Senior Fire Safety Engineer (Job Number: 25001158)
Accommodation & Commercial Services
Grade 8: - £47,389 - £56,535 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Working Arrangements: We operate hybrid working and are on site a minimum of two days per week, depending on business needs.
Closing Date: 16-Sep-2025, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Job Title: Senior Fire Safety Engineer
Department Estates and Facilities Directorate
Business and Campus Services
Grade: Grade 8
Salary range: £47,389-£56,535
Working arrangements: Full time (nominal 35 hours)
Permanent
Evenings and weekend working, as business needs
There may be a requirement to participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota
Hybrid working (minimum of two days per week onsite, depending on business needs, after the initial training/induction period)
Closing date: Shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout the advertising period and if it is possible to fill this vacancy before the closing date, the advert will be closed immediately

WHAT YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE WHEN YOU APPLY/PERSON SPECIFICATION

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
Your application should cover the following criteria:

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

1. Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or substantial equivalent experience in a similar role.
2. MFireE and IFE Level 5 Diploma in Fire Engineering Design, or equivalent.
3. Chartered, or working towards chartered status, as a Fire Safety Engineer.
4. Professional practitioner with specialist up-to-date fire safety law, building codes and best practice and expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation.
5. Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
6. Experience of delivering and developing specialist fire safety advice, guidance and oversight for buildings and estates.
7. Experience of developing and implementing fire safety management systems.
8. Experience of auditing fire safety management systems against a recognised standard.
9. Experience of providing specialist fire safety advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
10. Experience of implementing fire safety policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/KNOWLEDGE

1. Knowledge of fire modelling simulation.
2. Knowledge and familiarity on computer aided design (CAD) packages, building information management (BIM), active fire protection (AFP) and passive fire protection (PFP).
3. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
4. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.
5. Track record of working as a Fire Engineer with experience in designing and implementing fire safety strategies in new and existing buildings.
6. Knowledge and understanding of fire dynamic, heat transfer and smoke behaviour principles.
7. Ability to apply the principles of good practice in fire safety risk management to unusual and non-standard problems, proposing practical and proportionate solutions.
8. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
9. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, and fire risk assessment principles.
10. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
11. Ability to deliver engaging training.

THE ROLE AND DEPARTMENT

As Senior Fire Safety Engineer, you will be responsible for applying advanced fire engineering principles in the design and assessment of buildings across a diverse estate. This includes the technical delivery of fire safety services, design and drawing appraisals, and ensuring compliance with Approved Document B, BS9999, BS9991 or performance-based fire engineering solutions. You will provide expert advice on a wide range of fire safety issues such as compartmentation, passive and active fire protection systems, occupancy levels, fire escape strategies, emergency lighting, alarms, fire suppression systems, fire-fighting equipment, and specialist systems. You will also assess fire safety arrangements for disabled occupants, fire appliance access, and construction-phase fire safety. You will produce and review Fire Safety Manuals and provide technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Extensive experience in fire dynamics and delivering fire engineering consultancy across complex projects is essential.
In addition to technical expertise, you will lead the Fire Safety team, providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and professional development, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will also be required to lead on policy development, internal governance, and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and institutional standards. By promoting a deep understanding of fire safety policy and external developments, you will play a key role in shaping the future of fire safety provision within the University.
The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.