At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fire engineering projects, providing expert advice and mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Join The Keegans Group, a leader in compliance and safety.
- Benefits: Permanent role with competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on fire safety and influence key design decisions.
- Qualifications: Degree in Fire Engineering or related field; extensive fire engineering experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for nationwide applicants.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Keegans Group is looking for a senior, client‑facing Principal Fire Engineer within the Compliance and Safety team. The role reports to the Director of Compliance and Safety and focuses on lead delivery, strategy, and mentoring. Preference is for London candidates, but applications nationwide are welcome.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Providing technical leadership on complex fire engineering projects, acting as the principal point of contact for internal teams and external clients.
- Leading and contributing to project meetings and workshops, delivering authoritative fire safety advice and influencing key design and compliance decisions.
- Reviewing and approving design information, including drawings, specifications, and stage reports, ensuring robust, compliant fire safety solutions.
- Authoring, reviewing, and signing off fire safety strategies, technical reports, and guidance notes for new and existing buildings.
- Leading qualitative and quantitative fire risk assessments and presenting outcomes to senior stakeholders and clients.
- Undertaking and overseeing PAS 9980 External Wall assessments, including peer review and technical assurance.
- Driving research into emerging fire safety risks, new technologies, materials, and regulatory change, translating findings into practical guidance and best practice.
- Acting as a technical mentor to Fire Engineers and Senior Fire Engineers, supporting development, capability building, and professional progression.
- Contributing to and maintaining internal standards, best practice documentation, and quality assurance processes.
- Supporting business development through proposal generation, scope definition, and fee negotiation for fire engineering and research services.
- Delivering CPD sessions, technical briefings, and Group Knowledge Café presentations.
- Managing project delivery, fees, forecasting, and performance using the Deltek project management system.
- Supporting the Director of Compliance and Safety with strategic planning, technical governance, and growth of the fire engineering function.
Qualifications
- Relevant Degree and/or Master’s Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, or a related construction/engineering discipline.
- Chartered professional membership (or working towards) with RICS, CABE, IFE or IFSM.
- Extensive experience in fire engineering, including leading complex, high‑risk or high‑profile projects.
- Strong knowledge of façade fire engineering and external wall systems (desirable).
- Advanced experience with BIM, AutoCAD, or similar design and review tools.
- Experience in CFD‑based modelling and quantitative analysis, including FDS or equivalent software.
- In‑depth knowledge of UK fire safety legislation and guidance, including Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act, BS 9991, BS 9999, and PAS 9980.
- Proven ability to manage workload, priorities, and competing deadlines across multiple projects.
- Demonstrable leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder management experience.
- Actively working towards or holding Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with the Engineering Council via the IFE (desirable).
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and how you meet the above qualifications.
Principal Fire Engineer employer: RSK Group
Contact Detail:
RSK Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Fire Engineer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the fire engineering field! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your technical skills and experience. Share specific examples of projects you've led or challenges you've overcome. We want to see your passion for fire safety shine through!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research the company, understand their projects, and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. We recommend practising common interview questions and preparing some insightful questions to ask them too!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team at The Keegans Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Fire Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Fire Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in fire engineering projects and leadership roles. 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 the perfect fit for our Compliance and Safety team. Share specific examples of your work and how you’ve influenced design and compliance decisions in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise! Whether it's your experience with BIM, AutoCAD, or your knowledge of UK fire safety legislation, we want to know how you can bring value to our projects.
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 don’t miss any important updates from us. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at RSK Group
✨Know Your Fire Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your fire engineering knowledge, especially around UK fire safety legislation and guidance. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led and how you tackled complex challenges, as this will show your technical leadership skills.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since the role involves mentoring other engineers, think of examples where you've supported team members in their development. Share stories that highlight your ability to guide and influence others, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about fire safety strategies and risk assessments. Familiarise yourself with tools like BIM and AutoCAD, and be prepared to explain how you've used them in past projects to deliver compliant solutions.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Acumen
The role also involves business development, so think about how you've contributed to proposal generation or fee negotiations in the past. Be ready to discuss how you can support the growth of the fire engineering function at The Keegans Group.