At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fire safety design and assurance for major rail infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, a key player in UK infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, health benefits, and career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role with long-term career security and influence across engineering teams.
- 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 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
What We’re Looking For
- 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.
The Opportunity
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 railway for decades to come.
Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 in NW1, Camden Area, Greater London employer: Energy Jobline CVL
High Speed Two Ltd offers an exceptional work environment for Principal Fire Engineers, providing a unique opportunity to influence fire safety on one of Europe’s largest infrastructure programmes. With a strong focus on employee growth, a flexible hybrid working culture, and the chance to take ownership of significant assets, this role promises not only career advancement but also a meaningful impact on the future of rail infrastructure in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 in NW1, Camden Area, Greater London
✨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
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with complex fire engineering designs and your understanding of life safety systems. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical knowledge and current trends in fire safety and infrastructure. Be ready to discuss how you would approach challenges in a multidisciplinary environment, especially regarding integration and assurance across various systems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at HS2.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 in NW1, Camden Area, Greater London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match 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 aligns with our needs at HS2. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical knowledge in fire engineering standards and life safety systems. We want to see how you can assure designs and assets comply with regulations, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline CVL
✨Know Your Fire Engineering Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your fire engineering principles, especially those related to rail systems and major infrastructure projects. Be ready to discuss your understanding of evacuation strategies, compartmentation, and life safety systems, as these will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams. This role requires strong coordination capabilities, so think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex environments and ensured effective communication between different parties.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HS2's Vision
Research High Speed Two Ltd and understand their goals, particularly around fire safety and infrastructure development. Being able to articulate how your values align with their mission will show your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Technical Assurance Discussions
Since this position involves overseeing and assuring designs, be ready to discuss your approach to technical assurance and design reviews. Think about how you would handle challenges during the transition from heavy civils to MEP fit-out, and be prepared to share your insights on maintaining fire engineering standards.
