Fire Safety Engineer (Saudi Arabia)

The Fire Safety Engineer is responsible for delivering technical fire and life safety engineering activities across KAUST under the direction of the Fire Safety Engineering Lead. The role supports KAUST's delegated Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) governance framework by conducting technical reviews, field assessments, inspections, compliance verification, fire risk assessments, and technical investigations within approved KAUST procedures and delegated authorities. The role prepares technical recommendations for review and approval through the Lead, Fire Safety Engineer and the Health and Safety Manager, as applicable.

The Fire Safety Engineer also supports compliance with Saudi Civil Defense requirements, Saudi Building Code (SBC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Fire Code (IFC), and KAUST requirements by maintaining audit-ready evidence, verifying fire protection system performance, supporting Civil Defense-related documentation and inspections where applicable, and escalating significant fire and life safety risks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fire and life safety engineering reviews, assessments, inspections, and field verifications.
• Review fire safety requirements for new construction, renovations, research facilities, high-hazard areas, and fire protection systems.
• Ensure compliance with SBC, NFPA, IFC, KAUST requirements, and Saudi Civil Defense requirements.
• Conduct fire risk assessments, inspections, system verification, and compliance checks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Review and maintain fire safety documentation, drawings, test certificates, inspection records, ITM records, and deficiency closure evidence.
• Coordinate with Projects, Facilities, contractors, consultants, Fire & Emergency Services, and other stakeholders to resolve fire safety issues.
• Provide technical assurance for Inspection, Testing & Maintenance (ITM) of fire protection systems and monitor corrective actions.
• Participate in testing, commissioning, acceptance, and functional verification of fire alarms, suppression systems, smoke control, passive fire protection, fire doors, barriers, and egress systems.
• Support investigations of fire incidents, unwanted alarms, system failures, and impairments, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in fire protection engineering, fire systems engineering, fire prevention, or fire & life safety compliance.
• Experience with fire protection system inspection, testing, commissioning, and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of SBC, NFPA, IFC, and preferably Saudi Civil Defense requirements.
• Experience reviewing fire protection designs, technical drawings, specifications, inspection reports, testing documents, and compliance records.
• Experience with deficiency management, corrective actions, and closeout.
• Experience working in complex environments such as universities, research facilities, industrial facilities, healthcare, mixed-use communities, or large campuses.
• Valid Saudi/GCC driver's license or valid driver's license as applicable.
• Fire safety/protection certifications such as CFPS, CFPE, CFAITMS, CWBSP, NICET, IFE, or equivalent are preferred.