Fire Safety Engineering Lead

The Fire Safety Engineering Lead will act as a technical subject matter expert responsible for leading fire and life safety engineering activities at KAUST. The role will provide technical leadership in fire engineering design reviews, compliance validation, fire risk assessments, inspections, investigations, and continuous improvement.

The position will also lead and mentor Fire Safety Engineers, support the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) framework, and ensure compliance with Saudi Building Code (SBC), NFPA, International Fire Code (IFC), and KAUST requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery and execution of fire and life safety engineering activities.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Fire Safety Engineers.
• Conduct technical reviews and compliance validation in accordance with KAUST procedures and delegated authorities.
• Review fire and life safety designs for new construction, renovations, research facilities, and high-hazard environments.
• Apply and interpret Saudi Building Code (SBC), NFPA, International Fire Code (IFC), and KAUST requirements.
• Conduct fire risk assessments and develop risk-based mitigation strategies.
• Oversee fire and life safety inspections, field assessments, system verifications, and incident investigations.
• Provide technical assurance for inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of fire protection systems.
• Review fire protection system deficiencies and escalate overdue or high-risk corrective actions.
• Lead or support investigations related to fire incidents, system failures, impairments, and unwanted fire alarms.
• Identify root causes and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and deliver fire and life safety training for engineering, operations, emergency response, and other personnel.
• Develop and maintain fire engineering standards, technical procedures, and guidance documents.
• Establish and monitor fire and life safety objectives, metrics, and KPIs.
• Analyze performance data, identify trends, and lead technical improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready technical, inspection, investigation, and compliance records.

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8+ years of professional experience in fire protection engineering, fire systems engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong practical knowledge of Saudi Building Code (SBC), NFPA, and International Fire Code (IFC).
• Proven experience in fire engineering design reviews and compliance validation.
• Proven experience conducting fire risk assessments and developing mitigation strategies.
• Experience with fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance activities.
• Experience leading or supporting fire incident investigations and corrective and preventive actions.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and mentoring technical engineering professionals.
• Strong knowledge of fire and life safety engineering principles and practices.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Professional Engineer (PE), or equivalent certification is preferred.
• Recognized fire protection or fire safety certifications such as NFPA CFPS, CFPE, CFAITMS, CWBSP, or NICET are preferred.