Senior Manager - Fire, Life Safety Planning (MAS291)

Qiddiya City – one of the world’s largest greenfield entertainment and sports cities, spanning a 366 km² masterplan in Saudi Arabia, comprising complex infrastructure, transportation systems, hospitality assets, entertainment venues, stadia, mixed-use developments and residential districts across all stages of planning, design and construction.

Depth of experience in a specific area: Extensive experience in Fire & Life Safety (FLS) engineering and design across complex masterplans, infrastructure and high-profile asset developments, with strong expertise in both prescriptive and performance-based fire engineering design. Demonstrated capability in developing and reviewing FLS strategies, smoke management systems, evacuation and egress strategies, firefighting access and emergency response planning, fire water infrastructure and integrated fire protection systems for large-scale and technically complex developments.

Strong understanding of Saudi Building Code (SBC), NFPA standards, IBC, IFC, Saudi Civil Defence requirements and relevant international fire engineering standards, with the ability to assess design compliance, alternative solutions and authority requirements across all project stages.

Role summary: The role supports the Master Developer Unit (MDU) Fire & Life Safety (FLS) team by leading and delivering specialist fire engineering, design review and advisory services across city-wide masterplanning, infrastructure and asset development projects. The post-holder is responsible for the development and review of FLS strategies and performance-based fire engineering solutions, while providing engineering leadership and guidance to internal stakeholders, Lead Design Consultants (LDCs), third-party FLS consultants and project delivery teams across all stages of design and construction.

Core responsibilities:

• Lead the development and assurance of Fire & Life Safety design strategies across complex buildings, infrastructure, public realm, transport interfaces and large-scale masterplanned developments.
• Act as a senior FLS engineering authority, providing clear direction on code compliance, design adequacy, fire strategy, life safety risk and buildability.
• Review and challenge FLS design submissions, drawings, reports and calculations prepared by consultants, ensuring issues are identified early and resolved with robust engineering solutions.
• Develop and assess fire engineering solutions for complex or non-standard designs, including alternative solutions, smoke control, evacuation, compartmentation, firefighting access and firefighting provisions.
• Advise on the application of Saudi Building Code, Saudi Civil Defence requirements, NFPA standards and relevant international best practice across planning, design and construction stages.
• Coordinate with architects, MEP, infrastructure, mobility, operations and delivery teams to ensure FLS requirements are properly integrated into the design, not treated as late-stage compliance comments.
• Support authority engagement and third-party FLS reviews by preparing clear engineering positions, resolving comments and defending the design intent where required.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fire Engineering is preferred; alternatively, candidates may hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or another related engineering discipline from a recognized university.Holding one of the following certifications is an advantage:

• Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) or equivalent professional body
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional registration
• Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)
• NFPA Certifications
• Performance-Based Fire Engineering, CFD Modelling or Smoke Control related certifications/training
• PMP or equivalent project/design management certification is desirable for multidisciplinary coordination roles
• 8–15 years’ experience in Fire & Life Safety engineering and design across large-scale mixed-use, infrastructure, hospitality, entertainment, transportation or giga-project developments.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, reviewing and coordinating Fire & Life Safety strategies across all project stages including masterplanning, concept, schematic, detailed design and construction support.
• Strong engineering expertise in means of egress, smoke management, firefighting access, fire water infrastructure, fire alarm and suppression systems, and passive fire protection systems.
• Experience in performance-based fire engineering design including alternative solutions, smoke modelling, evacuation analysis and complex code compliance assessments.
• Strong understanding of Saudi Building Code (SBC), NFPA standards, IBC, IFC, Saudi Civil Defence requirements and relevant international fire engineering standards and best practices.