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Building services engineer

Manage building systems such as lighting, water and heating. They should perform well for the people who live or work there, while saving energy.

About the job

What it's like

You would make sure that systems such as lighting, water and heating work well and save energy for people who live or work in a building.

You’d design, install and service the systems used in buildings like offices and shops.

You would be responsible for the heating and ventilation, hot and cold water systems, lighting, electrical cabling and telecommunications networks inside a building, such as an office block.

You may be involved in the design and installation of systems or oversee their maintenance once up and running.

You would:

  • draw up plans using computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling software

  • estimate costs

  • make sure projects meet building regulations and health and safety requirements

  • attend meetings and present ideas and progress reports to managers and clients

  • coordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople on site

  • manage engineering inspection and maintenance programmes

  • meet building suppliers to keep up to date with new product developments

You’d analyse and interpret data to work out how to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and generally limit the environmental impact of buildings.

Green job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

Hours

You would usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. Extra hours may be required to meet deadlines and you may have on-call duties. Part-time work is also possible.

Environment

Your time would be spent on a combination of office work and site visits. Depending upon what type of work you specialise in, you may spend time working in a project office and/or on site, which might be existing buildings or construction sites.

Travel

You'll usually need to have a driving licence.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Energy
  • Construction and built environment
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Top specialised skills

These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From February 2024 to February 2025.

  • building services engineering
  • autodesk revit
  • technical standard
  • dialux
  • energy conservation
  • services design
  • thermal modeling
  • mechanical electrical plumbing (mep) design software
  • environmental design
  • hvac design
Source: Based on vacancy data from Lightcast

Meta skills

Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.

  • managing resources
  • developing a plan
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • problem solving
  • working with technology
  • verbal communication
  • cooperating
  • building relationships

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Design and Manufacture

  • Engineering Science

  • Maths (Mathematics)

  • Physics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering

  • Skills for Work: Building Services Engineering

  • Applications of Mathematics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

To enter as a trainee engineer you require an honours degree (SCQF Level 10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11) in Building Services Engineering; or electrical, electronic, mechanical or systems control engineering may be acceptable. 

Entry requirements for a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) are usually National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers (SCQF Level 6), or relevant National Certificate or National Qualifications.

Entry to an engineering degree usually requires National 5 qualifications and two to five Highers (SCQF Level 6).  

Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering may support entry to the second or third year of some degree courses.

You could go for Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status through membership of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE):

  • For CEng you'd require an MEng degree or equivalent.

  • For IEng you'd require a BEng in engineering or technologies.

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