Cento
Junior Design Engineer – Fire Systems

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Salary: Up to £30,000, depending on experience
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00
Location: Gillingham, Kent
Contract: Permanent
Holiday: 25 days per annum, plus Bank Holidays
The Opportunity
We're working with an established and growing specialist in fire and security systems to recruit a Junior Design Engineer – Fire Systems to join their Projects Design Team in Gillingham.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their fire systems design career who is looking to develop their technical skills within a supportive and experienced team. You'll work alongside experienced engineers, gaining practical exposure to system design, technical calculations, site surveys, tender reviews, and project coordination.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge while contributing to the delivery of safe, accurate, and professional fire system designs.
Key Responsibilities
As a Junior Design Engineer, you'll support the design team with:
- Producing small fire system designs in accordance with BS 5839-1, using AutoCAD.
- Reading and interpreting client specifications, technical drawings, and tender documentation.
- Supporting Lead Design Engineers with loop calculations, battery calculations, and configuration reviews.
- Producing accurate As-Fitted drawings and ensuring project information is correctly captured.
- Preparing clear take-off information using Countfire or manual methods.
- Attending RCP meetings and supporting the coordination of design changes with contractors and clients.
- Carrying out site visits alongside Project Managers to understand installation requirements and feed design updates back to the team.
- Supporting the wider Projects team with design and technical requirements as needed.
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You'll enjoy a varied role, with a typical week involving a combination of CAD design, tender reviews, calculations, meetings, As-Fitted drawings, and site surveys.
About You
We're looking for someone with a genuine interest in fire systems and a desire to build a career within technical design.
You'll Ideally Have
- Experience using AutoCAD and confidence working from technical drawings.
- Some knowledge, training, or practical exposure to BS 5839-1 fire system design.
- An interest in fire detection systems and wider life safety technologies.
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to your work.
- Good organizational and time-management skills.
- A proactive and flexible attitude with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Good communication skills and the confidence to work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and contractors.
- A willingness to learn and develop your technical knowledge.


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Experience with related systems such as voice alarm, security, or gas suppression would be advantageous but is not essential.
What's on Offer?
This is a great opportunity to join a supportive technical team where you'll receive guidance from experienced engineers and have genuine opportunities to develop your career.
The Wider Benefits Package Includes
- Salary of up to £30,000, depending on experience.
- 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- An additional day off for your birthday.
- Company pension scheme.
- Medicash health plan supporting everyday healthcare costs and wellbeing.
- Training and development programmes.
- Support towards professional qualifications and career progression, including apprenticeships.
- Company parking.
- Wellbeing support, including access to mental health resources.
- Employee discount scheme.
- Generous employee referral scheme.
If you're looking for your next step into fire systems design and want to develop your career with an established and forward-thinking business, we'd be keen to hear from you.
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