Principal Facade Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and author Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEW) in accordance with PAS 9980:2022, providing technically robust, defensible assessments across a range of building types and cladding systems.
• Act as the technical authority on external wall construction and facade engineering within Harmony’s MDT, providing expert input on cladding systems, fixings, cavity barriers, fire break arrangements, and external wall composition.
• Advise clients — including housing associations, local authorities, and building owners — on external wall compliance, remediation options, and risk management strategies under the Building Safety Act and associated regulatory framework.
• Provide technical oversight and peer review on complex facade remediation projects, ensuring proposed solutions are appropriate, technically sound, and compliant with relevant standards.
• Support pre-construction teams with facade-related technical input on tenders, specifications, and design reviews.
• Represent Harmony in client meetings, design team meetings, and at pre-construction stage, presenting technical findings clearly and credibly to clients and their advisors.
• Contribute to the development of Harmony’s facade engineering methodology, templates, and standard details, helping to build a scalable, repeatable approach to FRAEW and remediation advisory work.
• Work collaboratively within the MDT alongside fire engineers, building surveyors, and other specialists to deliver integrated, multi-disciplinary assessments and programmes.
• Keep abreast of changes to the regulatory framework, PAS 9980, Building Safety Act guidance, and relevant British Standards, ensuring Harmony’s approach remains current and compliant.
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues within the consultancy team, sharing technical knowledge and raising the standard of facade-related work across the function.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• An A-player mindset — high standards, extreme ownership and the drive to do things properly, the first time.
• Proven experience in facade engineering or external wall assessment, with a track record of delivering technically robust FRAEW reports to PAS 9980:2022.
• Deep technical knowledge of external wall systems and facade construction — including cladding systems, rainscreen facades, cavity barriers, fixings, fire breaks, and ACM and HPL panels.
• Strong working knowledge of the Building Safety Act, PAS 9980:2022, Approved Document B, and the regulatory framework governing higher-risk residential buildings.
• Experience advising housing associations, local authorities, or large building owners on external wall compliance and remediation.
• Comfortable operating as a senior technical authority — able to make and defend complex technical judgements under scrutiny.
• Excellent written communication skills — able to produce clear, concise, and technically defensible reports for clients and regulators.
• Strong stakeholder management skills — credible and authoritative at the highest client and consultant level.
• Degree in civil or structural engineering, architecture, building surveying, or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (IStructE, CIOB, RICS, CABE, or equivalent).
• London-based and available full time.

• Experience working on large-scale FRAEW or EWS1 programmes for major housing providers.
• Familiarity with the Lifeguard programme or similar government-backed remediation schemes.
• Experience producing or reviewing External Wall System (EWS1) assessments.

Benefits