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, pension, health benefits, and 25 holidays.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and long-term career security.
- Why this job: Make a real impact 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.
Location: London (up to £83,500) or Birmingham (up to £77,500). Hybrid Working (3 days in the office). Salary: £75,000 – £83,500 + 12% Pension + Health + 25 Holidays.
Progression: Lead Fire Engineer (£92k – £100k+ Package).
Major Infrastructure Programme | Long-Term Career Security.
This is a rare opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd within the Chief Engineer directorate, taking a senior technical role with 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 Birmingham employer: Energy Jobline ZR
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 long-term career security and the ability to make a meaningful impact in a complex multidisciplinary setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 in Birmingham
✨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, you want to show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your previous work in fire engineering, especially any projects related to rail or major infrastructure. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Fire Engineer - HS2 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Fire Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in fire engineering, especially in major infrastructure projects like rail systems or tunnels. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 you can contribute to HS2. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, don’t shy away from showcasing your technical knowledge. Discuss your understanding of fire engineering standards, life safety strategies, and any experience you have with design reviews or risk assessments. We love seeing candidates who know their stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline ZR
✨Know Your Fire Engineering Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your fire engineering principles, especially those related to rail systems and infrastructure. Be ready to discuss your understanding of evacuation strategies, compartmentation, and life safety systems, as these will be crucial in the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams. This role requires strong coordination, so think of situations where you've successfully navigated complex interactions and ensured alignment among various parties.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HS2's Vision
Research High Speed Two Ltd and understand their mission and the significance of the HS2 project. Being able to articulate how your skills align with their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Assurance Discussions
Since this position involves overseeing technical assurance, be ready to discuss your approach to reviewing designs and ensuring compliance with fire engineering standards. Think about specific challenges you've faced in past projects and how you overcame them.
