Senior / Principal Vertical Transportation Design Engineer

slihrms; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Vertical Transportation (VT) engineer to lead the design and specification of lifts and escalators for diverse building projects across the UK. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, review submissions, and ensure technical excellence while supporting global initiatives.

The role requires strong knowledge of VT technologies, standards, and safety requirements, plus the ability to collaborate with clients and internal teams across locations.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering with lift/escalator experience.
• Experience in vertical transportation design across building types.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and specification of vertical transportation systems for commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.

Skills

Engineering degree

Lift & escalator knowledge

VE/traffic simulation tools

Stakeholder management

Client-facing skills

Leadership of delivery teams

Willingness to travel

Education

Engineering degree (e.g., BEng/MEng)

Lift-industry apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3/4

Tools

Elevate

BS EN standards knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is a leading global engineering and design consultancy offering the opportunity to grow your career while reshaping the world. As part of the Building Design Practice, you’ll join a collaborative and expanding team of Vertical Transportation specialists delivering innovative lift and escalator solutions across the UK and internationally. Working on projects spanning Aviation, Cities & Development, Defence, Education, Energy, Government, and Transportation, you’ll gain exposure to a diverse and exciting portfolio of high-profile developments. This role is flexible and can be based on any UK office and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and through AtkinsRéalis’ Global Design Centre. You’ll work both autonomously, under your own initiative and in a client-facing capacity and within international project teams, managing a varied portfolio of projects while developing your technical expertise within a prominent building design consultancy. AtkinsRéalis invests heavily in employee development, providing tailored career progression, exposure to landmark projects, opportunities to enhance digital capabilities, and the chance to become a recognised specialist in your field. AtkinsRéalis’ practice is committed to embracing emerging digital technologies and seeks professionals who can combine strong technical knowledge with innovation, customer focus, and the ability to contribute to the growth of a modern, digitally enabled engineering business.

This opportunity is available across multiple UK office locations.

Your role

Lead the design and specification of vertical transportation systems (lifts and escalators) for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments. Prepare technical reports, design calculations, specifications, and tender documentation. Conduct feasibility studies, traffic review, performance assessments, site surveys, and commissioning activities. Coordinate with architects, structural engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to integrate VT systems into building designs. Review and approve contractor submissions, shop drawings, and equipment selections. Provide technical guidance and subject matter expertise, including steering and managing large and diverse delivery teams locally and remotely to internal teams across the Buildings & Places practice. Manage client, supplier, and regulatory stakeholder relationships to ensure project objectives and compliance requirements are achieved. Stay current with industry regulations, standards, and emerging technologies while contributing to project delivery and technical excellence.

About you

• Degree-qualified in Engineering, completed a lift-industry apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3/4, or possess equivalent lift and escalator engineering experience.
• Proven experience in vertical transportation design across a range of building types within a consultancy or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of lift and escalator technologies, control systems, safety standards, and traffic simulation/evaluation tools (e.g., Elevate).
• Working knowledge of UK legislation, Building Regulations, CIBSE Guide D, BS EN 81, BS EN 115, accessibility requirements, fire and evacuation lift provisions, CDM regulations, and relevant client and sector-specific standards.
• Accreditation and recent experience for safe access and egress to lift car tops and lift pits (EOR 202).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and client-facing skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong evaluative, problem-solving, and innovative mindset, with a commitment to continuous improvement and digital transformation.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and working collaboratively with consultants and other stakeholders.
• Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer status is desirable but not essential. We welcome candidates actively pursuing professional registration and committed to ongoing professional development.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and internationally, and to obtain security clearance if required.

Rewards & 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.

Rewards and benefits - Careers at AtkinsRéalis

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 consult