Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls
Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls

Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Jensen Hughes

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative façade engineering projects and provide expert consultancy on fire safety.
  • Company: Join a global leader in fire protection engineering with a strong commitment to safety.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, private medical insurance, and 33 days of paid time off.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a culture that values professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and security while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Architecture; experience in façade engineering preferred.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

Company Overview

Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk‑based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more. Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry‑leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.

At Jensen Hughes we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization. Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they’re passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.

Job Overview

Role can be based in either London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, or Edinburgh. Jensen Hughes is a company fiercely committed to our purpose, our clients, and each other. Every single member of our team is essential to our success. Due to the continued growth and success of our External Walls and Facades team, we have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Engineer to join our market‑leading UK team. As a Principal Engineer, you will provide advanced technical delivery and project leadership across façade engineering and external wall fire consultancy services, you will be responsible for exercising independent engineering judgement on complex projects, leading technical workstreams, and ensuring that deliverables are technically robust, proportionate, and defensible. You will be a senior technical contributor within project teams, support quality assurance and peer review processes, mentor developing engineers, and contribute to maintaining Jensen Hughes’ reputation for high‑quality, risk‑based advice.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical delivery on façade and external wall projects of moderate to high complexity.
  • Exercise independent engineering judgement in relation to façade systems, fire performance, remediation strategies, and compliance pathways.
  • Prepare and oversee the preparation of external wall fire assessment reports (e.g. PAS 9980 appraisals), façade engineering reports, and technical notes.
  • Review façade build‑ups, materials, fire stopping provisions, cavity barriers, and remediation proposals.
  • Assess test evidence, classification reports, product certifications, and desktop studies.
  • Identify technical risks and develop proportionate mitigation strategies.
  • Act as day‑to‑day technical lead on allocated projects.
  • Lead technical discussions with clients, architects, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams.
  • Provide clear, structured technical advice aligned with legislation, statutory guidance, and industry standards.

What We Expect From You

  • Operate with increasing independence in technical judgement.
  • Demonstrate commercial awareness in project delivery.
  • Show readiness to transition toward associate‑level leadership responsibilities.
  • Build recognised technical credibility internally and externally.
  • Contribute to strengthening Jensen Hughes’ façade and external wall capability.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Degree qualified in Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent demonstrable experience).
  • Chartered or actively working towards chartership (strongly preferred).
  • Significant experience in façade engineering and/or external wall fire consultancy.
  • Strong understanding of façade systems, construction methods, and performance requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical workstreams independently.
  • Experience in preparing and reviewing PAS 9980 appraisals or similar risk‑based assessments.
  • Strong report writing capability and structured technical reasoning.
  • Experience mentoring junior engineers.
  • Clear communication skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Our People Are Our Greatest Asset

At Jensen Hughes, we know that our people are the foundation of our success. To attract and retain the best talent, we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work‑life balance, and professional growth.

UK and Ireland Benefits

  • Private medical insurance
  • 33 days paid time off with an additional day after 3 years
  • Industry‑leading contributory pension scheme
  • 4Ă— life assurance
  • Income protection scheme
  • Discretionary bonus scheme
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Enhanced parental‑related pay
  • Recognition and reward programmes to celebrate team efforts
  • Access to extensive technical training and resources

Supporting Your Work‑Life Balance

We understand the importance of flexibility and balance. We’re happy to discuss hybrid, part‑time, and flexible working arrangements to suit both you and the business. We also offer:

  • Flexible working hours and patterns including early Friday finish
  • Flexible holiday use over Christmas/New Year
  • Enhanced holiday entitlement after three years
  • The option to carry over up to five unused holiday days into the next year

A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Our benefits represent a meaningful investment in both our people and the future of Jensen Hughes. We regularly review our benefits programme to ensure it aligns with statutory requirements, market trends, and the needs of our team. Any modifications will be carefully considered to support our employees and the company’s long‑term goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Jensen Hughes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls employer: Jensen Hughes

At Jensen Hughes, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our employees. With a competitive benefits package, including private medical insurance, generous paid time off, and flexible working arrangements, we empower our team to achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects in fire protection engineering. Our commitment to continuous improvement and employee development ensures that every member of our team has the opportunity to thrive and make a significant impact in their field.
Jensen Hughes

Contact Detail:

Jensen Hughes Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent achievements, especially in fire protection engineering. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your technical skills and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Be prepared to explain your engineering judgement and how you've tackled complex challenges in façade engineering or external wall consultancy.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Jensen Hughes and contributing to our mission of making the world safer.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls

Façade Engineering
External Wall Fire Consultancy
Independent Engineering Judgement
Technical Delivery
Risk-Based Assessments (e.g. PAS 9980)
Report Writing
Technical Reasoning
Mentoring Junior Engineers
Communication Skills
Understanding of Construction Methods
Performance Requirements Analysis
Client Engagement
Project Leadership
Technical Credibility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience in façade engineering and external wall fire consultancy, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've led!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Include specific examples of your work with façade systems, fire performance assessments, and any reports you've prepared. This is your chance to shine!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use structured reasoning in your reports and ensure your communication is easy to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Jensen Hughes.

How to prepare for a job interview at Jensen Hughes

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of façade engineering and external wall fire consultancy. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead technical discussions and mentor junior engineers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, and be ready to explain your approach to fostering collaboration and growth within your team.

✨Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Jensen Hughes' commitment to trust, integrity, and professional growth. Think about how your values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their culture of connectedness and support for career development.

✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the role, the team, and the company’s future projects. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you. Ask about their approach to risk mitigation or how they stay ahead in industry standards.

Principal Engineer - Facades / External Walls
Jensen Hughes

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