Senior / Principal Design Engineer - Vertical Transportation Systems (Lifts and Escalators)

SNC-Lavalin; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior/Principal Vertical Transportation Design Engineer to lead design projects and ensure high-quality solutions in lifts and escalators. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and proven experience in vertical transportation design in various building types. This role offers competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in vertical transportation design across multiple building types.
• Strong understanding of lift and escalator technologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and specification of vertical transportation systems.
• Prepare technical reports and design documentation.
• Coordinate with architects and structural engineers.

Skills

Vertical transportation design

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering

NVQ Level 3 Lift & Escalator

Tools

Traffic simulation tools (e.g., Elevate, Liftdesigner)

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Grow your career while reshaping the world.

AtkinsRéalis Building Design Practice are looking for an experienced, motivated Senior/Principal Vertical Transportation (VT), lift and escalators Design Engineer looking to develop their career in a positive environment and join our team where talent is encouraged and growth opportunities unrivalled. This flexible and agile role can be based in one of our UK Offices to suit the successful candidate and presents the opportunity to join a national delivery team and work with designers across the UK and internationally through our Global Design Centre.

This opportunity will involve working as part of a national practice of Building Design professionals delivering Vertical Transportation, lift and escalators engineering design solutions to clients across the UK. The Building Design practice work on projects across all our focus markets, including Aviation, Cities & Development, Defence, Education, Energy, Government and Transportation.

The opportunity will require candidates to be able to work as part of an international team and single-handedly, under their own initiative in a client-facing role, as well as being involved in the day-to-day design and management of their varied portfolio of projects. It is an exciting opportunity for an experienced design engineer to further develop their career within a prominent building design consultancy. Our focus is on developing our staff to realise their full potential, with development plans geared to personal needs and abilities. This role will allow development of existing technical skills on unique, high profile, signature projects as well as providing potential to expand digital skills and become a prominent expert in your specialist knowledge area. Our Practice is committed to developing our ways of working using emerging Digital Technology and the global reach offered by an organisation of our size and reach. Our ideal individual will bring strong technical skills to the role, as well as an enquiring mind able to contribute to the growth of our digital practice, and the ability to inspire and manage large and diverse delivery teams, locally and remotely.

The breadth and interest in the projects across AtkinsRéalis are extremely interesting and allows a crossover between different solutions.

We invite you to bring your enthusiasm and expertise into play as you help develop a team of specialists in the field of lifts and escalators to contribute to innovative and high-quality design solutions. To succeed in this role, you must have technical skills and experience with a detailed knowledge of applicable Standards and Regulations. A customer focus to deliver what the client expects plus a bit more when necessary.

Your role

• Lead the design and specification of vertical transportation systems for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments.
• Prepare technical reports, design documentation, and tender packages.
• Coordinate with architects, structural engineers, and other disciplines to integrate VT systems into building designs.
• Conduct feasibility studies, traffic analysis, and performance assessments.
• Conduct site surveys and commissioning experience.
• Review and approve contractor submissions, shop drawings, and equipment selections.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Liaise with clients, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure project objectives are met.
• Stay updated with relevant codes, standards, and emerging technologies in vertical transportation.

About you

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering / NVQ Level 3 Lift & Escalator.
• Proven experience in vertical transportation design, ideally across multiple building types.
• Strong understanding of lift and escalator technologies, control systems, and safety standards.
• Familiarity with relevant codes and standards (e.g., EN 81, BS 5656, ISO standards).
• Experience in traffic simulation and analysis tools (e.g., Elevate, Liftdesigner).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) is desirable for Principal level.
• Experience working in a consultancy environment and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills and passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #LI-UK

Worker Type Employee

Job Type Regular

At AtkinsRéalis , we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.