Cable​/Gondola Vehicle System Engineer; Installation & Commissioning

Cable/Gondola Vehicle System Engineer (Installation & Commissioning)

Lea+Elliott is seeking a highly skilled Cable / Gondola Vehicle System Engineer to serve in an Owner’s Representative / oversight capacity supporting the installation, testing, and commissioning of a passenger ropeway system at Newark Liberty International Airport.

This role will provide technical oversight, monitoring, and verification of field engineering activities associated with mechanical and electrical system installation, ensuring compliance with applicable safety and performance standards (ANSI, CEN, or equivalent).

The successful candidate will work closely with contractors, system suppliers, and client stakeholders to monitor progress, verify compliance, and facilitate issue resolution, ensuring the system is delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high‑profile, complex transportation project within a multidisciplinary consulting environment.

• Monitor and oversee on‑site installation, assembly, and alignment of rope‑hailed transit vehicles, detachable and fixed grips, hauling ropes, and station equipment verifying conformance with the contract requirements.
• Witness, review, and validate system testing and commissioning activities, including speed verification, acceleration and deceleration testing, and emergency system validation.
• Observe and verify rope installation operations, including pulling, splicing, tensioning, and alignment of wire ropes.
• Ensure all installation and commissioning activities comply with applicable codes and standards, including ANSI B77.1, CSA Z98, and CEN, as well as project‑specific safety requirements.
• Identify and resolve mechanical and electrical issues during installation and commissioning, advise the Owner on resolution strategies and monitor contractor corrective actions, managing punch list items through final system acceptance.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including commissioning plans, test procedures, reports, and system verification records, providing independent assessments of contractor deliverables and system readiness.
• Coordinate with system suppliers, contractors, third‑party inspectors, and client representatives to support efficient project execution and issue resolution.

• B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or a related field).
• Registered Professional Engineering (PE) license preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in installation and commissioning of passenger ropeway systems, including gondolas, rope‑hailed transit vehicles, or chairlifts.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, including gears, bearings, and hydraulic systems.
• Experience with electrical systems, including sensors, motor drives, and PLC‑based controls.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, blueprints, and electrical schematics.
• Hands‑on experience with rigging, splicing, and tensioning specialized wire ropes preferred.

• Ability to work on‑site for extended periods during installation and commissioning phases.
• Experience supporting the evaluation of change orders and claims for rope‑hailed equipment, including technical review of scope, cost, and schedule impacts, and providing input to support contract decisions and negotiations.
• Ability to assess and document commercial risks during installation and commissioning of rope‑hailed equipment, including preparation of clear technical narratives to support equitable adjustments and dispute resolution efforts.

• Work on high‑visibility transportation projects, including major airport transit systems.
• Collaborate with industry‑leading experts in automated transit, ropeway systems, and system integration.
• Contribute to the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Opportunity for technical leadership and career advancement within a growing practice.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Be part of an Employee‑Owned organization.

Lea+Elliott is a transportation consulting firm that works with owners on the planning, design, procurement, implementation and operation and maintenance of rail, and automated transit systems.

Lea+Elliott is an equal opportunity employer.