Principal Fire Engineer

The Keegans Group is looking for a Principal Fire Engineer to join the Compliance and Safety Team. This senior role has technical authority, leadership responsibility, and a strong client‑facing focus. You will be leading the delivery of fire engineering services, shaping strategy and mentoring engineers across the business. This full‑time permanent position is based in Central London, reporting to the Director of Compliance and Safety and collaborating with other members of the C&S Division.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical leadership on complex fire engineering projects, acting as the principal point of contact for internal teams and external clients.
• Leading and contributing to project meetings and workshops, delivering authoritative fire safety advice and influencing key design and compliance decisions.
• Reviewing and approving design information, including drawings, specifications, and stage reports, ensuring robust and compliant fire safety solutions.
• Authoring, reviewing, and signing off fire safety strategies, technical reports, and guidance notes for new and existing buildings.
• Leading qualitative and quantitative fire risk assessments and presenting outcomes to senior stakeholders and clients.
• Undertaking and overseeing PAS 9980 External Wall assessments, including peer review and technical assurance.
• Driving research into emerging fire safety risks, new technologies, materials, and regulatory change, translating findings into practical guidance and best practice.
• Acting as a technical mentor to Fire Engineers and Senior Fire Engineers, supporting development, capability building, and professional progression.
• Contributing to and maintaining internal standards, best practice documentation, and quality assurance processes.
• Supporting business development through proposal generation, scope definition, and fee negotiation for fire engineering and research services.
• Delivering CPD sessions, technical briefings, and Group Knowledge Café presentations.
• Managing project delivery, fees, forecasting, and performance using the Deltek project management system.
• Supporting the Director of Compliance and Safety with strategic planning, technical governance, and growth of the fire engineering function.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant degree and/or master’s degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering or a related construction/engineering discipline.
• Chartered professional membership (or working towards) with RICS, CABE, IFE or IFSM.
• Extensive experience in fire engineering, including leading complex, high‑risk or high‑profile projects.
• Strong knowledge of façade fire engineering and external wall systems (desirable).
• Advanced experience with BIM, AutoCAD or similar design and review tools.
• Experience in CFD‑based modelling and quantitative analysis, including FDS or equivalent software.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK fire safety legislation and guidance, including Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act, BS 9991, BS 9999 and PAS 9980.
• Proven ability to manage workload, priorities and competing deadlines across multiple projects.
• Demonstrable leadership, mentoring and stakeholder management experience.
• Actively working towards or holding Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with the Engineering Council via the IFE (desirable).

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