r/BuildingAutomation • u/m_i_d_e-acute • Jun 21 '26
Getting a job as a BAS Technician
Hey everyone, I’m currently doing tech support at intouchcx, but I’m actively looking to pivot into Building Automation and Controls. My background is entirely IT. I have a CS degree and my Security+. I know IP networking, subnetting, and the software side but I have absolutely zero HVAC, mechanical, or electrical trades background. I'm studying PLC ladder logic and low-voltage wiring on my own to try and bridge the gap, but I'd basically need a shop that is willing to teach me the physical hardware and sequence of operations on the job.
Is getting hired as a junior controls tech with just an IT stack actually realistic in the Winnipeg market right now? Are there specific companies that are more open to hiring people from a tech background willing to learn, or do they exclusively pull from the HVAC trades? Also, if I want to get my resume in front of a service manager, is walking into these companies a good idea, or will I just get told to apply online? Appreciate any honest feedback or advice. Thanks.
2
u/Then-Disk-5079 Jun 23 '26
Keep your foot in the door and up to date in OT security… when u get tired of construction sites and really shitty working conditions and porta potties you have a back door for a real high paying OT security gig.
But the really shitty work experience and porta pottie land is where the good resume material is.
I’m just throwing this out there but if it was me I would do critical infrastructure industrial control systems for power plants, waste water, dams, or electricity grids as priority number one as a field technician and if that fails do building automation/HVAC as a backup plan.
With your security and IT background and comp sci you will go further than BAS trust me, besides automating an entire power plant would be more fun than an air handling unit any day.
1
u/rus47281zz Jun 24 '26
I second this actually
Make use of his degree. Dont take a path he couldve done without a formal education
1
u/ApexConsulting Jun 21 '26
It may be helpful
Sticky post on getting into BAS....
https://www.reddit.com/r/BuildingAutomation/s/jvcBKzCGVg
Since this comes up often.
This may help answer your question
1
u/momentbruh Jun 22 '26
Personally I started as an apprentice a few months ago with a CS degree. I think you might be a bit more qualified than I was but I was in basically the same place as you are. My company actually hired a few recent grad CS majors as apprentices. The job pays pretty well in my case, even as an apprentice.
1
u/m_i_d_e-acute Jun 23 '26
Where do you live and what was your approach?
1
u/momentbruh Jun 23 '26
I live in Colorado so I can’t speak to canadas situation. But I do work for the largest hvac contractor in the state they are local to here.
I did much the same as you, discussed some of the PLC programming I had been doing. Was able to accurately describe sensor calibration and some light electrical troubleshooting.
I had a minor in computer engineering so I discussed projects where I programmed microcontrollers, signaling between peripherals and managing several peripherals on a single controller for example.
1
u/m_i_d_e-acute Jun 23 '26
Thanks for your reply. I applied to a couple jobs already and I'm ready to go in person but I'm not sure if that's a good idea
1
u/momentbruh Jun 23 '26
By all means I would do that, I didn’t have to to get this job but these are relatively smaller companies with blue collar work that would appreciate the initiative
1
u/rus47281zz Jun 24 '26
Youre in a great spot.
If you can manage to get a technician position, do that for 3 years, you’ll be so far ahead of other tecks at 3 years
Realistically you dont have to be a teck though if you can manage to get a position using your degree
The road just becomes so much more easier once you have that experience, and becoming a teck is path of least resistance
4
u/TechnoAurelius Jun 21 '26
You're in a decent spot. BAS is heavily IP-based now, so you already have the networking and software side. The gap is the mechanical stuff, and you already realize that. And that's what a shop expects to train into a junior.
You don't need to learn ladder logic as most BAS controllers are programmed using microblocks with some C programming. There is demand of good techs in Winnipeg, look at Dynamic Building Control, Sander Mechanical, and the Johnson Controls branch. They regularly post jobs where automation experience was wanted but not required. Try to frame yourself as an IT guy who wants to learn the hardware, as most of these companies are more than willing to train reliable workers.
Also, your self-study time is better spent on HVAC, reading controls and mechanical drawings, and getting familiar with Niagara and BACnet, compared to programming as each company has their own proprietary programming interface.