Fire Alarm Design and Estimating Engineer

Pear Tree.; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 201,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Pear Tree. is seeking a Fire & Security Estimating Coordinator to design compliant fire alarm and security system layouts from architectural drawings and site data.

This desk-based role focuses on accurate quantity takeoffs, labor estimates, and client quotations. You will coordinate with engineers and clients, review vendor pricing, and help ensure proposals meet target margins while aligning with BS standards and manufacturer guidelines.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year dedicated experience designing fire alarm systems to industry standards.
• Experience in fire and security system estimating and desktop surveying.
• Strong knowledge of fire detection systems and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design compliant fire alarm and security system layouts from architectural drawings and site data.
• Analyze floor plans, survey notes, photos, and videos to define scope and constraints.
• Estimate quantities, labor, cable runs, and equipment for proposals.
• Prepare material lists, labor estimates, and client quotations while targeting margins.
• Obtain current vendor pricing to optimize costs and update quotes.
• Identify opportunities to upgrade or modernize installations during design reviews.
• Translate engineering findings into clear client quotes and drawings.
• Coordinate with engineers, project teams, and clients, arranging site visits when needed.
• Ensure compliance with BS standards and equipment guidelines.

Skills

Fire design

Estimating

Technical surveying

Drawing literacy

Tools

CAD

Bluebeam

Job description

Position: Fire & Security Estimating Coordinator

Working Hours: Observing UK business hours

Holidays: Observing UK public holidays

Work Set-up: 100% Remote work under an Independent Contractor Agreement

Target Start Date: ASAP

Our client is a premier life safety and security specialist dedicated to protecting commercial, industrial, and residential properties. In this technical desk-based role, you will analyze architectural floor plans, site videos, and survey data to design fully compliant fire alarm and electronic security solutions. Your expertise in fire system layout and precision estimating will directly shape high-value project proposals and drive operational success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design Compliant Systems: Produce accurate layout proposals and equipment specifications for fire alarm systems based on architectural scale drawings and site survey intelligence.
• Analyze Site Media: Review floor plans, site survey notes, photos, and video footage to establish precise spatial constraints and installation scopes.
• Calculate Quantities & Labor: Estimate cable runs, device counts, power supply units, and labor requirements using remote desktop analysis.
• Prepare Commercial Proposals: Formulate itemized material lists, labor estimates, and accurate client-facing quotations while securing target profit margins.
• Manage Vendor Pricing: Obtain up-to-date component pricing from suppliers to optimize material costs and update quote records.
• Identify System Upgrades: Highlight opportunities to modernize legacy installations or add integrated security infrastructure during design reviews.
• Translate Engineering Findings: Convert complex field engineer notes and inspection logs into clear, actionable client quotes.
• Coordinate Stakeholders: Liaise with installation engineers, project teams, and client representatives to clarify technical ambiguities or arrange physical site visits when required.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Maintain full alignment with relevant manufacturer guidelines and British Standards (BS 5839, BS 5266, BS 7858, EN 50131/PD 6662).
• Support Field Operations: Provide technical guidance and design clarity to internal Service and Operations teams.

Salary: 18,000 - 20,000/mo ZAR

Requirements

• Fire Design Experience: Minimum of 1 year dedicated experience designing fire alarm systems to industry standards.
• Industry Background: Proven background in system estimating, technical desktop surveying, or design within the Fire and Security sector.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of fire detection systems, alongside familiarity with intruder alarms, IP CCTV, and access control.
• Drawing & Plan Literacy: Highly skilled at reading scale architectural drawings, schematic diagrams, and taking digital measurements.
• Standards Familiarity: Solid understanding of key British Standards governing fire safety installations (specifically BS 5839).
• Commercial Skills: Demonstrated ability to calculate unit margins, project costs, and produce accurate formal quotations.

Preferred Skills: (Nice-to-Haves)

• Field Background: Previous hands-on experience as an installation or service engineer.
• Digital Tools: Experience using CAD or PDF markup tools (e.g., Bluebeam) for digital takeoffs.
• Vendor Knowledge: Familiarity with major industry brands (e.g., Texecom, Hikvision, Paxton, C-TEC, Ajax, EMS Smartcell, Pyronix).