Design Manager - Fire Suppression

A great opportunity has arisen for a hands-on design manager in the fire suppression / protection industry to join a leading, expanding company with fantastic future plans.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead, manage, and personally contribute to the design of water mist fire suppression systems.
Produce, review, and approve designs, technical drawings, hydraulic calculations, modelling, and supporting documentation.
Ensure all design output complies with LPC, LPCB, BS:8489, and other relevant fire engineering standards.
Provide expert input into complex or specialist projects.
Oversee effective use of design software, modelling tools, and component selection.
Manage, mentor, and develop an internal design team.
Set and enforce design standards, best practices, and quality expectations.
Conduct performance reviews and support ongoing professional development.
Ensure all designs meet or exceed LPCB standards, including strict adherence to LPS 1283, LPS 1223, and related requirements.
Maintain in‑depth knowledge of regulations, standards, and industry developments.
Liaise with clients, consultants, inspectors, and accreditation bodies as required.
Conduct quality audits across technical documentation and installed systems.
Work closely with project, installation, commissioning, and commercial teams.
Provide technical input for tenders, bids, and project specifications.
Attend client meetings, surveys, coordination workshops, and design reviews.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

LPC or LPCB‑relevant fire suppression qualifications
Experience working to LPS 1283, LPS 1223, or equivalent industry standards.
5+ years' experience designing fire suppression systems
Strong understanding of British Standards, building regulations, and fire engineering principles.
Proficiency with CAD, hydraulic calculation platforms, and associated design tools.
Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
Excellent communication, documentation, and problem‑solving skills.
Experience working within a third‑party approved fire suppression organisation.
Professional registration (IFE, EngTech, IEng, or similar) or working towards it.
Strong commercial awareness and the ability to support tenders and pricing.
A mindset focused on continuous improvement and raising technical standards.

Additional Details:

Competitive salary (DOE)
Company benefits package
Training and professional development opportunities
Career progression within a growing technical organisation