Who is a building services design engineer?
A building services design engineer is someone who creates construction plans for new buildings, or for the upgrade of existing buildings. They can work on a variety of projects, from the construction of a new laboratory to improving the accessibility of a concert venue. Based on a client brief, they create technical drawing and detailed specifications which can eventually be constructed. They are typically employed by design consulting firms or construction companies.
Although this article will focus primarily on building services design engineers, there’s a variety of career opportunities within the building engineering sector. For example, many building engineers focus on construction, using the specifications described earlier to ensure the building is constructed properly. Or, they could be involved in operations work, keeping the building properly maintained.
What are the typical responsibilities of a building services design engineer?
- Liaising with clients to understand design expectations
- Researching suitable materials to be used in the construction process
- Using computer-aided design (CAD) and building modelling software to create technical drawings
- Ensuring that all designs meet health and safety requirements, taking into consideration aspects including power supply, ventilation, heating/cooling and drainage systems
- Creating reports and presentations to explain designs
- Updating technical drawings as the building work progresses, or in response to client needs
What skills do you need to be a successful building services design engineer?
Firstly, IT skills are an important part of this job. You’ll be working with a variety of different software packages to make your ideas come to life. Using these packages to create detailed designs makes it easier for the client and the construction team to understand your vision.
Another important skill is a commitment to sustainability. The impacts of climate change have meant a lot of industries are thinking more about corporate social responsibility, and the construction industry is no exception. Therefore, when creating designs, you’ll need to think about factors like the most sustainable materials to use and how to make the building more energy efficient.
Finally, teamwork is another valued skill. As part of this role, you’ll be working with a variety of different people, including clients, electricians, architects and plumbers. You’ll therefore need to keep them updated on your designs and how they could impact their work.
How do I become a building services design engineer?
You can complete a degree, college course or apprenticeship. For example, you could complete a degree or college course in mechanical engineering, building services engineering or another related field. You could even complete one of the new T levels in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction. If you’re interested in the apprenticeship route, check out the Building services design engineer Level 6 apprenticeship, which offers apprentices a fully funded degree in building engineering.
If you’d like to learn more about careers in building engineering, check out the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineering.
Best of luck on your career journey!