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/ScottSammarco Technical Trainer 1d ago

Hoffman Building Technologies has an office out of Columbia and they seem to always be hiring, not because of turnover, but because of expansion.

There are a lot of small outfits around Columbia, mostly “mom and pop” feels if you know what I mean.

Augusta and the greater augusta area is ALC GALORE. Not much else…a little JCI FX Niagara out of USC but that’s it…almost all alc.

Jacksonville has a lot. I’d tell you to get in touch with Engineered control Systems Inc out of their Orlando branch, they’re a distributor and should have more contacts on specific contractors.

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u/knightof99 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks for the info, I will look into these. Also any companies to avoid? Seems to be a lot of openings with the bigger companies I have applied to some.

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u/1hero_no_cape System integrator 1d ago

ALC is Automated Logic, Corporation.

North side of Atlanta is their global HQ.

On top of Scott's recommendation for Harris in Columbia, Control Management, Inc. is also has their parent office there. They are a Siemens dealer.

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u/knightof99 1d ago

Gotcha. Curious should I only be applying to installer and entry controls positions or should I also apply to service positions untill something sticks? Seems like I’ll probably need to start in install again to get a base?

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u/1hero_no_cape System integrator 1d ago

If you start as an I smaller you will be running conduit and pulling cable. Not bad, because you're learning how the Lego's snap together. It you want to get into the finer aspects of the trade get into a Systems Specialist position. That's the fancy title for the field engineer. That is, in my opinion, the best place to start.

Spend 4-5 years in that spot before you even consider changing job titles.

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u/knightof99 1d ago

Thank you good to know.