Principal Fire Safety Engineer in Warrington

Join us in shaping the future of Fire Safety Engineering at RPS Tetra Tech. We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Principal Fire Safety Engineer to join our growing fire safety engineering team. This role offers the chance to work on a diverse portfolio of projects, delivering fire strategy design and hazard analysis across sectors such as nuclear, residential, commercial, office, waste and recycling, and other high-hazard environments.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

Within the nuclear sector, our projects often involve bespoke, technically complex challenges with limited reference documentation, contrasting with the more prescriptive residential sector. Engineers will have the opportunity to apply core fire engineering principles, including modelling and calculations, to deliver innovative, safety-focused solutions. Larger projects may involve developing fire strategies for major new builds, such as regional distribution centres or facilities on nuclear-licensed sites. You will apply advanced fire engineering expertise in scenarios where standard guidance is limited, using analytical and modelling techniques to develop innovative solutions.

Your Impact in this Position

In the first year, you will contribute to complex and innovative fire engineering projects across multiple sectors. The role involves working on high-profile assignments where you will apply your technical expertise in a dynamic and technically challenging environment. Current projects include one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure sites, providing exposure to large-scale nuclear work and the chance to develop skills in stakeholder engagement, technical design, and regulatory interaction. We support career growth through progression toward chartership and access to CIPD-accredited training.

Toolkit for Success at TetraTech 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. We are seeking individuals that meet a benchmark level of expertise. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Fire Safety Engineering Expertise

The role involves applying fire safety engineering principles to develop innovative, compliant building designs. You will create fire strategies, conduct hazard analysis, and address complex risks. A strong knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework for fire-safe design, including guidance such as Approved Document B, BS 9999, and BS 9991, is essential. You will bring working knowledge of fire safety engineering principles, including the PD 7974 suite of standards. Experience with fire modelling software such as CFAST or FDS is advantageous, though not essential, as we provide opportunities to develop these skills.

Regulator Interaction

You will manage client-facing responsibilities, including attending meetings and conducting site visits to assess existing fire safety measures and building conditions. Acting as a key representative of the Consultancy, you will ensure fire safety considerations are fully addressed throughout the project lifecycle. The role also involves regular interaction with regulatory bodies across different sectors, requiring confidence and experience in leading these engagements to achieve compliance and maintain strong professional relationships.

Technical Report Writing

The role requires the ability to produce clear, accurate, and technically robust written reports that articulate fire protection requirements and underpin project decisions. These reports must translate complex fire engineering principles into practical, actionable guidance for clients and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and standards. The role involves reviewing and refining work produced by junior team members, providing feedback, ensuring technical accuracy, and integrating their contributions into cohesive, high-quality project documentation.

Proposals and Project Management

This role combines technical expertise with strong client engagement. You will take ownership of client requests, which may range from clearly defined scopes of work to more exploratory assignments requiring specialist guidance. This includes working closely with clients to clarify requirements, shape project objectives, and develop tailored fee proposals. Once a project is secured, you will maintain proactive communication with the client to ensure progress aligns with expectations, delivering high-quality fire safety documentation to support the agreed scope.

Stakeholder Engagement

Internally, you will collaborate closely with the Fire Engineering Team Lead, the Operational Director, and other members of the fire engineering team to deliver high-quality solutions. Externally, you will work alongside architects, designers, and key stakeholders throughout the design and delivery process, ensuring fire safety requirements are seamlessly integrated into complex projects.

Substantial practical fire engineering experience is required, along with proven experience in fire safety strategy development and risk analysis. Strong technical capabilities in fire engineering principles, modelling, and calculation are essential, as well as exceptional communication skills to collaborate effectively with architects and other individuals throughout the design and delivery process.

Working Environment

Our team embraces flexibility in every aspect of the role, including project focus across nuclear and non-nuclear sectors, work location between office, client site, and home, and opportunities for personal development. While proximity to our Warrington or West Cumbria office is preferred, remote working may be considered. For office-based staff, we operate a hybrid model of three days in the office and two days working from home.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. Flexible working options are available in this role, with working patterns agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance.

Why join Tetra Tech RPS?

At Tetra Tech RPS, our people are our success. We thrive on solving the problems that matter, whether in urbanisation, natural resources, or sustainability. With a collaborative culture, agile working, and access to some of the brightest minds in the industry, we empower our teams to deliver exceptional outcomes while building fulfilling careers.