Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer
Careers Explorer:
A modern-day building-sector role focusing on the control, performance and efficiency of energy usage in industrial, commercial and public buildings.
Overview
A building energy management system (BEMS) is a sophisticated method to monitor and control a building’s energy needs, and it’s your role to ensure optimum performance of energy efficiency and comfort control.
You may be involved initially with designing the building’s energy management system that controls the building services, such as heating, air conditioning, lighting and ventilation. You may also write related software and graphics as well as installing and commissioning such systems.
You’ll certainly need to be tech-savvy as another key part of the role is integrating these systems with the building’s other systems, such as security to create a ‘smart building’.
You could be working across a range of commercial building environments including hospitals, student accommodation, offices or even a theatre and once that building is occupied, you’re likely to be involved in the ongoing service and maintenance of the systems.
Top 5 Tasks
- Design and install a building’s energy management system
- Prepare drawings for drafting by the CAD team (Computer Aided Design)
- Networking – you’ll have to design, install, maintain and fault find these types of networks
- Understand the controls and performance of different field device types including sensors, variable speed drives, switches and relays.
- Configure, update and control hardware/software.
Salary
The average salary of a BEMS Engineer is £35,000-£40,000.
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility.
Am I Suited?
- Tech-savvy
- Excellent IT and computer literacy skills
- Excellent communicator
- Problem solver
- Confident
A Building’s Energy Management System is usually the third most expensive cost centre after people and property, so it’s vitally important that buildings are optimised to use energy as efficiently as possible.
Qualifications
You’ll need a relevant engineering or computing qualification, degree or equivalent, which may include a HND/HNC in engineering, buildings and relevant science-related qualifications. You’ll also need to have knowledge and understanding of Building Energy Management Systems.
Progression
