Building services engineer

Building services engineers design building services such as lifts, lighting or heating in buildings. They often focus on reducing energy usage, using new technologies. Building services engineers spend some time on-site supervising the installation of the services that they have designed.

Also known as:

Environmental engineer

Work activities

Building services engineers design building services systems. They also supervise their installation and operation. These systems include air conditioning, heating, lighting and power, lifts and fume control. A focus of their work is often to reduce energy usage. Certain types of buildings need complex building services. For example, computer rooms need very sensitive controls of temperature and humidity, and hospital operating theatres must be completely sterile. Buildings such as swimming pools, museums and leisure centres also have special requirements.

Some building services engineers are mainly office-based as they might specialise in design work. They work closely with the architect, the client and other members of the design team to prepare a design for a building project. Designs must meet environmental needs, use energy efficiently and meet the budget set by the customer. Engineers need overall knowledge of the full range of building services, although they usually specialise in either mechanical services or lighting/electrical services. Building services engineers maintain close links with other professionals such as the construction manager and the surveyor to decide how many staff are needed and to work out costs. They supervise the installation of the building services and inspect the quality of the work, dealing with any problems that arise.

Personal qualities and skills

As a building services engineer, you’ll need:

To be a good teamworker as you will work closely with various construction professionals.
A creative and enquiring mind and an ability to solve problems.
To be a good communicator, as you have to explain ideas and designs to other members of the team.
An interest in protecting the environment, as you’ll have to find the best ways for organisations to use energy.
IT skills.
An interest in how buildings are built.
To be aware of the importance of health and safety in this industry.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Newly qualified building services engineers earn in the range £28,000, rising to as much as £51,000 with experience.

Building services engineers work a 39-41-hour week, with occasional evening and weekend work according to the demands of the project.

Employers include large building services contractors, central and local government departments, small building firms, design consultancies and building suppliers. Some engineers go into research and development work. Opportunities for building services engineers occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK, and worldwide.

What’s happening in this work area?

The industry is at the forefront of the development of new environmental technologies, including renewable energy sources. Experts in low carbon technologies are going to be in increasing demand.

Where are vacancies advertised?

A good place to look for vacancies is the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Journal website. Vacancies are also advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

The most direct route into this career is to study for a relevant engineering degree that has been accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). There are also foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDs available in building services engineering. These can be used to progress to full degree courses or are acceptable for trainee posts. However, check carefully that the degree course you progress to is accredited. For a full list of accredited courses, check the CIBSE website.

Alternatively, you could do a level 6 degree apprenticeship as a building services design engineer. This route allows you to train on the job while working towards your degree on day or block release, paid for by your employer.

After getting a degree, you must have a period of approved training and experience with an employer to become fully qualified.

Experienced engineers can move into senior positions, e.g. chief engineer. Other routes may be to partner in a consultancy firm, a technical director, or into project management.

Qualifications

To enter a relevant degree course, you will usually need:

Two to three A-levels, including maths and/or physics.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English.

Other qualifications are often acceptable as alternatives to A levels, for example:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

To do a relevant HNC, HND or foundation degree, you will usually need:

One A-level. Maths and science subjects are useful.
A GCSE at grade 9-4 in your A-level subject.
A further three to four GCSEs at grades 9-4.

If you wish to enter this career through a degree Apprenticeships, you will need two relevant A-levels/equivalent as well as GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Adult entrants are usually qualified or experienced in a related field of engineering or construction.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers offers alternative routes to membership for adults with suitable skills. If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges. Various institutions offer HNCs or degrees, in relevant subjects, via part-time evening study, or distance learning.

A range of colleges and universities offer degrees in engineering, including at Master’s level. Study can be part time/flexible or via distance learning. Courses have been developed in partnership with industry.

Related careers

Civil engineer
Engineer
Facilities manager
Mechanical engineer
Structural engineer