.

The package reflects the level of individual being sought, with a base salary of $200,000–$250,000 plus bonus and benefits.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an established international consultancy and take a leading role in developing its Fire Protection presence in New York.

You will combine:

Technical leadership team leadership client relationships business development commercial awareness.

We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced US-based Fire Protection professionals with established New York / Northeast market knowledge.

You should understand the local consulting market, know the key players and have the credibility and relationships to help develop new opportunities.

This isn’t simply about inheriting an existing client portfolio.

It’s about building something.

Your Role

As Principal Fire Protection Engineer / Team Lead, you will:

• Lead and develop the Fire Protection Engineering team in New York.
• Provide senior technical leadership on complex and high-profile projects.
• Lead Fire Protection and Fire & Life Safety design from concept through to completion.
• Take responsibility for technical quality, project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Mentor, develop and recruit engineers as the local team grows.
• Develop strong relationships with clients, developers, architects and other industry stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across New York and the wider Northeast market.
• Lead or support proposals, fee development and commercial negotiations.
• Develop existing client accounts and generate repeat business.
• Maintain an active project and business development pipeline.
• Understand project scope, fees, budgets and commercial performance.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams across the US and internationally.
• Represent the Fire Protection discipline at senior client and design meetings.
• Build the profile and reputation of the Fire Protection team within the New York market.
• Participate in industry events, professional organisations and networking opportunities.
• Help establish the strategy and direction of the growing Fire Protection business.

About You

We’re looking for an exceptional Fire Protection professional who has reached Principal, Associate Principal, Director or equivalent level and is ready to take significant responsibility for the development of a local business.

Ideally, you will bring:

• 15–20 years’ experience within Fire Protection / Fire & Life Safety Engineering.
• Extensive US consultancy experience.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) licence.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA, IBC and applicable US fire and life safety codes.
• Strong understanding of the New York / Northeast US construction market.
• A proven track record delivering technically complex projects.
• Previous experience leading and developing engineering teams.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills.
• Demonstrable business development experience.
• Existing relationships with clients, architects, developers or other key industry stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness, including project fees, scope, resources and profitability.
• The ability to identify opportunities and convert relationships into work.
• The credibility to operate at senior level with clients and project stakeholders.

Local Market Knowledge Is Important

For this particular appointment, New York market knowledge is highly desirable.

We’re looking for someone who already understands the market and has an established network across the local construction and engineering community.

That could include relationships with:

• Developers
• Architects
• Real estate organisations
• Contractors
• Engineering consultancies
• Building owners and operators
• Authorities and industry bodies

If you already have a strong network across New York and the wider Northeast, that will be a significant advantage.

Why Consider It?

The opportunity here is considerably broader than a traditional Principal Fire Protection position.

You’ll have the chance to help shape the New York Fire Protection business from an early stage, influence the team structure, develop people, build relationships and contribute directly to growth.

You’ll also have the backing of an established international multidisciplinary consultancy, giving you access to expertise across engineering, architecture, sustainability and specialist disciplines.

You’ll work on technically challenging projects across the US and internationally, while having genuine influence over the development of the local Fire Protection offering.

The Package

$200,000 — $250,000 base salary

Plus bonus and comprehensive benefits.

The upper end of the package is available for an exceptional candidate with the technical, leadership and commercial credentials to make a significant impact on the New York business.