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
All buildings rely on important systems such as lighting, water, and heating. For places that many people use, there's often someone making sure everything is working as it should. And stepping in to fix things when things go wrong.
Would you be up to the task? If so, you could be working on everything from shops and offices to hospitals and airports.
You'll be involved from the planning stage right through to running of things when a building is being used. You'll play a key role in designing, installing and looking after systems so they work well and save energy.
You'll have a broad range of knowledge across different building services, but you can also specialise in specific areas. The systems you'll deal with can include:
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refridgeration (HVAC)
water
lighting
power
CCTV
lifts and escalators
safety, such as fire alarms public address/voice alarms (PA/VA)
telecommunications
Your tasks might include:
planning, designing, installing and looking after building services
drawing up plans using computer aided design (CAD) and modelling software
estimating costs and managing budgets on projects
coordinating the work of technicians and craftspeople on site
making decisions about fixing or replacing old or faulty equipment
negotiating and agrreing project contracts with clients
Green job
You’ll analyse data and work out ways to limit the environmental impact of buildings. For example, by reducing emissions or increasing energy efficiency.
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You may work slightly more hours than normal in this career.
You'll usually from Monday to Friday but this could vary depending on the needs of a project.
You may work extra hours to meet deadlines or work on-call.
Part-time work is also possible.
Environment
You may spend time working in a project office and on site, which might be existing buildings or construction sites.
You'll wear safety equipment on construction sites, such as a hard hat and a high visibility vest.
Travel
You might need a full UK driving licence to travel to different sites.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Select qualification level(s)
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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 April 2024 to April 2025.
- building services engineering
- autodesk revit
- technical standard
- surveys
- dialux
- energy conservation
- services design
- thermal modeling
- rail operations
- climate variability and change
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.
Many employers will ask for a qualification in Building Services Engineering, such as an HND or degree. It's also possible to progress from entry level roles and build up the skills, knowledge and experience needed for this career.
Check out some routes into this career.
University
A degree in Building Services Engineering could be helpful for getting into this job.
Other relevant subjects include:
Architectural Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
College
Getting qualifications at college could help you get a job or progress to more advanced study.
You could get an HNC or HND in Building Services Engineering.
Other useful subjects include:
Architectural Technology
Construction and the Built Environment
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Discover Modern Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni or college. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in Civil Engineering.
Discover Graduate Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Trainee roles
You can apply for a trainee role, where you learn on the job and eventually progress. You may need some knowledge or experience in building services to apply. You can use the My World of Work job search to look for trainee roles.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need. Try looking for engineering or construction opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You could apply for membership of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to access industry knowledge, training and support. You could join as a student, or when you're working in the career.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Building services engineer'
