Lift engineers install, service and repair lifts, escalators and moving walkways.


Typical Salary

£22,000 – £45,000

per year

Working Hours

40–45

hours per week

Career Area

Metal working production and maintenance fitters

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As a lift engineer, you would:

  • interpret wiring and layout diagrams on jobs
  •  install and calibrate lift control systems
  •  refurbish interiors, panel displays, lighting and message systems
  •  service and repair customer lifts and escalators
  •  carry out safety checks and record results
  •  respond to emergency breakdown call-outs
  •  produce risk assessment reports and legal and insurance documents

Skills needed

  • practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
  • problem-solving skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of public safety and security 
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

Career progression

With experience, you could move into:

  • supervisory management
  •  project management
  •  lift engineering design
  •  technical sales
  •  safety inspection

You could also use your skills to work in the wider building services engineering sector.