JustEng is a specialist fire engineering recruitment agency placing fire safety engineers, fire consultants and fire strategy specialists across the UK. From performance-based fire design to Building Safety Act compliance, we understand what makes an exceptional fire engineer.
Fire Engineering Roles We Fill
- Graduate Fire Engineer
- Fire Engineer / Fire Safety Engineer
- Senior Fire Engineer
- Principal Fire Engineer
- Associate Fire Engineer
- Technical Director — Fire
- Fire Consultant (contract & permanent)
- EWS1 / Cladding Remediation Specialists
The Fire Engineering Market in 2026
The Building Safety Act 2022 fundamentally changed the landscape for fire engineers in the UK. Higher-risk buildings now require Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 applications, and the Principal Designer role has significantly increased demand for experienced fire consultants. Post-Grenfell remediation projects continue to drive demand for EWS1 assessors and cladding specialists.
Senior fire engineers with CFD modelling experience and a track record of working with regulators command exceptional salaries — a shortage the industry has not yet resolved.
What We Look For in Fire Engineers
- Fire strategy report authorship across Approved Document B and BS 9999 / BS 9991
- Performance-based fire design and ASET/RSET analysis
- Fire and smoke CFD modelling (FDS, PyroSim, JASMINE)
- Building Safety Act 2022 and Gateway application experience
- EWS1 / PAS 9980 cladding assessments
- IFE membership and CEng chartered status
Fire Engineering Salary Guide 2026
| Level | Typical Salary |
|---|---|
| Graduate Fire Engineer | £28,000 – £35,000 |
| Fire Engineer (2–5 yrs) | £38,000 – £52,000 |
| Senior Fire Engineer | £52,000 – £72,000 |
| Principal / Associate | £72,000 – £95,000 |
| Technical Director | £95,000 – £125,000+ |
View the full Fire Engineering Salary Guide →
Looking for Fire Engineers?
Tell us about your vacancy and we’ll find you the right fire engineer — quickly and discreetly.
Why Fire Engineering Recruitment Requires a Specialist
Fire engineering is one of the most technically demanding disciplines within the built environment. Unlike generalist engineering roles, fire engineers must hold a deep understanding of fire dynamics, regulatory frameworks and human behaviour under emergency conditions. This specificity means that most generalist recruiters lack the knowledge to distinguish a strong fire engineer from a weak one at CV screening stage — let alone at technical interview.
At JustEng, our consultants have spent years working exclusively within the fire engineering market. We know the difference between Approved Document B compliance work and performance-based design. We understand why CFD modelling experience matters for complex atria and large retail schemes, and we know which firms are leading on Building Safety Act implementation. That knowledge changes the quality of candidates we put in front of you.
The Building Safety Act and Its Impact on Hiring
The Building Safety Act 2022 created entirely new demand categories within fire engineering. Principal Designer roles under the Act now require a level of regulatory knowledge and documentation rigour that was previously confined to the most senior consultants. Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 applications are complex, protracted processes that reward experienced practitioners — and penalise organisations that bring in engineers without the right background. We help firms identify engineers who have hands-on Gateway experience, not just theoretical familiarity with the regime. For candidates, we help position your BSA experience clearly so employers can understand your value immediately.
For Fire Engineering Candidates
Whether you are a recently chartered fire engineer looking for your first senior role, a principal considering a move to a smaller boutique practice, or a technical director exploring contract opportunities, JustEng works with confidentiality and precision. We never share your details without your explicit consent. We will only approach you with roles that genuinely match your experience, salary expectations and the type of work you want to be doing. Most of our candidate relationships develop over years — we are not interested in placing you in the wrong role.
Fire Engineering Recruitment FAQs
What qualifications do fire engineers need in the UK?
Most UK fire engineers hold a degree in fire engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering or a related discipline. Chartered status via the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is increasingly expected at senior levels. For Building Safety Act work, principal designers must demonstrate competency under the PAS 8671:2022 framework. Many employers also value membership of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) for internationally mobile engineers.
What is the current demand for fire engineers in the UK?
Demand is exceptionally strong and has been since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The Building Safety Act 2022 has compounded this further, creating legal obligations that require experienced fire engineers throughout the design, construction and occupation of higher-risk buildings. EWS1 assessors and cladding remediation specialists in particular are in very short supply relative to the volume of remediation work still outstanding across the UK housing stock.
How long does it take to hire a fire engineer through JustEng?
For most roles at graduate to senior level, we can present a shortlist of two to four pre-screened candidates within 48 to 72 hours of receiving your brief. For principal and technical director roles, where the talent pool is smaller and passive candidates require careful engagement, two to three weeks is more typical. We do not rush placements — but we do not delay them either.
Do you place contract fire engineers as well as permanent?
Yes. We place fire engineers on both a permanent and contract basis. Contract and interim fire engineers are particularly in demand for Gateway application support, cladding remediation programmes and surge capacity on large mixed-use development projects. Day rates for experienced contract fire engineers in London typically range from £450 to £750 per day depending on seniority and specialism.
What makes JustEng different from other fire engineering recruiters?
We work only in engineering and design. That means the consultant handling your fire engineering vacancy or job search understands the technical context of what you do. We do not place office managers or IT staff between fire engineering briefs. Our network is built exclusively within the built environment, and our fire engineering contacts are deep — covering consultancies from small specialist boutiques through to the largest multidisciplinary practices operating across the UK.