1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Lift engineer

Lift engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Lift service technician, escalator engineer

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

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 45 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Lift engineer

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get a trainee position.

Relevant courses include:

  • maintenance engineering technology
  • building services engineering
  • mechanical or electrical engineering

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a lift repair company, for example:

  • Stairlift, Platform Lift and Service Lift Electro-Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Lift and Escalator Electro-Mechanic Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to join a lift engineering company as a new starter and do on-the-job training through the Lift and Escalator Industry Association.

As your career develops you could go on to complete a Higher National Certificate and Diploma in Lift and Escalator Technology.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant qualifications and experience in electrical, electro-mechanical or building services engineering.

More Information

Career tips

You may need to travel to other parts of the country for some commercial and industrial contracts.

Further information

You can get more details about careers in maintenance engineering from the Lift and Escalator Industry Association and Neon.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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

Working environment

You could work at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped, dirty and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and 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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Stairlift Engineer

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: 4D Gatwick Metro Centre, Balcombe Road, Horley

Courses In England

LANCS Degree Mechanical Engineering

  • Provider: FURNESS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: BARROW-IN-FURNESS

HNC Engineering (Mechanical)

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Castleford

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.