Principal Fire Safety Engineer

RPS; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the United Kingdom seeks a motivated Principal Fire Safety Engineer to join their fire safety team. This role entails developing fire safety strategies, conducting hazard analysis, and ensuring regulatory compliance across various sectors, including nuclear and commercial. The ideal candidate should have substantial fire engineering experience, technical report writing skills, and the ability to engage stakeholders effectively. The position supports professional growth through access to training and a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Competitive market-rate salary

Access to CIPD-accredited training

Flexible working options

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial practical fire engineering experience required.
• Proven experience in fire safety strategy development and risk analysis.
• Stakeholder engagement experience, including liaison with regulatory bodies.
• Strong technical capabilities in fire engineering principles, modelling, and calculation.
• Technical expertise in designing and authoring fire safety strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative fire safety strategies for diverse projects.
• Engage with clients and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
• Produce accurate technical reports outlining fire protection requirements.
• Manage project objectives and develop tailored fee proposals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for integrated fire safety solutions.

Skills

Fire safety strategy development

Hazard analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Technical report writing

Communication skills

Tools

Fire modelling software (CFAST, FDS)

Job description

Principal Fire Safety Engineer

Join us in shaping the future of Fire Safety Engineering. At Tetra Tech RPS, we’re 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. Whether you’re actively seeking your next challenge or open to exploring new possibilities, this role offers the opportunity to grow your career within a consultancy renowned for its technical excellence and collaborative culture.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

Within the nuclear sector our projects often involve bespoke, technically complex challenges with limited reference documentation. Engineers will 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.

Engineers will apply advanced fire engineering expertise in scenarios where standard guidance is limited, using analytical and modelling techniques to develop innovative solutions. You will take responsibility for delivering high‑quality fire safety strategies and technical solutions that meet client objectives and regulatory requirements.

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 technical expertise in a dynamic, 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. For nuclear fire engineering roles, some projects may require understanding the nuclear safety case. While not essential initially, training will be provided to develop this capability.

Your Toolkit for Success at TetraTech RPS

We recruit using core capabilities – the toolkit of essential skills, experience, competencies, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. While we seek individuals that meet a benchmark level of expertise, we also welcome candidates who meet 75% of the requirements.

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 Approved Document B, BS 9999 and BS 9991 – as well as PD 7974 suite of standards, is essential. Experience with fire modelling software such as CFAST or FDS is advantageous but not essential; opportunities to develop these skills are provided.

Regulator Interaction

You will manage client‑facing responsibilities, 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. You will also interact regularly with regulatory bodies across different sectors, 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. You will review and refine work produced by junior team members, providing feedback and ensuring technical accuracy.

Proposals and Project Management

This role combines technical expertise with strong client engagement. You will take ownership of client requests, 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 and deliver high‑quality fire safety documentation. You will also delegate tasks to junior team members, providing oversight and feedback to ensure efficient delivery and technical excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement

Internally you will collaborate closely with the Fire Engineering Team Lead, Operational Director and other members of the fire engineering team. Externally you will work alongside architects, designers and key stakeholders throughout the design and delivery process, ensuring fire safety requirements are seamlessly integrated. You will also play an active role in multidisciplinary initiatives, partnering with colleagues from various teams and departments to develop coordinated, innovative, and technically robust outcomes.

Mandatory Training & Qualification Requirements

• Substantial practical fire engineering experience required.
• Proven experience in fire safety strategy development and risk analysis.
• Stakeholder engagement experience, including liaison with regulatory bodies.
• Strong technical capabilities in fire engineering principles, modelling, and calculation.
• Technical expertise in designing and authoring fire safety strategies, and the ability to produce clear, detailed documentation.
• Exceptional communication skills to collaborate effectively with architects and other stakeholders.

Beneficial Training, Qualifications, Or Equivalent Work Experience

• Experience in the nuclear sector is beneficial but not essential.

Working Environment

Our team embraces flexibility in every aspect of the role. Work location may include office, client site or home. 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.

Rewarding Your Expertise

We offer a competitive market‑rate salary aligned with the level and responsibilities of the role. Our total reward package reflects seniority and impact and includes a range of benefits that support professional growth and personal wellbeing.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. If you need accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role, please inform us.

Flexible Working

Flexible working options are available. Working patterns are agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance.

Why join Tetra Tech RPS?

At Tetra Tech RPS, 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.

Tetra Tech is a global leader in consulting and engineering with 30,000 employees across 550 offices in 120+ countries. Joining us means being part of a connected, forward‑thinking community that’s shaping a better future.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website for further information.

Submit your application today and discover what’s possible at Tetra Tech RPS Consulting.