Fire Alarm Design and Estimating Engineer

Position: Fire & Security Estimating Coordinator

Salary: 18,000 - 20,000/mo ZAR

Working Hours: Observing UK business hours

Holidays: Observing UK public holidays

Work Set-up: 100% Remote work under an Independent Contractor Agreement

Target Start Date: ASAP


Our client is a premier life safety and security specialist dedicated to protecting commercial, industrial, and residential properties. In this technical desk-based role, you will analyze architectural floor plans, site videos, and survey data to design fully compliant fire alarm and electronic security solutions. Your expertise in fire system layout and precision estimating will directly shape high-value project proposals and drive operational success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design Compliant Systems: Produce accurate layout proposals and equipment specifications for fire alarm systems based on architectural scale drawings and site survey intelligence.
• Analyze Site Media: Review floor plans, site survey notes, photos, and video footage to establish precise spatial constraints and installation scopes.
• Calculate Quantities & Labor: Estimate cable runs, device counts, power supply units, and labor requirements using remote desktop analysis.
• Prepare Commercial Proposals: Formulate itemized material lists, labor estimates, and accurate client-facing quotations while securing target profit margins.
• Manage Vendor Pricing: Obtain up-to-date component pricing from suppliers to optimize material costs and update quote records.
• Identify System Upgrades: Highlight opportunities to modernize legacy installations or add integrated security infrastructure during design reviews.
• Translate Engineering Findings: Convert complex field engineer notes and inspection logs into clear, actionable client quotes.
• Coordinate Stakeholders: Liaise with installation engineers, project teams, and client representatives to clarify technical ambiguities or arrange physical site visits when required.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Maintain full alignment with relevant manufacturer guidelines and British Standards (BS 5839, BS 5266, BS 7858, EN 50131/PD 6662).
• Support Field Operations: Provide technical guidance and design clarity to internal Service and Operations teams.

Requirements

• Fire Design Experience: Minimum of 1 year dedicated experience designing fire alarm systems to industry standards.
• Industry Background: Proven background in system estimating, technical desktop surveying, or design within the Fire and Security sector.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of fire detection systems, alongside familiarity with intruder alarms, IP CCTV, and access control.
• Drawing & Plan Literacy: Highly skilled at reading scale architectural drawings, schematic diagrams, and taking digital measurements.
• Standards Familiarity: Solid understanding of key British Standards governing fire safety installations (specifically BS 5839).
• Commercial Skills: Demonstrated ability to calculate unit margins, project costs, and produce accurate formal quotations.

Preferred Skills: (Nice-to-Haves)

• Field Background: Previous hands-on experience as an installation or service engineer.
• Digital Tools: Experience using CAD or PDF markup tools (e.g., Bluebeam) for digital takeoffs.
• Vendor Knowledge: Familiarity with major industry brands (e.g., Texecom, Hikvision, Paxton, C-TEC,  Ajax, EMS Smartcell, Pyronix).