Design Engineer

Design Engineer

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 depending on experience
Location: Reading
Type of work and hours: Full-time, hybrid working with 1 day per week office-based

Are you an experienced Design Engineer with a strong background in fire detection and/or suppression systems, looking for a technically varied role supporting complex projects from initial design through to delivery?

Our client is looking for a capable Design Engineer to join its established design function, supporting the development of compliant, practical and commercially sound fire systems solutions across a range of construction and building services projects. This role would suit someone with proven CAD design experience, strong technical knowledge of relevant fire standards, and the confidence to work closely with project, commercial, sales and operational teams.

You will be responsible for producing accurate drawings, system layouts, calculations, technical documentation and project design packs, ensuring designs are suitable for installation, commissioning and handover. Experience within fire detection and/or suppression is essential, while exposure to data centre projects would be a distinct advantage. The role may also suit candidates operating at Designer or Senior Designer level, particularly those with experience reviewing design work or supporting junior colleagues.

Job Description

As Design Engineer, your duties will include:

• Producing detailed CAD drawings, layouts, schematics and supporting technical design documentation for fire systems projects.
• Developing compliant fire detection and/or suppression system designs in line with client requirements, project specifications and relevant industry standards.
• Preparing calculations, method-related information, design notes and documentation to support procurement, installation and project delivery.
• Creating and updating as-built drawings, O&M information and other project handover documentation.
• Liaising with project managers, commercial teams, estimators, sales and site-based teams to ensure designs are practical, cost-effective and deliverable.
• Providing technical input for proposals, tenders, client meetings and internal project reviews.
• Supporting site teams with design-related queries during installation, commissioning and handover.
• Maintaining accurate design records and ensuring documentation is controlled, current and aligned with project requirements.

Person Specification

Suitable applicants will ideally demonstrate:

• Previous experience as a Design Engineer, CAD Designer, Fire Systems Designer, Building Services Designer or similar.
• Essential experience designing fire detection and/or fire suppression systems.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit or similar CAD software, with 2D and ideally 3D capability.
• Good understanding of relevant standards and regulations, such as BS5839, BS5266, BS7671 or associated fire/building services standards.
• Experience producing accurate technical drawings, schematics, calculations and project documentation.
• HNC/HND, degree or equivalent technical qualification in Building Services, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A structured, detail-focused approach with the ability to manage several design priorities at once.
• Full UK driving licence and right to work in the UK.
• Data centre project experience would be highly desirable.
• FIA units, BS5839 training or other relevant industry certifications would also be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a technically focused fire systems business offering complex project work, long-term stability and the chance to contribute to high-quality design delivery across specialist environments. The role offers a salary of £50,000 - £65,000 depending on experience, hybrid working with 1 day per week in the Reading office, and the opportunity to work on technically demanding fire detection and suppression projects, with data centre exposure particularly valued.

To apply, please submit your CV by clicking on the relevant links. If successful, you will be contacted by one of our consultants within 3 working days. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we expect to receive for this vacancy, if you do not hear from us within this time, you should presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Grassroots Recruitment is acting as a recruitment agency and a recruitment business in respect of this vacancy. Grassroots Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and recruiter. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or disability.