Senior / Principal Vertical Transportation Engineer in Manchester

Grow your career while reshaping the world. Location: UK. 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 join a growing 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 to all disciplines within the Buildings and Places Team within AtkinsRéalis.
• 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.
• Accreditation and recent experience for access and egress to lift car tops and lift pits (EOR 202).
• 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 Senior / Principal level but not essential.
• Experience working in a consultancy environment or alongside consultants, and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills and passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Flexible working is supported, however, infrequent travel throughout the UK and on occasion internationally will be required to fulfil this role.

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.

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.

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. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.