Facilities engineers design, construct, and maintain buildings and systems used in commercial activities. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or on-the-job experience is required, along with knowledge of regional building and safety codes. Continuing education is recommended.
To become a facilities engineer, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent on-the-job experience, along with a knowledge of regional building and safety codes. Facilities engineers design, construct, and maintain buildings and systems that are used in commercial activities such as manufacturing or that are used to house large organizations, agencies, and businesses. This job can be quite varied, and good people skills are highly beneficial for people interested in careers in this field.
The traditional way to become a facilities engineer is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, focusing on areas that are relevant to facility design and maintenance. Students may want to consider internships for work experience and the possibility of professional connections. They may choose to double up on the coursework to gain a greater depth of knowledge, or they may consider graduate school for advanced engineering training.
Graduates need to know building codes before they can work in this field. A student planning to be a facilities engineer may want to start reading the code documentation early to develop a deep depth of knowledge. Codes can vary by region, and if someone doesn’t know where they want to work, they might consider studying national code books to get a broad overview. Some colleges and universities also offer classes that specifically cover building codes and related issues.
Another option is to gain field work experience. A person can become a facilities engineer working in a maintenance department to build skills and experience. Over time, familiarity with the various systems used in a facility can develop into a broad depth of knowledge and the ability to maintain and repair those systems. On-the-job experience can also familiarize workers with building codes and safety issues that may arise in the workplace. Some employers may accept someone who wants to become a facilities engineer if that candidate has substantial work experience, even if he or she doesn’t have a college degree.
No matter which path someone chooses to become a facilities engineer, continuing education is a good idea. Conferences, trade magazines, and courses can help people keep up with changes in building codes, as well as generally accepted standards and practices in the industry. It can also be helpful to join a professional organization for networking purposes and access to members-only content, such as specialized trainings. Professional associations can be helpful in job applications, especially when combined with solid field experience.
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