Lead Fire Engineer

Principal People Recruitment
We are working with a leading organisation in the built environment sector to appoint a Lead Fire Engineer. This is a permanent senior-level position offering national project exposure, flexible working and the opportunity to influence fire safety delivery across a wide portfolio of regeneration, retrofit and new build programmes.

The successful individual will lead on the development of fire strategies, provide technical input across multi-disciplinary teams and ensure that fire safety is embedded throughout the design and construction process. The role is suited to someone with strong technical credibility and the ability to operate independently while contributing to wider project and business goals.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of project-specific fire strategies across all RIBA design stages, ensuring alignment with UK Building Regulations, BS 9999, BS 7974 and other relevant guidance
• Provide specialist input on active and passive fire protection, compartmentation, smoke control, means of escape and structural fire resistance
• Collaborate with internal design teams and external stakeholders to ensure fire safety is fully integrated within coordinated design solutions
• Review and approve fire-related documentation including risk assessments, technical reports and contractor submittals
• Provide technical assurance during construction and commissioning, including oversight of installation and system testing
• Support post-occupancy fire safety reviews and contribute to overall building safety planning and continuous improvement
• Ensure fire safety considerations are integrated within digital design workflows, including BIM coordination and record management
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fire safety regulations, emerging best practice and relevant technical developments
• Contribute to technical input for proposals and bid submissions when required

Candidate requirements

• Degree-qualified in Fire Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered Engineer or Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, or working towards
• Experience delivering fire engineering input across Construction, housing projects or similar.
• Strong working knowledge of UK fire legislation and design standards
• Ability to lead fire safety across the project lifecycle and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

What is on offer

• Basic salary from £85,000 to £100,000 depending on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Life cover at three times salary
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Flexible hybrid working with base offices in Birmingham or London
• Access to a broad range of wellbeing, discount and lifestyle benefits
• Ongoing CPD support and structured development opportunities

Why this role

• This is a high-impact opportunity to lead on fire safety across projects with long-term value to communities. The organisation is in the process of building in-house capability and raising delivery standards across a national portfolio of regeneration, retrofit and housing programmes.
• The position offers strategic input, operational autonomy and a collaborative working environment. It is well suited to someone looking to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to how building safety is managed and delivered across the UK.

Location

• Hybrid role with flexibility across home, site and office.
• Base offices in Birmingham or London.
• Occasional national travel as required.

Next steps
Apply today for a confidential conversation.