2026 Graduate Fire Engineer - Manchester

Hoare Lea LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Manchester is seeking a graduate engineer. You will work on high-profile projects, producing detailed designs, and gaining exposure to fire safety engineering challenges. Ideal candidates should have an accredited engineering degree and strong analytical skills. The position offers competitive salary and extensive training opportunities.

Benefits

Private medical cover

Stock options

Up to 30 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Expected or achieved 22 or above in an Engineering Council accredited degree.
• A grade B or above in A-Level Maths or a science-related subject.
• Previous placement or work experience in a similar industry is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Work on live projects from day one.
• Produce detailed designs and drawings.
• Undertake site surveys.
• Research ground-breaking technologies.

Skills

Engineering degrees

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Independence

Education

Engineering Council accredited degree

Master’s or relevant postgraduate qualification

Tools

CAD

Revit

CFD modelling software

Job description

About Us

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. 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 committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. 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, electric vehicle salary‑sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

Why Work For Us?

• You’ll collaborate with the industry’s best, working with a wide range of built‑environment specialists.
• You’ll be part of progressive and exciting projects, able to experience innovative schemes across all sectors.
• You’ll advance your career, your way, thanks to our structured Career Paths framework.

In addition, we will provide you with structured support to achieve Chartered Engineering status if you so wish.

The Role

Being part of one of the UK’s largest building engineering consultancies, we benefit from collaborating with some of the best engineers in the business, with access to state‑of‑the‑art technical support, and have the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s largest and most high‑profile projects as part of a multi‑disciplinary team. However, the fire team also works independently on fantastic projects, with many in our team having developed long‑term relationships with many great clients.

Heathrow’s Terminal 2, Doha’s new metro, the vast £1 billion Elephant and Castle redevelopment in London, the extension to the ExCeL centre and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young Persons in Edinburgh are examples of some of the amazing projects where we have led the Fire Engineering design with other Hoare Lea disciplines.

As part of long‑standing Fire Engineering relationships with external clients, we have led the fire safety design on seven of Manchester’s ten tallest buildings (including the UK’s tallest residential tower), developed the current fire strategies for most of the UK’s largest airport terminals, and designed two world‑cup stadia.

In addition to Hoare Lea’s best‑in‑class training, the fire group has developed extensive additional training and development opportunities – weekly training sessions for everyone, regular training away‑days, innovation days and access to external training and conferences. We place a particular emphasis on enabling our team to achieve Chartered Engineer status – we have developed a programme for this and numerous fire engineers have obtained their CEng with us over the years. This is all enabled by our very experienced and highly qualified team.

We are active in a number of key organisations such as the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), Smoke Control Association, BSI Group and Institution of Fire Engineers.

Responsibilities

As a graduate engineer the day‑to‑day tasks will vary. You could be:

• Working on live projects from day one – click here to view our exciting projects
• A part of a variety of sectors from healthcare to hotels
• Producing detailed designs and drawings
• Using the latest computer modelling software CAD and Revit
• Undertaking site surveys
• Researching ground‑breaking technologies
• Taking advantage of continuous CPD and learning opportunities
• Reviewing building designs to assess compliance and designing solutions to bespoke fire engineering problems, as part of the overall design team, alongside the architect and statutory authorities.
• Undertaking calculations for smoke and temperature spread, as well as more complex smoke and evacuation modelling (CFD simulations), detailed fire dynamics and structural assessments. In addition, you would undertake analysis of potential fires, develop advice based on the outcome and provide recommendations in relation to life safety systems for buildings and assist the production of fire strategy reports for buildings.

About You

• An expected or achieved 22 or above in an Engineering Council accredited degree, ideally Fire Safety Engineering or equivalent qualification (such as Building Services, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) or science‑based degree (such as Maths, Physics).
• A master’s or other relevant post‑graduate qualification is an advantage.
• Ideally a grade B or above in A‑Level Maths or a science‑related subject.
• Previous placement or work experience in a similar industry is an advantage.
• Understanding of CFD or similar modelling software is an advantage.
• Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• A friendly, ambitious and confident individual with a flexible and resilient approach.

Our Benefits

To reward your hard work and commitment we offer both core and flexible benefits, a competitive salary and industry‑leading training and development to support you throughout your career. For further information on the benefits we offer click here.

How To Apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, and for hints and tips in applying click here. Please only apply for one location for your discipline; if you are flexible with location, great! You will have the chance to select your other location preferences and this will be confirmed again with you at telephone interview. If you apply for multiple locations, you will only be considered for the location you have applied for.

Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for this graduate role. Only candidates already authorised to work in the UK—e.g. British/Irish citizens, EU Settled/Pre‑Settled, ILR holders—will be considered.

Adjustments and Accommodations

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

Flexible Working

We are committed to enabling a healthy work‑life balance for all employees. So, we welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements to suit their particular needs and lifestyle, including part‑time, term‑time‑only, and remote working.

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