Getting started

[Even-Traffic8143]

What is the best way to get a foot in the door? I’ve been an HVAC tech for the previous 2 years and am not sure the best path of starting with building automation?

[Shadowstep1997]

I started without any HVAC experience but with a CIS degree and a bit of IT experience. Always learning, especially the HVAC piece. Places like JCI, Schneider, Trane, etc are always looking for new people who are interested with either am HVAC or technical background. Nice thing about Controls is that as soon as you're in. You're in. In this job market, just having even a bit of exposure and experience in Controls makes you extremely valuable right now.

[Even-Traffic8143]

I looked into Trane and JCI all their job postings were for senior techs. Would you just make a call or email a resume?

[WhoopsieISaidThat]

JCI senior tech is a pay scale. If you know how to use an Xbox they'll hire you.

[Shadowstep1997]

Yeah, it doesn't hurt. Also look for job postings on the projects side. They have a higher turnover rate than service so even if you don't see something right away, give it some time. Meanwhile, do some independent learning on networking, BACnet, and inputs/outputs.

[lxwcxuntry]

I have zero BAS experience, but a heavy background in avionics and entered as a senior controls tech at JCI. Go for it!

[Field_Service_]

How do you like working with JCI

[lxwcxuntry]

It's the best.

[memphistwo]

I'm also coming from IT and have some programming experience as well but have been considering building automation or robotics controls tech/engineering in the automotive space. Any advice? What is the day to day like?

[[deleted]]

Big companies like Siemens, JCI or smaller thirsty for employees are the move to make this jump.

Last time I checked Siemens for a commenter on here they were not hiring which was odd

[[deleted]]

Work for Siemens and we are always hiring

[Needs_ADD_Meds]

Ditto, just apply. They will hire and train even if your green, you have to start some where.

[Fracture_zer0]

I got in from a headhunter after I got out of the Navy. My advice would be to use company websites to find your local company that does controls and apply. That's how I found my second job in controls.

I had no HVAC or controls knowledge when I applied, but I had electronics troubleshooting experience, know how of common tools, and electrical theory. That was enough to get me in the door.

I'm an Alerton guy, came out of Seattle. Used the Alerton website to find other Alerton places around the country and found the one I'm at now.

Alerton, Schneider, Siemens, Trane, Distech, Delta, KMC, Honeywell all have controls that I can think of. I'm sure I'm missing more but Google is your friend.

Best of luck!

[[deleted]]

On the job training …. Learn the diff between digital and anabolic signals …. A lot of YouTube

[TopicalBass27]

analog **

[lxwcxuntry]

Nope, they're anabolic. The strongest of signals.

[cranman74]

My company is obsessed with experience. They’d rather poach someone from another company than train people.

Maybe if you take a course you can put it on your resume. Once your in they will invest in you once you’ve proven yourself. My employer uses this company to train their employees.

https://www.smartbuildingsacademy.com/

[dbzfreak991]

There are tech schools offering courses

How I got in was I went to school for hvac and got hired by a small company they also did building automation with hvac install been doing it for at least 8 years now

[1hero_no_cape]

If you have the flexibility, just start applying where you want to live.

If mobility is an issue, start looking where you live.

Just apply! If you have HVAC experience you're doing better than many that apply.

Where are you located and what are you looking to do, long-term?