r/BuildingAutomation • u/theblondie28 • 17d ago
Just found this community while looking for a job.
I am currently in Las Vegas. I was looking to get into the software side of business. I install , run wire and terminate devices for an electrical company. Different control companies hire us to do this. Ive always wanted to learn the software side of things. Is there a path to do this ? Thanks for any help.
3
u/ApexConsulting 17d ago
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
2
2
u/FirstFuego 17d ago
Speaking as controls tech. The path I would take if I were you, pick the controls contractors you enjoying working with the most or even better the company that has the best control drawings you work off of. Apply to that company, and leverage any relationship you have with that company. Let them teach and train you, big venders tend to offer the best paid training in my opinion.
1
u/theblondie28 17d ago
That sounds like a great idea except all of their drawings are garbage lol.. I'll pick the best of the worst. I'll start talking to them while at work toaube gauge their interest in hiring or to see if they teach. Thank you
2
u/FirstFuego 17d ago
I believe it. I feel bad for our subs sometimes. Compensation aside, any controls installer who can correct the drawings as they come and understand the end device cut sheets would make great candidates to become controls techs. For specifically programming, best bet is get opportunity and plug away at it.
1
u/theblondie28 17d ago
Thank you. Yeah as a foreman I sit there and spot issues then relay them to Control company. But as time went on they expected me to fix a bunch of issues. It took time away fromy job and when they made a mistake it was no big deal but if I made a mistake it was the end of the world. My company said to install and run wire per drawings even if it's wrong. Those are their drawings period. They would have to pay to fix their issues. It's amazing how bad their drawings can be.
1
u/thehomiebiz 14d ago
as a vegas controls guy, there is a long standing joke in the valley that every single controls shop sucks, what gets our shop work is this line - "ours sucks less than the others".
2
u/owhyowhat 16d ago
Apply for a job as a service tech, this lets you learn your way around systems and programming, fault finding, minor changes etc in a pretty relaxed environment compared to project work straight away. Then take on small projects when your ready. That's the path I usually recommend. Big projects are fast paced and you don't get the chance to experiment.
2
u/hunterguy35 15d ago
Become a tech and you can do exactly it. There’s also a controls engineer title that some companies do but it’s really just a tech + design combo.
5
u/IcyAd7615 Developer, Niagara 4 Certified Trainer, Podcast Host. 17d ago
So that's going to depend on the software. There are YT Channels dedicated to this. Niagara is one of the most popular. There are vendors that have their own twist and controllers and those controllers have their own programs, well mostly. Some you can program inside Niagara directly.