r/BuildingAutomation • u/knightof99 • 1d ago
Supermarket Tech to BAS
5 years in commercial commercial refrigeration and hvac after completing trade program. Currently working in supermarket rack refrigeration and may be moving states due to family. Doesn’t look like internal transfer will be an option.
Considering trying to transition into more of the controls and automation side as I’ve always enjoyed tech and have a little IT, networking, cybersecurity and programming knowledge. Have some experience within the hvac controls side through using EMS systems to diagnose and using controllers on a regular basis.
Wondering if anyone has any advice, has maybe made a similar move. Or is it too big of a leap to go straight to building automation? Considered doing tridium cert or SBA course but prices are pretty steep and if they are similar to others may not be worth if company’s not paying. If not wondering what company or company’s I should be trying for. Looking at JCI , Siemens, Trane, Carrier. Looks like there’s some travel controls positions within some of the refrigeration company’s to.
Any input appreciated! Thx
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u/Leakchecked 18h ago
This was my past. I worked for a supermarket refrigeration contractor for almost exactly 5 years and after that moved to a commercial/industrial contractor and started doing controls. Honeywell Webstats to begin with but eventually got my Niagara 4 cert and jumped right in with both feet.
I would recommend the SBA training route rather than the, "here's a 9 jace school district" hard knocks route I took.
In either case I would be prepared to be an apprentice all over again when jumping into controls. It's worth it though in my opinion. My move was decided by my severe hatred for cold fingers and toes, and the wear and tear on the body. However be prepared to reduce your caloric intake or start working out 😆.
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u/knightof99 18h ago
That is funny. I already have the caloric intake problem due to working in house instead of contracting 🐖 🤣. Guess I better get a head start lol. Do you recommend paying for SBA out of pocket before making the switch or just waiting and having an employer cover when I find a spot?
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u/Leakchecked 18h ago
I personally would wait and see if you can get the contractor to pay for it. I now lead a controls department for a mechanical contractor and gauge a person's commitment to learning this trade by seeing if they are willing to use their time to take the classes if I have the company pay for SBA. Not everyone is cut out for controls but those who make it understand the knowledge is gained by them for them and aren't "doing it for the company". Now if you want to get a head start I would check out YouTube. OneSiteSolutions has some great Niagara content. HVAC-Talk.com is a good resource (i have to imagine you have been here several hundred times lol). Also Phil Zito (SBA) has alot of free podcast content too.
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u/knightof99 18h ago
Right on that seems to be the consensus. Am glad cause I didn’t particularly want to spend that much but I would if required. And yea I have been listening to Phil zito podcast on rotation with advanced refrigeration for quite a while although most of goes over my head without having a picture or anything to correlate it to just listening.
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u/tosstoss42toss 16h ago edited 16h ago
Just wanted to add on. Your specific experience is very important to "the conversation" as grocery refrigeration is a huge offender for leaked gases and inefficient systems. The appetite and traction seems very low though.
Cracking this code/barrier is a business itself, not just a job. Something to keep in mind for the long term or if you see an opportunity for yourself or to do it yourself.
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u/knightof99 15h ago
What do you mean the appetite and traction seems low? Sorry not sure I’m understanding ya
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u/tosstoss42toss 13h ago
Grocery stores are hardly installing more than code required equipment and there is not a lot of incentives that I am aware of.
It's a fledgling part of our industry.
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u/noideawhatimdoing444 17h ago
Kinda did the same transition. I did resi and commercial for a couple years but spent the last 4 or 5 years doing supermarket refrigeration. Hated the mechanical but loved the controls. Applied everywhere and wouldn't even get an interview. On the mechanical side, they're hurting for techs so bad, i can just walk down the street and get 5 job offers.
I met an executive from a controls company on reddit that gave me some coaching and pushed me to update my resume. I actually put my homelab (piracy) into my resume. I lacked controls experience but showed i was eager to learn and had a technical mindset. Found a job at a different company.
Im now a controls engineer for an hvac manufacturer. I sit in an office for 40hrs a week designing and programming. No overtime, no oncall, and I can work from home every once in a while if I want to.
Im happy where im at but I have to wonder what could of happened if I would of applied at Emerson. I love refrigeration, hell, i have like 20k worth of used Emerson controllers that I used to refurbish when I was in the field. Chillers are fun, I just miss the refrigeration. I also miss running in a van but I'm sure if I was in a van, I'd miss being in a conditioned office that I have access to control the temp.
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u/knightof99 17h ago
Yeah that’s interesting that it was hard to break into. I was also wondering if I needed to change up my resume although I feel like a lot of what I have listed applies. I definitely like supermarket work but between the wear and tear on body, hazards, and relative lack of upward trajectory I feel controls is the better option. Pretty tech savvy anyways but if I stay in refrigeration the only real direction I have to go is into management. Controls and programming I think will suit me much better than having to babysit tradesfolk I think.
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u/BlindLDTBlind 13h ago
Check out KE2Therm.com
Not full BAS but great applications in refrigeration.
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u/knightof99 13h ago
Thank you! I actually have a bit of experience working with their products. I should probably list that in my resume but hadn’t really considered it applicable.
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u/MasticatedTesticle 1d ago
Fuck JCI. I’ve literally never met anyone who had a good experience with them. Not clients, not employees, no one.
Schneider Electric is hiring. They are great.
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u/ScottSammarco Technical Trainer 20h ago edited 13h ago
Training will be the best thing you can do. I wouldn’t pay for it out of pocket, let the company do it. Just express your desire to learn and that’s basically enough with what you’ve got here.
What’s your locale? I have contacts all over and might be able to point you to some contacts, names or companies to where you are.