Associate Director - Fire Engineer

About the Role

The successful candidate will oversee and develop a team of fire engineers, providing technical leadership and ensuring high‑quality project delivery. The role is suited to an established consultant ready to take the next step in a multidisciplinary design environment. You will lead the Defence workload management, set SMART goals, conduct staff appraisals, and support professional development plans. Mentoring and training will be provided to help staff progress toward chartership and broaden expertise across sectors. Responsibility includes estimating fire engineering budgets and schedules, leading mid‑to‑large Defence projects nationally and internationally, and acting as an Approved Lead Verifier and Project Manager. You will also manage technical client relationships and contribute to new business acquisition. Implementation of AECOM Health & Safety policies on‑site and off‑site is required, as is maintaining strong client relationships and promoting the fire engineering business. You will assist in marketing strategy, support national KPIs, and help implement the Fire Team Business Plan. • Lead and manage fire engineering team for Defence projects, including workload, performance, and appraisals. • Oversee delivery of large, complex Defence projects to meet regulatory and client expectations. • Set and monitor SMART goals; develop professional development plans and mentor staff toward chartership. • Provide fire engineering cost and schedule estimates; act as Approved Lead Verifier and Project Manager. • Maintain client relationships, attract new business, and contribute to marketing and business plan initiatives. • Ensure compliance with AECOM Health & Safety policies on and offsite.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸team leadership
• ▸project delivery
• ▸cost estimating
• ▸lead verification
• ▸client relations
• ▸health safety

What You Bring

We are seeking an Associate Director (Fire Engineer) with Defence experience to join our UK offices. This consultancy‑based role requires demonstrable experience across multiple sectors and technical fire engineering applications, with a focus on Defence work. Required qualifications include extensive experience in a large multidisciplinary environment, comprehensive knowledge of UK fire standards (e.g., BS 9991, BS 9999, HTM 05‑02) and Defence standards (JSP 80, DIFS), proficiency with fire engineering tools such as FDS, SFE, and evacuation modelling software, and membership in relevant professional institutions (MIFireE or NFPA certifications). A BEng/MEng or MSc in fire science or engineering is required. Preferred attributes are UK nationality, a good level of security clearance, Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with the Institution of Fire Engineering, a PhD in a fire‑related discipline, and experience with international standards such as IBC, SFPE, and NFPA. • Required: extensive multi‑disciplinary experience, UK and Defence fire standards knowledge, proficiency with FDS, SFE, evacuation modelling, and professional membership (MIFireE or NFPA). • Preferred: UK nationality, security clearance, Chartered Engineer (CEng), PhD, and international standards experience.

Requirements

• ▸fds
• ▸sfe
• ▸evacuation modelling
• ▸uk standards
• ▸defence standards
• ▸chartered engineer

Benefits

AECOM offers a range of core and personalised benefits, a flexible hybrid working model, career development opportunities, AECOM University, technical practice networks, and volunteering days to support your well‑being and lifestyle. If you are interested, follow AECOM on social media or contact recruiter Lou Buckle on LinkedIn. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with $14.4 billion revenue in FY 2023, offering hybrid work flexibility, an inclusive culture, comprehensive compensation and wellbeing programs, and is an Equal Opportunity and Disability Confident employer. • Benefits include flexible hybrid working, career development, AECOM University, volunteering days, and comprehensive wellbeing programmes.

Work Environment

Hybrid