Building Services Engineer

Career Path

Following my A-Levels, I was lost with my next steps. Until that point, the main career advice I had received was a very archaic output from a career advisor’s new’ (1990’s) calculator which determined that because I liked people and problem solving, I was destined to be a paramedic.

In contrast, my father, who I would often see working on large drawings on the dining room table, was a successful and intelligent building services engineer, and occasionally I would join him in the office where I first picked up a pencil and sat at a drawing board.

It didn’t jump out at me as my future career, but he explained that if I learned a trade, I would have skill that will always be needed. And so, my journey in construction began.

I completed an advanced modern apprenticeship in Heating and Ventilating – Industrial and Commercial Installation, followed by an HNC and HND which I completed whilst being employed, studying 1-2 days a week at college.

During this period, I worked both on the tools, and as a project engineer, undertaking design tasks and construction management. Having worked on and delivering schemes locally (schools / manufacturing facilities / large plantrooms and commercial change of use to residential) for the early part of my career, in 2010 I had the opportunity to work on a large gas facility in Tunisia, which tested my engineering mind, as well as my resolve, in a remote location far from home.

As well as a financial boost, it also boosted my ambition to grow, returning to the UK to undertake a large engineering scheme in London.

In 2012, I left the UK on a solo adventure that took me east through Eastern Europe, Russia, China, and Asia eventually reaching New Zealand where I was inspired by the engineering challenges in the re-development of Christchurch following the devastating earthquake there.

When I came back to the UK I began working as a consultant engineer, completed a degree, and built on a role that has seen me progress from engineer through to associate, with my role today largely managing a team of engineers, and developing client relationships.

Over the years I have worked on a wide range of projects including education, healthcare, commercial, residential, defence and historic buildings. My work has included the design of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, public health and low-carbon energy systems, as well as energy modelling and building decarbonisation. In 2018 I achieved MCIBSE registration, recognising my professional competence.

Not built entirely for an office chair, I have always shaped my career to suit – I am very practical, and I enjoy being outdoors, and this continues to drive my decisions. The beauty of this career is that the opportunities are extremely wide and varied, it is a profession that is adaptable, very much in demand, and no single career path needs be the same.

Current Role

Consultant.

Salary Range

Varies significantly, depending on role, responsibility, qualifications and experience.

Graduate £28,000–£35,000. Experienced £45,000–£70,000. Senior engineers, associates and directors can earn £80,000–£100,000+

Typical Day

Some days are mediocre. Some days are exciting as hell.

Designing mechanical building services, meeting clients and architects, carrying out site surveys, producing calculations and specifications, reviewing installations, solving technical issues on site and leading project teams.

Things I wish I’d known

There are several excellent routes into the profession, including apprenticeships and part-time study. Communication, teamwork and continual professional development are just as important as technical ability. The Degree Apprenticeship programme that exists today provides an incredible opportunity for someone that wants to get a string qualification excellent tuition and begin a career that can go anywhere.