Building Automation Systems Engineers

High School

In high school, take courses in physics, mathematics, general science, and shop to build your knowledge and understanding of how things work. Engineers must be strong communicators, so classes in English, speech, writing, and a foreign language will be useful.

Postsecondary Education

You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering or computer science to enter the field. A small, but growing number of colleges and universities have launched bachelor’s degree programs in building automation engineering technology. One example is the Pennsylvania College of Technology, which offers a dual-degree building automation engineering technology (BAET) major. Students declare a dual degree in one of seven areas (such as electrical technology or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology) and pair this education with specialized courses in BAET. In four years, they receive an associate’s in their chosen major plus a bachelor’s degree in building automation engineering technology. Here are some of the specialized BAET classes in the program. Students also complete an internship as part of the program.

• Building Automation Industry
• Building Automation Programming
• Building Commissioning and Recommissioning
• Building Control Networks
• Direct Digital Control of HVACR Equipment
• Directed Building Automation Technology
• Electric, Pneumatic and Electronic Control Systems
• Integrated Building Operation & Energy Management

Certification

Short- and long-term certificate programs are offered by colleges and universities, professional associations, manufacturers, and other providers. They serve as a good way to learn more about a field without making a huge financial investment and help students to acquire specialized knowledge and meet continuing education requirements for recertification. For example, The Energy Institute at Salt Lake Community College offers a certificate in building automation systems. Examples of classes in the program include Building Automation Fundamentals, Building Automation Systems Basic Electrical Concepts, Building Automation Systems Devices and Control Theory, Building Automation Systems Networking, and Building Automation Systems Logic and Programming. Most certificate programs last six months to one year, but some are much shorter. For example, the International Society of Automation (ISA) offers a three-day class, Introduction to Building Automation Systems. Students who complete the class earn a certificate of completion. The society also offers certificates in automation project management, cybersecurity, safety instrumented systems, and other fields. To obtain a certificate, students must complete a designated training program, meet prerequisites (for certain credentials), and pass a multiple-choice exam.

Other Education or Training

Taking in-person and online classes is a good way for aspiring and current engineers to learn about new developments in the field. The ISA offers classroom courses, online courses, and self-paced modular courses on critical topics, and other learning opportunities. Recent topics included factory automation and machine control, connectivity and cybersecurity, process automation and control, operations management, and digital transformation and industry 4.0. The Association of Controls Professionals, national engineering associations, and organizations at the state and local levels also provide educational opportunities. Additionally, industrial companies offer classes and webinars. For example, Johnson Controls offers HVAC and building automation training courses at its Training Institute, and Carrier offers courses via its Carrier University.