Fire or Senior Fire Engineer

Fire Engineer or Senior Fire Engineer

Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester or London

Competitive salary + benefits

We have an exciting opening for a Fire Engineer or Senior Fire Engineer to join our firm in our Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester or London offices.

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Hoare Lea’s Fire Engineering group is a leading team of experienced fire safety specialists, many Chartered through the Institution of Fire Engineers. As part of one of the UK’s largest building engineering consultancies we collaborate with top engineers, access advanced technical resources, and work on major, high‑profile projects—while also delivering standalone fire engineering commissions and maintaining long‑term client relationships.

Notable projects include Heathrow Terminal 2, Doha Metro, the £1bn Elephant & Castle redevelopment, the ExCeL extension, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young Persons (Edinburgh), seven of Manchester’s ten tallest buildings (including the UK’s tallest residential tower), several major UK airport terminals and two World Cup stadia.

We invest heavily in research and testing—covering computational modelling, emerging risks and novel techniques—and recently led two of the world’s largest CLT compartment fire tests to validate a sustainable timber office design.

Training and professional development are central to our culture: weekly internal sessions, regular away‑days and access to external events support career growth and CEng attainment. Our team’s diverse background includes ex‑fire service, building control and specialists in physics, mechanical/chemical engineering, materials science and forensics.

We are active in SFPE, the Smoke Control Association, BSI and the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Why join us?

• World‑class fire engineering on high‑quality, varied projects.
• Strong client repeat business and long‑term relationships.
• Exceptional training and a clear route to Chartered status.
• Flexible working and generous benefits (including a 9‑day fortnight option).
• A supportive, inclusive team culture with regular socials.

About the Role

Join Hoare Lea’s Fire Engineering team to deliver fire safety design for buildings across the UK (occasional international projects). We work as part of multi‑disciplinary project teams and maintain a significant portfolio of long‑term external clients. Our work requires strong technical knowledge of UK regulations and design guidance, excellent collaboration with other construction professionals, and clear, timely communication across project teams.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver and/or lead fire safety design outputs: strategies, calculations, reports and drawings that comply with UK regulations and client requirements.
• Coordinate fire requirements with multidisciplinary teams to produce integrated designs.
• Attend and represent the fire team at design workshops, client meetings, site visits and design team meetings; communicate progress and act on feedback.
• Apply fire‑modelling and analysis tools (evacuation, smoke, heat‑radiation, structural fire) to support design decisions.
• Travel to client or project sites in the UK and occasionally internationally as required.
• Ensure clear documentation and timely delivery of work while maintaining quality and risk awareness.

Senior‑level responsibilities (for Senior Engineer applicants)

• Lead technical delivery on medium to large projects and act as primary client contact.
• Provide technical review, quality assurance and sign‑off of junior engineers’ work; mentor and develop team members.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, workloads and project risks; contribute to business development and repeat client relationships.
• Use advanced modelling/analysis to resolve complex design challenges.

About you

• Consultancy experience in fire engineering or a closely related fire safety role.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Building Services, Architecture, Physics, Maths or similar.
• Working knowledge of fire‑modelling/analysis software.
• Strong technical understanding of fire safety principles and UK design guidance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and a collaborative approach to teamworking.
• Good organisational skills, ability to prioritise and deliver to tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Chartered status (CEng) or working towards it.
• Active membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g., IFE, SFPE).
• Experience of site inspections, stakeholder liaison and business development.
• Sector experience in residential, healthcare, stadia or timber structures (if relevant).

How to apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact

If shortlisted, one of our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange a introductory call (about 30 minutes) to discuss the role and your experience in more detail. From there, successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices.

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

Data privacy

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Recruitment agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.