Principal Fire Engineer

About Building & Real Estate

At SOCOTEC UK Building and Real Estate division, we pride ourselves on being a trusted partner supporting our clients at every stage of the property lifecycle. We offer a comprehensive range of services including building surveying, project management, dilapidations advice, technical due diligence, compliance support, and sustainability consultancy. Our specialists focus on delivering solutions that are not only technically robust but also commercially sensible. By prioritising quality, reliability, and strong client relationships, we ensure buildings are safe, efficient, and future-ready — creating spaces that perform better for businesses, communities, and the environment.

What's in it for you?

Your expertise deserves recognition. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday (with the option to buy more), an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition programmes, family-friendly support, exclusive retail discounts, employee assistance programmes, and an enhanced company pension. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.

Job Description

Principal Fire Engineer

Are you interested in fire engineering? This could be your opportunity to excel as a Principal Fire Engineer, playing a vital role in supporting SOCOTEC’s continued success.

As SOCOTEC grows, so do our teams. We’re looking for a dedicated Principal Fire Engineer to join our Fire Engineering team and wear the SOCOTEC badge with pride.

We are seeking a proactive, reliable, and flexible Principal Fire Engineer to join our Fire Engineering team. In this role, you’ll need the confidence to work independently, alongside the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team. A background in fire safety engineering, along with knowledge of fire engineering principles and professional standards, is essential to thrive in this position.

The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):
• Delivering comprehensive fire engineering services and providing technical advice to clients
• Maintain and develop strong client relationships while identifying business development opportunities, preparing fee proposals, liaising with clients and professionals, managing external collaborators, and contributing to the company's reputation through organising conferences, panels, seminars and CPD sessions.
• Lead and mentor the fire engineering team by supervising and training graduate fire engineers, reviewing technical work prepared by others, driving technical development in cooperation with senior engineers, assisting the Director of Engineering with strategic decisions, ensuring compliance with SOCOTEC systems and quality procedures.

Qualifications

To be a successful Principal Fire Engineer, you should be able to demonstrate:
• A degree and postgraduate qualification in fire engineering or a related discipline
• Familiarity of relevant legislation including Approved Document B, BS 9999, BS 9991 and BS 7974
•Have achieved full membership with the IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers), and achieved Chartership with Engineering Council or completed the level 6 RICS EWS Training.
• At least six years’ experience in fire safety engineering
Strong technical knowledge of fire engineering standards and guidance

Additional Information

Why SOCOTEC?

Join a thriving community of over 2,000 industry professionals who are passionate about making a real difference. At SOCOTEC UK, we're not just delivering services - we're shaping the future of testing, inspection, and certification across the nation.

What sets us apart? Our people. We've built our reputation on attracting exceptional talent like you and empowering them to deliver excellence at every turn. Our comprehensive range of TIC services means you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse, challenging projects that truly matter.

In this role, you won't just be another employee - you'll be a key player in our continued success story. Your expertise will directly contribute to our mission of building a safer, more sustainable world, while you grow your career alongside some of the industry's finest professionals.

Your Career, Your Way

Build a traditional career path or explore opportunities across multiple disciplines - all within SOCOTEC. Your choice, your direction.

Work Your Way

Local, national, or global projects. Office-based, remote, or hybrid. We offer the flexibility that empowers you to perform at your best.

Committed to Your Growth

From day one, you'll have access to comprehensive training, mentorship, and development programs. We support every step of your professional journey. #YouGrowWeGrow

Think you've got what it takes to add value to our success? We would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.

Building a safer and more sustainable world is the core mission we set out to achieve at SOCOTEC, it is at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to acting as a key player in society, investing in innovative solutions to ensure social and environmental concerns are at the forefront of all of our business operations.