Principal Fire Engineer in Reading

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day. For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland, we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

As a Principal Fire Engineer/Technical Lead, the role will be responsible for the consistent and timely delivery of complex design projects as well as driving forward both technical and commercial contributions to our business. Specific and significant experience will be used to develop long term client relationships and develop new business through these relationships. This role involves providing a high level of service to our customers across all fire engineering sectors – liaising with clients, preparing fee proposals and managing projects from inception to completion.

Missions/Main Duties

• Working across a variety of projects both independently and as part of a wider team.
• Provide continuous high quality fire engineering services to our customers.
• Keep abreast of market trends and look for future developing work streams.
• Provide advisory support and carry out site visits during construction stage.
• Prepare technical engineering analysis such as CFD modelling, structural fire engineering, etc. using programs such as FDS/PyroSim, Pathfinder, SAFIR, B-Risk, etc.
• Fire Risk Assessments, Technical Report Writing and Third party review/design verification.
• Have a clear understanding of fire safety issues and provide well supported fire engineered solutions through the selection of appropriate methods and tools.
• Ability to negotiate and influence both internal and external parties of design concepts.
• Ability to identify solutions to correct problems.
• Be capable of strategic, creative and analytical thinking to solve problems both in terms of project and non-project items.
• Proactively seek out skills in others to support this.
• Help the team develop efficiencies in the way SYSTRA UK&I deliver work as well as staying at the forefront of the industry technically.
• Have an understanding of relevant legislation and design guidance such as Approved Document B (ADB), BS 9999, BS 9991, BS 9992, BS 7974, BS 5839, BS EN 12845 and BS EN 15004.
• Prepare/review fee proposals.
• Ensure SYSTRA UK&I systems and policies are followed and assist with the development and continued improvement of these (e.g. internal procedures, templates, or similar).
• Ensure that records are maintained to determine that the company’s Quality Procedures, service levels and contractual requirements are being met.
• Be able to lead and direct a team through the knowledge and application of standards and procedures.
• Contribute to sustainable development and the evolution of the fire engineering discipline within the SYSTRA UK&I Business, providing support to the wider business on the latest fire safety standards/regulations/best practice.
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve and grow together.

Stakeholder accountabilities

• Maintain and manage strong client relationships and identify business development opportunities.
• As part of this role will interact with architecture and wider multi-discipline colleagues to produce organised, collaborative built-environment design solutions.
• Interface with the following external parties: external Local Fire Authorities, Project Client Team, Contractors and External Stakeholders, Statutory Authorities, Local Planning Authorities and Supply chain partners (Fire Engineering and others).
• Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, development, performance management, and retention of team members to build a high-performing and engaged team.
• Communicate relevant business updates, strategic objectives, and key information to the team in a timely and effective manner, ensuring clarity and alignment.
• Ensure full compliance with people policies and procedure, proactively managing people-related risks to maintain a fair and safe working environment.
• Create and maintain a working environment in which SYSTRA’s behavioural expectations are recognised and demonstrated through daily interactions with colleagues and clients.
• Actively lead by example by considering role-modelling SYSTRA behaviours, recognising and celebrating team members who exemplify these behaviours, providing constructive feedback for improvement, and fostering a supportive environment that enables all colleagues to contribute.

Financial & project accountabilities

• Manage projects from inception to completion and be responsible for the associated invoicing.
• Delivery of designs that have direct impact on the project.
• The Fire Engineer will be responsible for the Fire Engineering Project Budgets/Forecasts at a project level only.

Profile/Skills

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in engineering (mechanical, structural, civil or similar field).
• A postgraduate fire engineering qualification (certificate, diploma or masters).
• Involvement and recognition with a professional body.
• Broad experience and knowledge in a similar role.
• Broad and robust knowledge of design and construction principles and standards.
• Be able to communicate with tact and diplomacy.