At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop fire strategies and manage projects across diverse sectors.
- Company: Dynamic fire engineering consultancy with a focus on innovation and mentorship.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, training budget, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Join a tight-knit team with a strong culture and exciting growth plans.
- Why this job: Shape your fire engineering career with real responsibility and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Degree in fire engineering or related field, plus 2-4 years of experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid — 2–3 days in office)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience + benefits package
Hours: Full-time, flexible working
Around half a decade ago, this fire engineering consultancy was a handful of engineers with a shared frustration: too many fire safety careers are built on rigid hierarchies, endless overtime, and compliance-box-ticking rather than genuine engineering judgement. So they decided to build something different. Today that team has grown nearly fourfold, split across two fast-scaling offices, with plans to open in further UK cities and launch further divisions in the coming months. Working out of Manchester allows exposure to a genuinely varied stock of high-profile, complex projects. With growth still very much underway, it's the kind of environment where a capable engineer can carve out a specialism and take on real responsibility early, rather than waiting years for a seat to open up.
The role involves joining a technically strong team delivering fire strategies across residential, commercial, heritage, healthcare and sports-ground projects. You will work through the full lifecycle from concept design and code-compliance strategies through to performance-based solutions, site inspections, and computational modelling. You’ll be mentored day-to-day by Chartered Fire Engineers, with genuine investment in getting you to chartership, not just a box on a training matrix.
What You’ll Actually Be Doing:
- Developing fire strategies using both prescriptive and performance-based approaches across a genuinely varied sector mix
- Producing clear technical reports: assumptions, basis of design, methodology, recommendations
- Getting out on site for inspections, not just sat behind a desk
- Managing your own projects, deadlines and budgets as your confidence grows
- Working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with structured CPD support
- Supporting junior and graduate engineers as you progress — this is a team that mentors up and down, not just top-down
- Staying close to industry developments and contributing to internal knowledge-sharing, and in time, external publications and conference contributions
What we’re looking for:
- A BSc, BEng or higher in fire engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- 2-4 years' fire engineering experience
- Strong numerical and problem-solving ability, and a genuine interest in performance-based design rather than just prescriptive compliance
- Comfortable working across a multidisciplinary project team
- AIFireE (Associate, Institution of Fire Engineers) desirable but not essential
What you’ll get:
- Hybrid working — typically 2–3 days in the office, with genuine flexibility around how that works for you
- A real training budget — a dedicated annual training allowance per person, plus a personal growth plan agreed directly with your line manager, not a generic CPD checklist
- One of the best holiday/working splits in the industry, scaling with your experience
- Company bonus scheme, enhanced pension, life assurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Professional membership subscriptions paid for you
- An operations team behind the scenes handling the admin, travel and training logistics, so you can focus on the engineering
- Regular company social events and a genuinely tight-knit, growing team culture
Why now:
Joining a business at this stage of its growth is rare — you get the technical rigour and mentorship of an established practice with the pace, autonomy and career runway of a business that's still being built. If you want to shape a fire engineering career on your own terms rather than fit into someone else’s mould, this is a great time to get onboard.
Fire Engineer in Manchester employer: 1st Select Ltd
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Graduate M&E Surveyor, where you will gain invaluable experience in the built environment sector while working on impactful projects within healthcare and education. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth, offering structured training and mentoring to help you achieve Chartered status and advance your career. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a unique opportunity to engage with diverse clients and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance community infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fire Engineer in Manchester
✨Get Involved with Local Fire Services
Join community groups or volunteer with local fire departments to get a foot in the door. It’s a great way to showcase your commitment to fire safety and emergency services while also making valuable connections in the field.
✨Attend Firefighting Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for firefighting job fairs and emergency services recruiting events in your area. These are goldmines for meeting staff from companies like 1st Select Ltd and other emergency services, giving you a chance to chat and make a lasting impression.
✨Connect with Industry Professionals Online
Utilise platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn to find fire service groups and forums. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can elevate your profile and help us to learn from those already in the field, potentially leading to job openings.
✨Keep Your Training Up-to-Date
Make sure your qualifications are current! Pursuing additional training, like first aid or specialised firefighting courses, shows your dedication and might just set you apart from the crowd when applying for roles at 1st Select Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Fire Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commitment to Safety:In the fire and emergency services sector, it's crucial to showcase your understanding of safety protocols and emergency response challenges. Mention any relevant training or certifications you've completed, like First Aid or Fire Safety courses, and highlight your commitment to public safety in your cover letter.
Highlight Your Teamwork Skills:This field is all about collaboration! Make sure your CV emphasises your ability to work in a team under pressure. Detail examples of teamwork from previous roles, volunteer work or community involvement. Hiring managers at 1st Select Ltd will love to see how you thrive in a group dynamic.
Detail Your Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, don't just mention your job titles – dig into your responsibilities and achievements that relate specifically to fire and emergency services. Include any volunteer work, internships, or projects that display your hands-on experience in this field, especially if you're transitioning from another area.
Craft a Strong Motivation Statement:As you're applying for a full-time role, it’s key to articulate why you want to join 1st Select Ltd specifically. Dive into your motivation for working in fire services, and how this aligns with your career goals. We want to see your passion for contributing to the community and the impact you wish to make!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Select Ltd
✨Know Your Emergency Protocols
Since you're eyeing a role in fire emergency services, brush up on the latest firefighting techniques and protocols. Understanding the fundamentals of fire behaviour, rescue operations, and safety measures will show that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the field.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect situational questions that test your ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure scenarios. Think of examples from your previous experiences or training where you had to think on your feet—this will really highlight your suitability for the role and show that you can handle real emergencies.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Community Engagement
Fire emergency services rely heavily on teamwork, so come prepared to discuss how you've worked with others in stressful situations. Additionally, showcase any community involvement or outreach you've done—it's a great way to demonstrate your commitment to public safety and your understanding of community dynamics.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Training
Make sure you’re ready to talk about any relevant training or certifications you have. Whether it’s emergency response training or a first aid qualification, make it clear how these experiences prepare you for a full-time position in fire emergency services with 1st Select Ltd. It shows you’re proactive about your professional development!
