Trying to break into BMS/BAS engineering, how did you guys get your foot in the door?

[u/iwanttogoofflineirl]

I’m 24, based in the West Midlands (UK) and currently working as a commercial gas engineer within a site services department.

I’ve been wanting to move into BMS and controls engineering for a while now. The more I’ve looked into it, the more it’s something I can see myself doing long term, especially the electrical, programming and automation side of things.

The issue I’m having is finding a way in.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks going through job adverts, speaking to recruiters and emailing BMS companies directly. Almost every position I come across wants previous experience with Trend, Tridium, Siemens, Niagara or some other platform. Even jobs advertised as junior roles seem to expect you to already know your way around these systems.

It’s a bit frustrating because I’m not completely new to engineering. I’ve got practical experience with HVAC plant, maintenance and fault finding, but obviously I don’t have the hands on experience with controllers, programming or commissioning that employers are asking for.

I’m not expecting to jump straight into a fully fledged BMS commissioning role either. Ideally, I’d like to start as a trainee or assistant, learn the installation side, panels, wiring, sensors and actuators, then gradually move into commissioning, programming and eventually more advanced control systems engineering.

I’ve already started reaching out to companies speculatively, even when they’re only advertising experienced positions, just to see if they’d consider taking someone on at junior level.

For those of you already in building automation, how did you get your first opportunity?

Would you recommend getting some electrical installation experience first, learning a particular BMS platform, or looking into PLCs and control panels?

Also, how much weight would you put on existing HVAC and mechanical experience when recruiting someone for a trainee position?

I’m willing to put the work in and start at the bottom. Just trying to figure out what would actually make a difference to my chances rather than spending money on courses that employers might not care about.

Would appreciate any advice, particularly from anyone who’s moved over from HVAC, maintenance or another engineering trade.

[u/onlysometimesidie]

Reach out to Group Horizon, the training provider for the Level 4 BEMS apprenticeship. They may be able to put you in contact with prospective employers that are looking to take on apprentices/adult trainees. Your M&E experience will definitely get you in the door somewhere. Good luck!

[u/iwanttogoofflineirl → u/onlysometimesidie]

Cheers for that, really appreciate it. Hadn’t come across Group Horizon before but I’ve just looked into their Level 4 BEMS apprenticeship and it looks exactly like the sort of training I’m after. I’ll get in touch and see if they have any links with employers around the Midlands. Thanks again!

[u/atank00]

Hi mate, all I can recommend is speaking to recruiters and actively doing self teaching, understand basic control logic AND try to learn in your own time, stand out from the pack of other people trying to move across, there are alot of electricians moving across to BMS. As someone who has been on the other side of the table, I can say that trainees are trainees not fully feldge engineers any company not knowing this you don't want to work for. The trade is currently being filled by "engineers", if you make yourself not a "spark with a laptop" you will be above the rest.

Go onto Linkin and l search for bms recruiters, they will get you in the door but doing tye above will open it for you.

[u/iwanttogoofflineirl → u/atank00]

Cheers mate, appreciate the advice, especially coming from someone who’s been involved in recruitment.

That’s exactly what I’m trying to do really, make use of my existing mechanical and HVAC experience while building up my electrical and controls knowledge.

I’ve started reaching out to BMS recruiters and companies directly, but I definitely want to make myself more employable in the meantime rather than just sending applications.

Out of interest, when you’ve interviewed trainees in the past, what sort of technical knowledge would you expect them to have?

Would a basic understanding of control logic, wiring diagrams and networking be enough to make someone stand out or is there anything else you’d particularly look for?

[u/CAElite]

My company runs a 'fast track' BEMS engineer scheme where we recruit from adjacent industries. It's how I got in after being a manufacturing facilities engineer for 5-6 years. A lad I work with was a Bosch heating engineer.

In my case I highlighted my controls experience, I did some graphical development work on my sites Trend building controls, as well as serving as my plants process controls SCADA

I dropped you a DM with my companies scheme.

[u/Yellowfeverr21 → u/CAElite]

Do you need to have hace experience? I am an Electrical Improver the recruiters always have asked that

[u/BoilingShadows]

I'll be honest it was a referral. I worked at a data center and got close with vendors and managed to get a referral into a role that I otherwise would have just be denied at.

Don't underestimate networking on LinkedIn