Senior Fire Safety Engineer

Overview

Shape the Fire Safety Strategies Behind the UK’s Most Complex Engineering Projects. Join a specialist team at the forefront of fire engineering within some of the nation’s most challenging technical environments. This role offers the opportunity to influence major infrastructure projects, contribute to safety critical decisions and develop deep, first principles engineering expertise within a collaborative and highly respected consultancy.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Senior Fire Safety Engineer, you will be central to the delivery of rigorous, technically assured fire safety strategies and fire hazard analysis across a diverse range of sectors, with a significant focus on nuclear and other high hazard environments. You will shape fire safety considerations from the earliest design stages, reviewing building layouts, advising multidisciplinary design teams and guiding complex projects towards compliant, resilient and well engineered solutions. Working with architects, regulators and technical specialists, you will help define the fire protection requirements that underpin the design of some of the UK’s most strategically important buildings.

You will independently manage and deliver mid sized projects while supporting larger, multidisciplinary projects. Much of the team’s work involves first principles fire engineering, advanced modelling and bespoke analytical methods where prescriptive guidance is limited, offering genuine opportunities to apply technical judgement. Around three quarters of the team’s portfolio sits within the nuclear sector, including major new build schemes on licensed sites and fire hazard assessments for legacy facilities with complex constraints. Project values range from focused commissions through to multifaceted projects of national significance, providing both breadth and depth of technical exposure.

Your Impact in This Position

From your first year, you will contribute to technically demanding and innovative fire engineering work where standard solutions are rarely available. Your insights will directly influence design decisions that affect safety, operability and regulatory alignment across some of the UK’s highest profile engineering projects.

As your experience grows, you will take on increased technical responsibility, contribute to regulatory strategy and help shape the fire engineering approach across complex design challenges. Over time, you will build rare expertise spanning both conventional and high hazard contexts, supported by a structured progression pathway linked to technical capability, leadership potential and professional accreditation. Whether your ambitions lie in deep technical specialist or future leadership roles, you will find sustained opportunities for growth within a consultancy known for its technical excellence, collaborative ethos and trust in professional judgement.

Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech RPS

At Tetra Tech RPS we recruit using core capabilities – the toolkit of essential skills, experience, competencies, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals that meet a benchmark level of expertise. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Fire Safety Engineering Expertise

Central to the role is the thoughtful application of fire engineering principles to establish clear, compliant and technically robust fire safety strategies from early design through to completion. This includes undertaking site assessments, evaluating fire hazards and applying proportionate analytical methods supported by senior colleagues where needed. A strong grasp of relevant codes, including Approved Document B, BS 9999, BS 9991 and PD 7974, will underpin your work, with opportunities to deepen your skills in fire modelling tools such as CFAST and FDS. The role calls for clear engineering judgement, analytical thinking and the ability to contribute effectively within multidisciplinary design environments.

Stakeholder Engagement

You will work closely with clients, architects, design teams and regulatory bodies to ensure that fire safety requirements are understood, integrated and consistently addressed throughout the project lifecycle. Your ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and constructively will support efficient design development, informed decision making and the timely resolution of technical challenges. Regular client interaction, including participation in meetings and site assessments, forms a key part of the role.

Technical Report Writing

The individual will produce clear, structured and technically robust fire engineering reports that translate detailed analysis into practical and deliverable design requirements. Much of the role is design focused and requires strong attention to detail, precision in written communication and the ability to present engineering conclusions in a manner tailored to clients, designers and regulators. You will also help refine and assure the work of junior colleagues, contributing to high standards of technical quality and consistency across the team.

Proposals and Project Management

Delivering technically informed proposals forms an integral part of the role, requiring clear scope definition, active client engagement and the preparation of fee submissions that are aligned with project complexity and commercial expectations. Once instructed, you will lead delivery from initiation through to completion, managing resources, coordinating inputs, overseeing quality and maintaining strong client relationships. The role demands organised, confident project oversight and the ability to balance technical excellence with practical commercial awareness.

Leadership and Mentoring

You will play an active role in supporting and developing junior engineers, providing guidance, technical feedback and structured review of their work. Collaboration with specialised teams across nuclear safety, human factors and process engineering will broaden your exposure and contribute to integrated solutions on complex, multidisciplinary projects. Your leadership will help cultivate a supportive, capable and high performing team environment.

Training, Qualifications And Experience

You will bring practical experience in fire engineering and a proven track record of developing, designing and authoring fire safety strategies and associated technical documentation. Strong communication skills, understanding of relevant legislation and working familiarity with analytical tools and fire engineering methodologies are essential. Experience engaging with stakeholders and regulators is essential.

Working Environment

This role operates within a flexible working model designed to balance collaboration, autonomy and high technical performance. You will typically divide your time between home working and office based tasks, with site visits forming a small proportion of your schedule. Hybrid and flexible arrangements are supported to enable effective project delivery and engagement with colleagues and clients. Work is UK based, with nuclear sites generally requiring travel of no more than two hours and other project locations varying accordingly. No international travel is required.

Rewarding Your Expertise

At Tetra Tech RPS Consulting, we aim to offer a competitive market-rate salary aligned with the level and responsibilities of each role. Our total reward package is designed to reflect the seniority and impact of the position and includes a range of attractive benefits that support your professional growth and personal wellbeing.

Submit your application today and discover what’s possible at Tetra Tech RPS Consulting.

Tetra Tech RPS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and supportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their ideas and contribute meaningfully. We are dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people are valued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

The office at Birchwood Park, offers a modern workspace with complimentary on-site parking and access to a fully equipped gym. We place a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing. The team enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere, with regular social activities such as walking trips, five-a-side football, Macmillan coffee mornings, and a monthly photo competition. Our West Cumbria team is based in a Georgian building on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Beyond the office, the team enjoys a vibrant social culture with regular events, outdoor challenges and scenic walks by the lakes. It’s a unique opportunity to combine a rewarding career with access to one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes, fostering both professional growth and a healthy work-life balance.

Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.