Nuclear energy is complex and high-stakes, fire safety is one of the disciplines that underpins all of it. If a reactor building has been designed correctly, the fire safety engineer's work is invisible. If it hasn't, the consequences are serious. That tension is what makes this role matter.
We're looking for a Fire Safety Engineer to join a team of specialists who work at the intersection of engineering design and risk. You'll be embedded within a multidisciplinary project environment, collaborating with structural, mechanical, and systems engineers to make sure fire safety is considered at every stage, not bolted on at the end.
A good portion of your time will be spent in front of 3D models reviewing designs, identifying where combustible materials sit within a building's layout, and assessing what a fire event would realistically look like in that space. You'll run simulations using MAGIC software to model how temperatures evolve during a fire scenario, translating those outputs into clear recommendations for the engineering teams you work alongside.
You'll also spend time reviewing and responding to design changes as they come through. In a live project environment, things move quickly,your role is to stay ahead of those changes and flag where a modification might introduce new risk or require a rethink of the fire strategy.
When it comes to solutions, you won't just be flagging problems, you'll be proposing answers. That means recommending zoning strategies, specifying detection systems, and working through the detail of firefighting provision. You'll be the person in the room who can explain why a particular approach is the right one, and back it up with calculation.
Some days will be collaborative, working through a design issue with a team of engineers. Others will be more independent, heads down with the software, working through a simulation or pulling together a technical report. The balance suits people who like both.
The Environment
You'll be joining an organisation that has been working in nuclear engineering for over fifty years. That longevity means deep technical expertise around you, and the kind of project complexity that genuinely develops your skills. The work spans multiple sites and programmes, so there's always something new to get your teeth into.
The team is experienced but not insular. People here tend to have come from other regulated industries: defence, oil and gas, civil nuclear and that mix of backgrounds shapes how problems get approached.
What We're Looking For
You'll need a solid engineering foundation and genuine experience in fire safety within a regulated or high-hazard setting. Specifically:
* A degree in engineering, with a specialism in safety or fire protection.
* Hands-on experience with MAGIC simulation software.
* Working knowledge of ETCF the EPR Technical Code for Fire.
* Familiarity with UK, EU, or US fire regulations; BS9999 experience is a particular advantage.
* Confidence in fire protection calculations and the ability to translate outputs into practical recommendations.
Beyond the technical checklist, we're looking for someone who communicates well across disciplines, can hold their own in a design review, and is comfortable working with a degree of ambiguity. Nuclear projects are long, detailed, and sometimes frustrating, the people who thrive here tend to be methodical, curious, and not easily put off by complexity.
Please get in touch with Alex at 1st Select if ths could be the role for you
Salary description
£50000.00 - £70000.00 per year