BMS Project Design Engineer
Department: BMS Projects
Reports to: Principal Engineer
Location: London & South-East (hybrid)
Type: Full-time
Purpose
Own building management system (BMS) design and controller software through the full project lifecycle—supporting Estimating and Projects so delivery is predictable, testable, safe, and handover-ready.
What “great” looks like (Key Outcomes)
- Complete, coordinated design packs issued to programme dates with minimal rework.
- Clear, testable Descriptions of Operation (Des Ops) and Cause and Effect (C&E) / functional test schedules that commission smoothly.
- Controller software built from standard libraries and loaded for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), with clean backups and change logs.
- Specifications critically evaluated early; risks/opportunities surfaced and resolved via Requests for Information (RFIs) and submittals.
- Compliance and cyber basics demonstrably in place (see responsibilities).
- Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) packs complete at Practical Completion; supervisor/HMI graphics and the end-user manual accepted on first issue.
Core Responsibilities
1) Pre-Contract & Estimating Support
- Review sales handover, preliminary design and quotation; highlight risks and opportunities; raise RFIs/submittals.
- Critically evaluate mechanical and electrical (M&E) specifications and plant/control philosophies for clarity, safety, efficiency and testability.
- Assist Estimating with points schedules, outline equipment selections, integration notes, and value-engineering options; protect margin and lead times.
- Read the programme, understand Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stage context, maintain a design risk register and change-control notes.
2) System Design & Documentation
Produce and maintain the full design pack:
- Description of Operation (Des Ops) / Sequence of Operation
- Network topology and addressing plans
- I/O schedules and points lists
- Control panel schematics and Bill of Materials
- Schedule of Functional tests / Cause & Effect
- Supervisor/HMI graphics to agreed standards.
- End-user manual
- O&M compilation to the accepted format
- Digital delivery and data
3) Control Software & FAT
- Build controller strategy from the Des Ops using agreed naming, standard libraries and an explicit alarm philosophy.
- Use a simulator/test harness and scripted tests for repeatable Factory Acceptance Testing; document coverage and defects.
4) Project Delivery Support
- Attend design/technical meetings; keep decisions visible and current (decision log).
- Support commissioning (clarifications, minor strategy updates agreed with the Principal Engineer/Project Manager).
- Provide commissioning pack documents (as-designed Des Ops, network plans, test sheets, initial backups, trend lists).
- Coordinate panel procurement (long-lead items), inspection and test plans (ITPs) and factory witness tests with the Principal Engineer/Project Manager.
5) Quality, Compliance, Safety & Cyber (UK-specific)
- Panels and wiring: design/verify to BS EN 61439 (derating, heat, segregation); apply BS 7671 implications for controls (safe isolation, earthing and basic electromagnetic compatibility).
- Energy and performance: consider Building Regulations Part L (2021), CIBSE TM39 (metering) and CIBSE TM54 (predicted vs actual); note BREEAM/NABERS UK touchpoints where specified.
- Building Safety Act - “Golden Thread”: maintain clear digital records, traceability and change control appropriate for BMS & Smart Homes work.
- OT/IT security: apply IEC 62443-aware practices; define user roles and password policy; use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and VPN for remote access; patch where applicable; segregate networks with virtual LANs (VLANs) and access control lists (ACLs); and document backup/restore drills.
- Modern protocols and integration: keep up to date with modern communications and integration protocols, such as BACnet secure, KNX secure and their implications upon the system design.
6) Continuous Improvement
- Feed estimating and delivery with lessons learned; improve libraries, graphics standards and test scripts.
- Use modern tooling: Git for strategy/graphics version control; Jira/Azure DevOps for issues/changes; light Python/SQL for trend parsing and data checks.
Scope & Level
Focus on design production, software build, and coordination; may mentor juniors informally. Ownership of company-wide standards sits with the Principal Engineer.
Required Skills & Experience
- Proven BMS design delivery: Des Ops, I/O schedules, network topologies, control panel schematics.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plant understanding: such as boilers and heat pumps; chillers; low-temperature hot water (LTHW) and chilled water (CHW) systems; air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), variable air volume (VAV); and variable refrigerant flow/volume (VRF/VRV) gateways.
- Hydronic control nuance: such as differential pressure (DP) control, valve authority, ΔT/ΔP strategies, pressurisation/expansion, domestic hot water (DHW) hygiene, heat pumps and multi-source plant: bivalence, defrost logic, weather compensation, buffer/storage control.
- Hands-on controller programming on Trend, Niagara/Tridium and Distech (libraries, alarms, schedules).
- Standards awareness: BS EN 61439, BS 7671 basics for controls, BS 5839/BS 7346-8 interfaces, Part L/TM39/TM54 context.
- Networking and cyber: VLANs, ACLs, NTP; BACnet/SC basics; familiarity with OPC UA/MQTT; sound remote-access hygiene.
- Commissioning science: proportional–integral–derivative (PID) tuning, seasonal commissioning, alarm philosophy, trend-based performance checks.
- Residential integrations: DALI-2 and KNX for lighting/shades; clear boundaries with security, audio-visual and life-safety systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication, stakeholder management and conflict resolution; able to deliver concise end-user training.
Desirable Certifications
- BCIA modules;
- Manufacturer/Systems training courses, such as: Tridium Niagara N4; Trend CTS; Distech ECLYPSE; KNX
- ECS/CSCS;
- IET/CIBSE membership and CPD record.
Qualifications
- Degree/HND in Building Services, Controls or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- Relevant manufacturer training and ongoing CPD.
