Keegans Group are looking for a Principal Fire Engineer to join our Compliance and Safety Team. The role is senior, with technical authority, leadership responsibility, and a strong client‑facing focus. You’ll lead the delivery of fire engineering services, shape strategy, and mentor engineers.
This role reports to the Director of Compliance and Safety and requires close collaboration with other members of the C&S Division.
The position is full‑time/permanent, preferably based in London but open nationwide.
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, 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).
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.
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