Senior Manager - Fire, Life Safety Planning (MAS291)

Role Overview

Senior Manager - Fire, Life Safety Planning (MAS291) at Qiddiya Investment Company. The role is based in Saudi Arabia, supporting the development of Qiddiya City, a 366 km² greenfield entertainment and sports city masterplan.

Company Overview

Qiddiya City is one of the world's largest greenfield entertainment and sports cities in Saudi Arabia. The development spans 366 km² and comprises complex infrastructure, transportation systems, hospitality assets, entertainment venues, stadia, mixed-use developments and residential districts across all stages of planning, design and construction.

Role Purpose

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.

Key Responsibilities

Fire & Life Safety Strategy & Design

• Lead the development and assurance of Fire & Life Safety design strategies across complex buildings, infrastructure, public realm, transport interfaces and large-scale masterplanned developments.
• Develop and assess fire engineering solutions for complex or non-standard designs, including alternative solutions, smoke control, evacuation, compartmentation, firefighting access and firefighting provisions.
• Review and challenge FLS design submissions, drawings, reports and calculations prepared by consultants, ensuring issues are identified early and resolved with robust engineering solutions.

Engineering Leadership & Advisory

• Act as a senior FLS engineering authority, providing clear direction on code compliance, design adequacy, fire strategy, life safety risk and buildability.
• 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.
• Support authority engagement and third-party FLS reviews by preparing clear engineering positions, resolving comments and defending the design intent where required.

Stakeholder Coordination

• 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.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Engineering; alternatively, degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or another related engineering discipline from a recognized university.
• 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.

Skills & Competencies

• Extensive experience in Fire & Life Safety (FLS) engineering and design across complex masterplans, infrastructure and high-profile asset developments.
• 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.
• Knowledge of fire water infrastructure and integrated fire protection systems for large-scale and technically complex developments.
• Ability to assess design compliance, alternative solutions and authority requirements across all project stages.

Additional Information

• Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) or equivalent professional body is an advantage.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional registration is an advantage.
• Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) certification is an advantage.
• NFPA Certifications are an advantage.
• Performance-Based Fire Engineering, CFD Modelling or Smoke Control related certifications or training are an advantage.
• PMP or equivalent project or design management certification is desirable for multidisciplinary coordination roles.