Heating and cooling system engineers install and service the heating and air conditioning systems found mainly in larger buildings like office blocks, factories, schools and hospitals. If you want a job that makes good use of your practical skills and one which is helping to develop sustainable green energy technologies, this could be the career for you.

You will need the ability to read technical plans, be able to work in tight spaces and have a good head for heights. You will also need to be a teamworker and be willing to travel from job to job.

Tasks:

1. Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
2. Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using drafting tools or computer-assisted design (CAD) or drafting equipment and software.
3. Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes to meet requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles.
4. Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
5. Develop and test models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications and necessity of modification.
6. Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.
7. Estimate costs and submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects, and prepare contract documents.
8. Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.
9. Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.

Key skills for a heating and cooling system engineer:

• To be calm in an emergency situation
• Ability to work well in a team
• The ability to use your own initiative
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Be aware of the industry and the changes made
• You should have good technical ability and problem solving skills

Average salary (2014):

United Kingdom: Experienced engineers could earn from £23,000 to £32,000 a year

Qualifications and training required:

Heat engineering, also known as heat transfer or thermal sciences, is an academic specialty of mechanical engineering. Almost all a engineers are required to hold a bachelor's degree in mechanical or stationary engineering, which may be earned in 4-5 years. Courses may include refrigeration, calculus, air conditioning, instrumentation and fluid mechanics. There are a few specialized programs offered through engineering or vocational schools that can award a student with an engineering diploma or certificate in the field. Students who want to study heat engineering typically do so during a graduate mechanical engineering degree or certificate program.