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- Tasks: Lead fire safety design and assurance for major rail infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, a key player in national infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, hybrid working, and 25 holidays.
- Other info: Long-term career security with excellent progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape fire safety on one of Europe’s largest infrastructure programmes.
- Qualifications: Degree in Fire Engineering or related field; experience in major infrastructure projects.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 83500 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd within the Chief Engineer directorate, taking a senior technical role with real ownership and autonomy across one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure programmes.
Working client-side within a specialist Fire Engineering team, you will assure the fire safety design of major rail infrastructure including stations, tunnels, shafts, depots, rail systems, and civils assets across the HS2 network. You will take ownership of major assets such as Curzon Street Station (£570m) and Interchange Station (£370m).
This is not a traditional consultancy delivery role. You will act as a technical authority overseeing and assuring the work of Tier 1 contractors and design consultancies, ensuring designs and completed assets comply with fire engineering standards, legislation, and operational requirements across a multi-billion-pound railway. With core standards already established, the role now focuses heavily on technical assurance, systems integration, design review, and testing & commissioning.
Why This Role Stands Out- Client-side technical authority role on a nationally significant programme
- Real ownership of assets throughout the project lifecycle
- Influence fire engineering across stations, tunnels, depots, and rail systems
- Work within a highly experienced specialist Fire Engineering team
- High visibility across engineering, delivery, and operational stakeholders
- Complex multidisciplinary environment involving civils, MEP, rail systems, and operations
- Long-term programme security with major delivery and commissioning phases ahead
- Strong work-life balance and flexible hybrid working culture
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Fire Engineering, you will provide technical leadership and assurance across fire engineering design, construction, and commissioning activities. A major challenge within the programme is the transition from heavy civils into MEP fit-out and rail systems delivery. As new contractors mobilise, the number of Tier 1 interfaces across the programme is significantly increasing, creating a highly complex integrated environment. You will sit at the centre of this transition, ensuring fire engineering standards, life safety strategies, and technical assurance remain coordinated across all assets and systems.
Key Responsibilities- Assure fire engineering designs & built assets across stations, tunnels, depots, rail systems, and infrastructure assets
- Review contractor fire strategies, technical submissions, and safety documentation
- Support fire standards, specifications, and technical assurance activities
- Ensure integration between fire systems and wider rail infrastructure systems
- Support Qualitative Design Reviews (QDRs), risk assessments, and operational readiness
- Liaise with Fire & Rescue Services and support emergency planning activities
- Support testing, commissioning, and assurance of completed assets
- Participate in site inspections and live construction assurance reviews
- Degree qualified or Chartered Fire Engineer (or working toward Chartership)
- Experience within rail, tunnels, stations, heavy civils, rail systems, or major infrastructure projects
- Strong understanding of evacuation, compartmentation, detection, suppression, and life safety systems
- Experience reviewing or assuring complex fire engineering designs
- Strong stakeholder management and multidisciplinary coordination capability
Open to candidates from client-side, consultancy, or contractor backgrounds.
This is a career-defining opportunity for a Fire Engineer wanting to move beyond pure design delivery into a strategic client-side role with genuine ownership and influence across one of Europe’s largest infrastructure programmes. You will help shape how fire safety is assured, integrated, tested, and ultimately operated across a transformational national railway for decades to come.
Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 employer: Charlton Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Charlton Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Fire Engineer - HS2
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, especially those in fire engineering or infrastructure projects. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into HS2 and its fire safety standards. Familiarise yourself with their projects and challenges. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re someone who understands their mission and is ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job openings, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and stay updated on any new opportunities that pop up.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Fire Engineer - HS2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Principal Fire Engineer role. Highlight your experience in fire engineering, especially in rail or major infrastructure projects, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about fire safety and how your background makes you a great candidate for this role. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale projects like HS2.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, be sure to highlight your technical knowledge and experience with fire engineering standards and systems integration. We want to see how you can assure designs and assets comply with regulations and operational requirements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charlton Recruitment
✨Know Your Fire Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your fire engineering knowledge, especially around evacuation strategies, compartmentation, and life safety systems. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to major infrastructure projects like HS2.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholders in complex environments. This role requires strong coordination across various teams, so highlight your experience in liaising with different parties, including contractors and emergency services.
✨Understand the Project Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the project lifecycle of major infrastructure programmes. Be prepared to discuss how you would assure fire safety from design through to construction and commissioning, particularly in a multidisciplinary setting.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come armed with questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the challenges they face during the transition from civils to MEP fit-out, or how they ensure integration between fire systems and rail infrastructure. This shows you're thinking critically about the role.