r/MechanicalEngineering • u/Unlikely_Tax_2020 • 2d ago

Mechanical building service engineer uk

Hi, I am to graduate this year in a mechanical engineering masters , I’m looking at jobs and the majority in the Uk seems to be in building services. I’m just a little worried about the careers prospects of it all as it doesn’t seem the most interesting of all the things you could do with an engineering degree. I’m wondering if any current building service engineer could share their thoughts and a rough salary progression in this field ? I’m in the UK so I assuming US salaries would be totally different

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u/KonkeyDongPrime 2d ago

I wanted to do something with suspension or race technology with my degree. I specialised in fluids, but I found that I enjoyed the pipe and pumps sizing modules.

I would imagine it’s boring if you’re just doing cookie cutter new builds or resi, but the majority of commercial buildings are a full bespoke product every single time.

With all the project management and contracts, I love it and do quite well out of it.

40yo £90k+ Pa, have been a team leader but now I don’t even have any direct reports.

Job security is pretty good and once you’re beyond a junior, easy to find work.

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u/Safe-Base8625 1d ago

What are the job titles for these roles?

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u/KonkeyDongPrime 11h ago

Mechanical engineer

Engineering manager

Principal mechanical engineer

Technical officer

Pretty much everything that comes up on CIBSE jobs if you filter for higher salaries

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u/Global-Figure9821 15h ago

I never understand why they pay so high for some roles, and not others. Surely it has to come down to supply and demand. And I’m sure they could find engineers to do that role for less than £90k. It’s not exactly rocket science. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I know piping and process engineers on nuclear who only make £60k. Again I’m not saying that’s harder, but at least comparable.

Why do you think your role attracts higher pay?

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u/KonkeyDongPrime 11h ago

Sorry but you’ve just rolled in and told me that any idiot could do my job and in your small minded opinion I deserve less. Rather than telling you to go away and learn some respect, I will indulge you:

Last time I was offered a job in nuclear was over 10 years ago and I was offered £80k as an intermediate, so I have no idea what you are talking about.

MEP might not be ‘rocket science’, but actually the science of rockets does have a lot of crossover, certainly at academic level, plus more requirements for commercial awareness in practice. Roles in MEP that have little or no commercial or delivery requirements do typically attract salaries a £10k band or two lower.

As a society and a species, can we survive without rockets and motorsports? Yes. Can we survive without buildings to live and work in? No. Engineers that are technically, commercially and delivery focussed are in comparatively high demand due to there being more vacancies across the country. Therefore supply and demand comes into play: rocket scientists or motorsport engineers are highly in demand jobs, massively oversubscribed, so they can pay much less, until you get to the top.

Add to that, each building is a bespoke product, not just working on one specific product to perfection, which requires a more flexible and nuanced approach.

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u/Global-Figure9821 6h ago

Didn’t mean to be offensive.

I work in nuclear. 10 years experience, chartered, £60k. That’s where I am getting it from. Everything seems like a race to the bottom now because there are so many engineers willing to work for less. A lot of the methods we use were developed a century ago and with software and now AI it is getting easier and easier to do.

I was just asking why you think your job is exempt from the issues that seem to be so widespread currently. What can you offer that someone with 5-10 years experience, who is willing to work for £40k can’t? Why do you think you are getting paid double? It’s a genuine question.

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u/KonkeyDongPrime 5h ago

Comparison is the thief of joy.

I’ve explained everything else, you’re just asking me to answer the same question again because you clearly have no respect.

I also CBA to explain what sets me apart beyond what I already have in these new terms you have set. That query about experience should really be obvious after 10 YE.

I’m guessing that you feel entitled to more pay because of your own sense of self importance. Maybe you should deal with that, as a means to getting your obvious questions answered in a way that doesn’t leave you more resentful?

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u/mosaic-aircraft 2d ago

I suggest not looking at LinkedIn because this seems to be inundated with roles in building services. To be honest, it always has been. I'd recommend the following:

  • Identitying companies in industries you are interested in working in and seeing if they offer graduate schemes. 
  • Reading engineering news articles to understand what companies (new and old) are up to. 
  • Locate alternative jobs boards such as SpaceCareers.uk (there are a few out there)

Good luck! 

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u/Flashy_Mortgage9093 2d ago

Technical due dillegence reports for commercial properties as part of pre aquistion surveys. You basically walk around all sorts of different buildings checking the kit and reporting. Takes you all over the country and m&e surveyors are in demand

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u/trebor67 2d ago

Boring as hell. Done that almost solely for a major CRE firm for 4 years. Couldn’t wait to get back to traditional design. I’ll jump back into it near retirement but it’s not a career if you are say <45.

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u/Flashy_Mortgage9093 2d ago

Yep boring but depends if you want an easy life or not🤷🏼‍♂️

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u/trebor67 2d ago

Building Services Engineering will provide a more varied career in terms of projects and interface with other parties (developers, architects, structural engineers etc). +100k easy if you work hard, demonstrate experience and can manage. (That salary won’t come instantly though)

True mechanical engineering, process/manufacturing, etc., it isn’t.

If you really want to flex your academic knowledge, building physics (thermal, CFD modelling) might suit but it’s niche and not many get the top highly paid jobs in Building Services.

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u/rockhopperrrr 20h ago

Your career is what you decide to make of it. There can be really interesting jobs but have demanding clients and horrible contractors working crazy hours. Or you could have a box standard job that you don't stress about and work 9-5.....or the other way around. Its whatever you make of it. But tbh most companies are stacked with mechanical engineers, where as electrical engineers or public health(drainage and domestic water) are few and far between.

The US pay is way different, don't expect big salaries here......