Skip to content

Engineering design

Building services engineer Green Job

Building services engineers design, fit and maintain the heating, lighting and power systems in offices, hospitals and shopping centres.

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £51,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

You could work: on call; as customers demand

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Building services engineer jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a building services engineer, you could:

  • create plans using computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) software
  • design and install controls for systems like heating, ventilation and lighting
  • estimate costs, present ideas and produce progress reports
  • follow building regulations and health and safety requirements
  • organise the work of technicians and manage budgets

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work on a construction site or in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
University

You could study for a degree accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Courses include:

  • building services engineering
  • architectural engineering
  • mechanical engineering and building services

You could also do a related degree like:

  • electrical engineering
  • construction and the built environment
  • environmental engineering
  • sustainable construction

You could apply to join a company as a graduate trainee after you finish your course.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
For more information
College

You could take a course, which might help you to get a trainee technician position in a building services engineering company.

Courses include:

  • building services
  • mechanical engineering
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a:

  • Building Services Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Building Energy Management Systems Controls Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Building Services Design Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These can take between 3 and 5 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You might be able to start as a building services technician. You could then complete qualifications on the job, or part time with a training provider, to become an engineer.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in engineering from any industry.

For example, you might have experience in electrical, mechanical, environmental or energy engineering.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for study resources, industry news and professional development courses.

Further information

You can get more details about careers in building services from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Showing jobs in:
View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could move into:senior project management; quantity surveying; engineering design

You could also work as a facilities manager or building services consultant.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Building Services Engineers design, fit and maintain the heating, lighting and power systems in offices, hospitals and shopping centres. They are needed in the West of England to help improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and to support the move over to low-carbon heating sources.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Maths, Sciences A-levels
  • Level 1-3 Engineering at City of Bristol College
  • Building Services Engineering for Construction T-Level (available from 2024)

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 3 Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer Apprenticeship
  • Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship
  • Level 4 Construction Design and Build Technician
  • Level 6 Building Services Design Engineer

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers 

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working as a building services engineer, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

  • Ove Arup and Partners
  • Mott Macdonald

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to read English
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
My top 5 skills
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register