HVAC AnyOne..
Is HVAC design a good career transition? I’m an experienced mechanical engineer but I think the mechanical engineering market getting oversaturated with engineers. I’m steering towards HVAC design as an alternative engineering career direction. I guessing it will require more thermal or fluid dynamic training. What are some other pre-requisite skills or training would I need to have on my resume to be a more appealing candidate? Thanks
Hi Cheryl - There is a clear distinction between HVAC designers and HVAC engineers at the MEP consultant level. Typically, HVAC designers are either recent college graduates or graduates of technical schools. They are skilled in Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD. The majority of HVAC designers draft only. Depending on skill level and motivation, some engineering duties are given to the designer. The majority of HVAC engineers start out as designers and as their knowledge increases they transition to more of an engineering role. Honestly, you just need a working knowledge(not an in depth knowledge) of thermal fluid design. Most of the complex formula's and equations are done by software such as Trace or HAP. I would recommend taking a course in Autodesk Revit / CAD to get you noticed. You can also take training courses for Trane Trace or HAP. Taking the Fundamentals of Engineering test would be a big plus as well as a LEED certification.
Good Luck!
Can’t go wrong if your in the service end of it. I’m retired and it’s a dying field. Opportunity and money is good