Make an impact

Help shape safer buildings through specialist fire research, testing and engineering advice. This is an opportunity for an early-career structural fire engineer to join BRE’s Built Environment team, working on real projects for government and private sector clients. You will use your postgraduate research, modelling and analytical skills to support fire safety research, consultancy and testing that has a practical impact across the built environment.

What you’ll be doing

You will support fire safety analysis and research projects involving structural fire experiments, fire compartmentation, numerical analysis, site investigations and façades/cladding.

• contributing to large and small-scale fire research projects
• using modelling and analysis tools to support technical assessments
• analysing data and drawing evidence-based conclusions
• reviewing technical information, drawings and project evidence
• preparing clear technical reports and project outputs
• supporting proposals and helping deliver work to the agreed scope and deadlines
• managing defined pieces of project work, with support from experienced colleagues
• representing BRE in project meetings and technical discussions where appropriate

What we’re looking for

We are leading with the qualification for this role, so we are particularly interested in candidates with an experimental postgraduate research degree in structural fire engineering. You do not need to have held a directly comparable job before, provided your studies, research or project work give you the right technical foundation.

We are looking for someone with:

• a postgraduate qualification in structural fire engineering, or a closely related field with relevant fire, structural or modelling content
• exposure to finite element analysis, ideally including SAFIR, or related modelling tools
• strong numerical, analytical and data interpretation skills
• the ability to read construction drawings and work with technical documentation
• familiarity with CAD software
• an interest in UK fire safety codes, building regulations and Eurocode fire parts
• clear written communication skills, including the ability to produce technical reports
• the ability to organise your work, manage priorities and meet project deadlines
• curiosity and willingness to keep learning as project needs develop

Experience in fire engineering consultancy, fire research, fire testing, structural engineering, façade/cladding, certification/testing, construction products, government-funded research or regulated technical consultancy would be helpful, but is not essential if your academic background is strong.

Location and working pattern

This role is based at the BRE Science Park in Watford/Garston.

The hybrid pattern is 3 days per week on site, plus customer site visits where required. This may vary slightly during busy or training periods.

Why join BRE

BRE is a world-leading independent research, advisory and testing organisation focused on making buildings safer, more sustainable and better for people. You will join a specialist team with access to unique fire research and testing facilities, working on projects that combine technical depth with real-world impact.

This role offers the chance to build your expertise in structural fire engineering while learning from experienced colleagues across fire research, testing and consultancy.

Ready to apply?

If you have a postgraduate background in structural fire engineering, strong analytical skills and an interest in applying your research to practical fire safety challenges, we would like to hear from you.

We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds and experiences. Even if your experience does not match every point, but your qualification and technical foundation are relevant, we encourage you to apply.

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