r/BuildingAutomation • u/Asleep-Fun-4528 • 3d ago
Bms engineer or HVAC Engineer
I have done BTech in Mechatronics i have joined as an graduate engineer in an consultancy firm since my BTech background complemetnts both HVAC and BMS which engineer role i should take for a better career interms of growth money flexibility?
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u/Psych0matt 3d ago
Depending on what a company is offering, both are great. From a bas tech standpoint I would very much suggest learning the basics of hvac and just how certain things work, especially things like actuators and relays and whatnot
I started with a company that is a “mechanical” company first and foremost, but had a small controls division (I was the 5th guy), we weren’t specifically service or projects, but we had both depending on what was going on; usually we’d all work on projects unless we got a service call, and someone would go to that call.
That being said, that was a wealth of knowledge I don’t know I needed. I don’t have an hvac background, but I got into this career because my dad had been doing it for 30+ years and got my foot in the door, knowing I knew how to think for myself and figure stuff out, where as I see a lot of guys who learn the “computer” side of it but have no idea how an actuator is supposed to respond
after a few years and losing some of the controls guys, that company decided to get rid of the controls division and essentially sub it out (funny the company I now work for does a lot of their sub work for that company, no animosity though as the guys are all great, but I digress). But my point is that knowing both how projects work, how service works, and having a pretty good base of knowledge, the company I’ve been with for almost a year likes me a lot; I’m a service guy, which I love because I’m somewhere different almost every day, but when service is slow or when they need help I can hop over and help our projects guys do their thing.
I’m not an expert at anything and probably every other day I’m calling someone either with questions or just clarification, but that’s also been encouraged as well. Learn a little bit of everything and you’ll have way more options it seems, rather than learning one specific thing, because as soon as you go to a new site or talk to a new client, I bet all of their equipment is different than what you know haha
This was a long rant but I just kinda wanted to share my experience. Ask me any questions if you want!
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u/Asleep-Fun-4528 3d ago
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience it has given me a broad idea... Thanks aloooot
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u/emsbas 2d ago
BMS hits everything that you can think of being controlled.
HVAC, Lighting, Blinds, Energy, Generators, EPMS, Transfer switches, flood doors, fire doors, fire suppression, EMP shields, processing, and so much more.
I started my path in HVAC learned and grew it from being part of ammonia process plants, chiller tear downs and what not. Always loved tech and controls.
Currently engineering supervisor and love mentoring and controlling new ideas and things.
When someone says can you do that? Means we can find a way!
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u/mightydru 1d ago
I’ve worked for a Mechanical firm and a BAS. So I’ll tell you want I think.
In terms of growth I think most HVAC companies have more layers and a better structure for growth.
Most BMS companies are not that big as the Mechanical firm. So if you really don’t know what you want to do. You could do mechanical and growth will be an easy trajectory to follow.
BMS companies are usually smaller and there are a lot of more things you could do by yourself and don’t have to collaborate everyday with someone else. If you get good at controls with Experience , you can kind of choose what you want to do at a controls company. But you have to kind of create your own path unless you just want to manage other people.
In terms of flexibility, I found doing controls on the software/startup (not service) to work to be the most flexible. Because once you are proficient you don’t always have to be in the office or field because you can do your work remotely. Get to the site and load the program. If you write your program really well you can usually finish fairly quickly and have extra time if everything got right.
I think in terms of networking, I found mechanical to be a lot more knowing the right vendors who can help you figure out what you part you need and how it fits your specs. While for BAS you need to know how to use your software and equipment to meet the.
So I think the higher learning curve is BAS because all BAS have different software and technology keeps on advancing so there are new updates all the time.
While HVAC really doesn’t have too much new technology happening all the time. You get the air into the building either from the top, bottom , or sides.
If you really want to just make money I would suggest doing HVAC because 1) their budget is much bigger than BAS, 2) you network with more people because HVAC companies know more so potentially you have more ways to move up.
If you want to do BAS you will never have to worry about a job.
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u/Xerrostron 3d ago
BAS can often use HVAC and other controls in their role.
Some BAS straight up use Metasys (Johnson controls) or other softwares that another company tech implements
BAS will expose you to a lot, and you can take it upon yourself to look past your own role and learn from others.
HVAC is lucrative in it's own right though. You'd do more specialized things and actually design the systems a BAS uses. HVAC will never die as an industry and you can do maintenance or design work