Lab Technician - Fire Protection

Job description
Start Your Career in Fire Safety – Join BRE as a Lab Technician

Looking for a hands-on role that makes a real impact? At BRE, we're offering an exciting opportunity to kick-start your career as a Lab Technician within our industry-leading Fire Protection team. You'll be working in our world-class laboratories, supporting vital testing and research that helps shape safer buildings and infrastructure across the UK and beyond. If you're practical, curious, and eager to learn, this is your chance to build a career with purpose.

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!
BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE
The Lab Technician supports the Fire Protection team by preparing and assisting in the execution of fire testing activities in compliance with relevant standards. This role plays a key part in ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks
• Assist in the preparation of test specimens in line with required testing standards and procedures
• Support the setup, maintenance, and operation of testing equipment and tools
• Carry out manual handling and physical tasks in a safe and controlled environment
• Follow instructions to ensure accurate and timely completion of test-related activities
• Contribute to safe laboratory practices and housekeeping standards
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to meet daily operational goals
• Maintain accurate records of materials, setups, and test progress as required
• Engage in on-the-job training to develop technical skills relevant to the role

What we are looking for

Essential Criteria
• Willingness to perform manual and physically demanding tasks in a laboratory environment
• Ability to follow instructions and work safely in accordance with health and safety procedures
• Good communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues
• A positive attitude toward learning and developing practical skills through on-the-job training
• Basic numeracy and literacy to follow procedures and complete documentation
• Reliability and punctuality to support consistent day-to-day operations

Desirable Criteria
• Experience using hand tools and power tools in a work or practical setting
• Previous experience in a technical, construction, manufacturing, or warehouse environment
• Forklift truck (FLT), overhead crane, or similar equipment training/certification
• Awareness of basic health and safety practices in a lab or industrial environment
• Familiarity with working to procedures or technical standards
• GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in subjects such as science, maths, or technology

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial Security Benefits
• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution
• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary
• Enhanced maternity package

Health Wellbeing
• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more
• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development
• Learning development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform
• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Work Location Options

On-Site – This role requires full-time presence at our Watford office. You must live within a commutable distance.

Our Recruitment Process

Online Assessment

Shortly after you apply (within approximately 10 minutes), you’ll receive a link to complete an online assessment. This takes around 20 minutes and helps us better understand your skills and suitability.

Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. Read more