Technical Director - Fire Engineer

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Limited (WJE) is seeking a highly motivated and well-established Fire Engineer to join our team in London as a Technical Director responsible for helping to lead the continued development of our fire engineering practice.

The Company 

Founded in 1956, WJE is an interdisciplinary firm of over 600 engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid challenging problems in the built world. With projects across the Americas, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, our project teams comprise of internationally recognized industry leaders, known for our principles-first, hands-on, problem-solving approach. 

In 2014, with the increasing globalization of our practice and growing demand from our clients, WJE began developing a plan for expansion into the UK and Europe that led to the establishment of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Limited in London. Today, our London office includes expertise in facade engineering, facade fire protection, building physics, adaptive reuse, and conservation with active project work across the UK and throughout Europe.

The materials scientists and engineers of the Janney Technical Center – WJE’s US-based, state-of-the-art testing and applied research facility – employ a full array of chemistry, petrography, metallurgy, concrete and mortar, corrosion, environmental exposure, and structural testing capabilities. 

We provide a wide range of services to our clients, including but not limited to structural engineering (buildings, infrastructure, other), architecture (enclosure consulting, building science, historic preservation), fire protection engineering, field testing, on-site investigation, and forensics. 

WJE employs extraordinary people at all levels of our organization — people with outstanding character, a lifelong-learner mindset, a strong desire to be innovative and excel, and a willingness to work as part of a team. We offer competitive compensation, a flexible work environment, and a culture of trust and personal responsibility, where our people are given the resources and the latitude to thrive professionally. 

The Opportunity 

As a Technical Director, you will be integral to the advancement of WJE’s emerging fire engineering practice across the United Kingdom and Europe. This is a special opportunity to build a practice of your own, supported by the resources, reputation, and longevity of our team in London and our firm, which was founded in 1956 and includes 647engineers, architects, and materials scientists with extensive combined experience in facade engineering, building science, and the physics of building enclosure and whole building performance.

As a practice leader in our London office, you will provide technical expertise in the UK market, while collaborating with interdisciplinary project teams locally and company wide. You will apply your deep understanding of fire engineering principles, leverage advanced technologies and simulation capabilities, and interpret current and historic building codes to make sound judgments and deliver innovative yet practical fire strategies.

Specific areas of inquiry in this practice include rapid assessment and implementation of actionable, cost-effective solutions to address challenging new designs, existing building conditions, and sudden failures (including facade fires). Projects may include investigation, troubleshooting and repair design for existing buildings, design, detailing, peer review, and specialty consulting for new construction.

Responsibilities will extend beyond technical execution and management of project work, including opportunities for fostering new and existing client relationships, building and mentoring a team to meet the demands of your growing practice, contributing to in-house research and development initiatives, and establishing an industry presence through participation in professional organizations and committees.

The Candidate 

The ideal candidate is motivated to build up an emerging practice, intellectually curious and able to tackle complex assignments, committed to providing technically sound and practical solutions, independent and resourceful, and effective in team building and collaboration across skill levels.

Additional qualifications include: 

• Chartered Fire Engineer

• Advanced degree in fire engineering or related field 

• 10 or more years of relevant industry experience

Preference will be given to a proven leader, who has successfully developed and managed a small practice (or professional practice area within a larger firm) that is recognized within the local profession and industry at large.

WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry-leading benefits:

• Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity.

• Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above-market total compensation.

A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range:

£81,680.00 - £136,130.00

WJE’s industry-leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits, including:

• Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high-deductible PPO options

• Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately

• Time off to care for yourself and others

• Investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development

Learn more about WJE’s total rewards package here.