So, What Does a BMS Engineer Actually Do?

So, What Does a BMS Engineer Actually Do?

You might be sitting there, scratching your head, thinking, "A BMS Engineer? Is that some sort of building magician?" Well, sort of! A BMS (Building Management System) Engineer is the whiz behind the scenes, making sure the building's heating, ventilation, lighting, and even security are playing nicely together. Think of them as the conductor of a well-oiled, tech-savvy orchestra that makes buildings smarter, greener, and far more comfortable to live or work in.

In this article, we’ll break down what a BMS Engineer really gets up to, what it takes to join their ranks, and the skills you’ll need if you fancy having “BMS Engineer” on your CV.

What Exactly is a BMS Engineer?

Right, so a BMS Engineer is the person who creates, installs, and manages the system that controls all of a building’s moving parts—air, heat, light, security... you name it. They’re like the puppet master, pulling the strings behind the scenes. BMS engineers come up with these customised control systems, which connect all the critical building components into one central hub. Imagine being able to control lighting, heating, and even water usage with just a few clicks. Pretty nifty, right?

These engineers might have backgrounds in control systems, electrical work, or heating tech, and you’ll often find them going by other equally impressive titles like Building Automation Engineer, Heating Controls Engineer, or Building Energy Management System Engineer (BEMS)—no biggie!

BMSs are common in big commercial buildings like shopping centres, office towers, and hospitals, but you’ll sometimes find them in posh residential pads too. They’re there to make sure everything runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely.

So, What Does BMS Stand For?

BMS stands for Building Management System, which is, in a nutshell, the brain of the building. It’s an electronic control system that keeps an eye on all the electrical and mechanical bits installed within. You might also come across the term BEMS, which is a BMS that’s particularly focused on monitoring and managing a building's energy use. Because, let's face it, no one likes a wasteful building.

A Day in the Life of a BMS Engineer

Wondering what a BMS Engineer actually does all day? It’s a bit of a mix—a dash of design, a sprinkle of software work, and a whole lot of testing, fixing, and upgrading. Here’s what they typically get up to:

Responding to Client Requests – Designing BMS systems to suit whatever the client needs. “Need more heat in the winter? Less light in the summer? I’ve got you.”
Control Panel Design – Starting from building plans, they create panel drawings that will go into the system.
Documentation & Instructions – Writing up design docs, instructions, and guides for other engineers and users, so they know what does what.
Graphic Design of BMS Software – Yep, some BMS Engineers even dabble in a bit of graphic design.
Safety Checks & Standards – Making sure every bit of software or hardware meets the latest safety standards.
Site Surveys & Testing – Inspecting sites before and after installation to make sure the BMS is performing like a dream.
Commissioning New Systems – Testing and adjusting new BMS software to ensure it’s fit for purpose.
Maintenance & Repairs – Fixing anything from minor glitches to full-blown system errors and keeping everything running smoothly.
Staying on Top of Industry Trends – Always learning to keep their skills sharp and their systems state-of-the-art.

Specialised BMS Roles: The Real MVPs

There’s more than one type of BMS Engineer. Here’s a look at some of the top specialist roles:

BMS Commissioning Engineer – This role is all about getting new BMS installations up and running. They handle the prep work, make sure all the gear is ready, run safety checks, and provide support during the install. Think of them as the team’s MVP when it’s go-time.
BMS Service Engineer – These engineers are the maintenance heroes, making sure a building’s system keeps ticking over long after it’s installed. Sometimes they’ll work at one specific location, while other times they’ll travel around, servicing systems across different sites.
BMS Design Engineer – Focused solely on the design stage, a BMS Design Engineer maps out control panels, software, and graphics for BMS. They may not be part of the actual installation but are crucial to the initial setup.
BMS Project Engineer – A bit of a project manager as well as a technical expert, the BMS Project Engineer leads projects, keeps teams on track, and acts as the main point of contact between clients and the engineering team.

How to Become a BMS Engineer

You don’t have to go to uni to be a BMS Engineer, although it can give you a head start. Many BMS Engineers start out with an apprenticeship, diploma, or work experience as electrical technicians or control system installers. Others might head to university, choosing a degree in Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or even Applied Physics. If you go this route, you’ll likely need at least a C in Maths and English and an A in Maths, Further Maths, or Physics.

There aren’t any specific BMS engineering degrees, but studying related fields is a good way in. Some degrees include a Masters option, which could boost your earning potential, though it’s not a dealbreaker if you’d rather skip it.

Entry-level BMS engineer jobs are available for graduates and trainees, so you could jump straight into the field after uni or work your way up from a technical role. With some experience, you could advance to roles like designer or project engineer.

So, there you have it! Whether you’re keen on getting into the nitty-gritty of design, love the hands-on work of installation, or fancy yourself as a future project lead, BMS engineering has a lot to offer. And with buildings getting smarter every day, there’s never been a better time to dive in!

This article is brought to you by VIGO Recruitment, your partner in finding top talent for the Smart Buildings, Building Management Systems and Energy Optimisation sectors. Let us help you build your future, one hire at a time.

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