Fire Opportunities – Engineer up to Associate Director

Bristol, Glasgow, London or Manchester

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 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 market‑leading team of fire safety specialists — many Chartered through the Institution of Fire Engineers — operating within one of the UK’s largest building engineering consultancies. We deliver high‑profile, technically challenging projects as part of multi‑disciplinary teams and via long‑standing client relationships. Our work spans UK and occasional international projects and includes advanced research, numerical modelling and large‑scale fire testing (including two of the world’s largest CLT compartment tests).

Why join us

• Outstanding training and development: weekly sessions, away‑days, innovation days and conference access.
• Clear route to Chartered status with an established CEng programme.
• Active engagement in SFPE, Smoke Control Association, BSI and IFE.
• Mentoring culture and opportunities to lead, influence and grow across a varied project portfolio.

About the role

We have multiple openings across levels. Typical duties include:

• Deliver fire safety design outputs (strategies, calculations, reports, drawings, specifications and schedules).
• Use fire‑modelling and analysis tools (evacuation, smoke, heat‑radiation, structural fire) to inform design.
• Coordinate fire requirements with architects, structural and building services teams to produce integrated solutions.
• Attend design team workshops, client meetings and site visits; maintain clear stakeholder communication.
• Manage project commercial tasks: invoicing support, WIP monitoring and workload/resource planning for your projects.
• Mentor apprentices, graduates and junior engineers.
• Travel to UK project sites and occasional international assignments as required.

About you (Engineer → Associate Director)

Essential:

• Consultancy experience in fire engineering or closely related fire safety role.
• Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Building Services, Architecture, Physics, Maths or similar.
• Practical experience with fire‑modelling/analysis software.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK fire safety principles and design guidance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, teamwork, organisation and time‑management skills.

Desirable / Senior requirements:

• Chartered status (CEng) is required for roles above Associate.
• Proven track record delivering medium to large projects, client management and leading teams.
• Membership of relevant bodies (IFE, SFPE) and sector experience (residential, healthcare, stadia, timber structures) an advantage.

How to apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact jessicamartin@hoarelea.com.

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