Elevator Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department: Vertical Transportation

Location: Eden Prairie, MN

Lerch Bates is seeking an Elevator Consultant to join our Vertical Transportation team. This role supports a diverse portfolio of projects involving elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other conveyance systems across both new construction and existing buildings. Services may include vertical transportation design consulting, modernization planning, equipment assessments, maintenance audits, inspections, construction administration, and owner advisory services.

As an Elevator Consultant, you will serve as a trusted advisor to building owners, developers, architects, contractors, property managers, and project teams by providing technical expertise and practical solutions throughout all phases of a project's lifecycle. You will help clients optimize system performance, reliability, code compliance, passenger flow, lifecycle planning, and modernization strategies while supporting the successful delivery of both new and existing building projects.

This position is ideal for professionals with experience in the elevator industry, vertical transportation consulting, modernization, maintenance, inspections, design, or construction who enjoy solving complex technical challenges, managing projects, and building strong client relationships.

About Lerch Bates:

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit—it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company. 

What You’ll Do:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Project Management & Consulting

• Manage vertical transportation projects from planning through completion, including new construction consulting, modernization projects, equipment assessments, maintenance audits, inspections, and construction administration activities.
• Coordinate project scope, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and client communication to ensure quality execution and client satisfaction.
• Provide technical recommendations and guidance related to elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other vertical transportation systems.
• Support owners, architects, and project teams with system selection, modernization planning, traffic analysis, lifecycle planning, and operational evaluations.
• Prepare and communicate project updates, findings, and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, technologies, codes, and best practices.

Client Development & Relationship Management

• Develop and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to expand services within current client relationships.
• Participate in industry events, client meetings, presentations, and networking activities.
• Support business development efforts and market visibility initiatives.

Design, Assessment & Technical Services

• Conduct equipment reviews, inspections, maintenance audits, condition assessments, and field evaluations.
• Support vertical transportation design consulting efforts for new construction and major renovation projects.
• Review construction documents, shop drawings, specifications, and technical submittals.
• Evaluate equipment performance, code compliance, maintenance practices, and modernization requirements.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, studies, and project documentation.
• Provide project updates and technical guidance to clients and internal teams.

Construction Administration & Field Services

• Perform site visits and construction observations to support project delivery and quality objectives.
• Monitor installation progress and assist with issue resolution during construction and modernization activities.
• Travel as needed to support project and client requirements.
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during field activities and site visits.
• Perform work in active construction environments and occupied buildings as required.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5+ years of experience in the elevator, vertical transportation, or related industry.
• Experience with vertical transportation design consulting, modernization, maintenance audits, inspections, construction administration, or equipment management.
• Strong knowledge of vertical transportation systems including elevators, escalators, moving walks, and related equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable industry codes, standards, and safety requirements, including ASME codes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with clients, building owners, architects, contractors, consultants, and project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work independently and within a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience with CAD or drawing review software preferred.
• QEI, CEI, or similar industry certifications preferred; equivalent elevator industry experience may be considered in lieu of certification.

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive base salary of $135,000 - $152,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Annual performance-based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
• 100% Employee-Owned ESOP (company-funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company's long-term success)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 6% employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Become an Employee-Owner

One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.

As Lerch Bates grows, employee-owners share in the company's success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).

When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company's success.

Core Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Working Environment:

This position is performed in a combination of office, client, and field environments. Work regularly takes place in occupied buildings, active construction sites, mechanical rooms, elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, and other vertical transportation spaces.

Travel throughout the assigned service area is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Demands:

This position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and navigating active construction sites and existing buildings.

Employees may be required to work at heights, access elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, rooftops, and other confined spaces while wearing appropriate PPE. The position may require lifting or carrying equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Travel by automobile and occasional air travel may be required.

Mental Demands:

This position requires strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills. Employees must interpret technical drawings, specifications, maintenance records, inspection reports, and applicable codes and standards while exercising sound professional judgment.

The role requires managing multiple projects, coordinating with clients and contractors, preparing technical reports, and communicating complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.