Senior Fire Engineer

PURPOSE OF ROLE

We are seeking a highly skilled, Professionally Registered, Senior Fire Engineer/Technologist to join our Oil, Gas and Power Engineering team. This is mostly a 100% technical role, in which you will provide specialist technical inputs and support to ensure professional and compliant designs are produced on time, within budget, and to specifications.

You will be required to perform Fire Risk Assessments, produce Rational Fire Designs and Fire Protection System Design for Greenfields and Brownfields projects within the Industrial, Power Generation and Oil & Gas Industry.

You will be required to produce and oversee quality engineering outputs related to fire suppression and protection systems that satisfy all requirements (Client, Codes, and Standards) by adhering to internal engineering processes. specialist inputs and support to ensure professional and compliant designs are produced on time, within budget, and to specifications. Produce quality and professional engineering outputs that satisfy all requirements (Client, Codes, and Standards) by adhering to internal engineering processes.

The position has no direct reports within the functional organogram. However, the role involves providing guidance to Engineers/Technologists, Junior Engineers/Technologists, and Engineers in Training (EITs), and may act as Lead Engineer on Fire Protection projects managing a technical, Fire Engineering team within the project organogram.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

New Business Development, Tenders and Proposals

• Act as Technical Proposal/Tender Lead for Fire Engineering Related Projects (as appointed by the HOD).
• Develop User Requirements Specifications (URS) and Operational Requirements Specifications (ORS) with clients.
• Review and clarify URS, and brainstorm with Engineering Team throughout proposal and tender phases.
• Conduct concept development and feasibility checks.
• Compile and review technical specifications and enquiry packages.
• Review technical outputs from others and adjudicate supplier offers.
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and estimate engineering effort.
• Provide input to project schedules and document assumptions and URS deviations.
• Identify technical and commercial risks.

• Develop and review basic and detailed designs industrial fire protection and suppression systems:
• Perform Fire Risk Assessments.
• Develop Rational Fire Designs and Fire Plans.
  • Develop Fire Protection System Designs including Hydraulic Analysis.
  • Perform Compliance & Safety Audits for Existing Systems and Installations.
  • Work with other engineering disciplines and architects to integrate fire safety into
    building and structural designs.
• Evaluate and communicate engineering software requirements to the HOD.
• Identify and apply required codes and standards.
• Manage effective change management and consider financial aspects for decision making.
• Identify engineering risks within projects.
• Address internal/external review comments and obtain AFD and AFC Freeze.
• Attend FATs of Fire related Equipment (e.g. pumps).
• Oversee sub-contractor designs to ensure compliance and timely delivery.

• Interface with other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated design delivery.
• Participate in Integrated Design and/or 3D model Reviews.

• Support installation team by resolving technical queries, performing site inspections, and implementing design changes.
• Support commissioning manager by acting as commissioning engineer, compiling procedures, and recording commissioning data.
• Support Project Team with handover and close-out of engineering deliverables.
• Develop as-built documentation and resolve punch lists.
• Support system/plant performance testing and contribute to lessons learned.

• Participate in client technical negotiations to reach approval/signature stage when needed.

• Provide guidance to EITs, Junior Engineers/Technologists, and Engineers/Technologists.
• Mentor Engineers in Training (EITs).
• Transfer knowledge to junior team members.
• Promote and support the Lesedi Values.
• Apply working knowledge of performance management.

QUALIFICATION

• B.Sc / B.Eng / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent (required).
• Registered as a Professional Engineer/Technologist with ECSA or equivalent (required).
• Post Graduate Qualification in Fire Engineering (beneficial).
• Registered as a Fire Protection Systems Practitioner / Fire Protection Systems Rational Design with ECSA (beneficial).

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 to 15 years relevant fire engineering experience.
• At least 4 years in the Power Generation or Oil & Gas Industry within the EPC or EPCM Environment.

COMPETENCIES

KNOWLEDGE

Technical Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the Engineering Design Life Cycle within EPC / EPCM Projects.
• Good knowledge of SANS and NFPA codes applicable to the Fire Engineering within the Power Generation and Oil&Gas Industries.
• Good knowledge of other applicable codes and standards (e.g. BS, SANS 347).
• Good general knowledge regarding the fundamentals applicable to the selection, sizing, operation and construction of Mechanical Equipment (fire pumps, fire water tanks, valves etc.).
• Good general knowledge regarding fire protection piping systems within Power Generation and Oil & Gas Industries.
• Knowledge of the OHS Act and its Regulations.
• Good knowledge of ISO quality systems principles (ISO 9001, 14001, 18001).
• Good understanding of PMBOK principles and project management procedures.
• Technically competent within the applicable knowledge area.
• Good knowledge and application of project delivery models (EPC, EPCM).
• Good understanding and application of financial aspects of projects.

Commercial and Financial Knowledge

• Good knowledge of contract management and types of contracts (NEC, FIDIC).
• Good knowledge and application of project delivery models.
• Good understanding and application of financial aspects of projects.

SKILLS

• Computer literate (MS Office).
• Fire System Hydraulic Analysis and Sprinkler System Design (AFT Fathom or Equivalent).
• Good leadership skills.
• Able to communicate clearly with good verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of analytical thinking.
• Adaptable and flexible.
• Financial savviness.
• Good administrative and organizational skills.
• Technically competent.

BEHAVIOURS/PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strong commitment to quality and professional engineering practices.
• Proactive and self-motivated with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Team-oriented with ability to guide and mentor junior staff.
• Strong attention to detail and quality focus.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Client-focused with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Strong stakeholder management abilities.