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
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 March 2024 to March 2025.
- building services engineering
- autodesk revit
- technical standard
- dialux
- services design
- energy conservation
- thermal modeling
- rail operations
- climate variability and change
- environmental design
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.
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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