Associate Director - Vertical Transportation

About the role

WSP in the Middle East is looking for an experienced Associate Director / Associate in Vertical Transportation to join its team in Dubai, UAE. The ideal candidate is a qualified, time-served elevator and escalator engineer with at least 15 years' experience designing vertical transportation systems for buildings, including as a consultant, and fluent in the EN81 suite of codes and standards.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver specialist vertical transportation design and supervision services across built-environment projects, ensuring code-compliant solutions.
• Conduct traffic analysis using VT simulation and performance-analysis software to optimise system efficiency.
• Develop technical design proposals and reports with engineering rationale, system selection and calculations.
• Provide site supervision, including inspection and acceptance testing of complex installations.
• Coordinate with local authorities, third-party inspectors and clients, and review contractor submissions such as shop drawings, as-built docs, method statements, O&M manuals and test protocols.
• Coordinate IT, telecom, ELV and security interfaces with VT installations and attend coordination meetings with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Liaise with the main contractor and consultant project engineers, prepare weekly progress reports and monitor site progress with supplier supervisors.
• Work with Architecture, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and ELV teams, and take part in design reviews and technical discussions.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in VT design consultancy across major building and infrastructure developments, with extensive Middle East experience.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams and strong client-facing and project delivery skills.
• Experience supporting business development initiatives.

Required skills

• Expert knowledge of VT systems, international codes and standards.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit and BIM workflows, and related VT design software.
• Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.