Higher Apprenticeship – Smart Building Controls Engineer

Salary: £24,580 + a range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing.  Salary upon finishing the Apprentice programme is circa £33,000 per annum

Locations: Altrincham (WA14), Chepstow (NP16), Egham (TW2), Gateshead (NE11), Glasgow (G33), Leeds (LS15), Birmingham (B35 7AZ)

Working Pattern: Fixed-Term | Full Time - field-based

Start date: August 2025

What is the role?

A Building Energy Management System (BEMS) controls engineer is a professional specialising in design, implementation, and maintenance of systems that monitor and optimise energy usage within buildings. The controls engineer is responsible for developing and deploying control strategies, and graphics interfaces, integrating sensors and actuators, and configuring software algorithms to manage environmental conditions, lighting, and other building systems. The goal is to achieve optimal energy performance, minimise environmental impact, and meet sustainability objectives through intelligent and automated control of building energy systems.

This Level 4 Apprenticeship is designed to develop apprentices into tomorrow’s Smart Buildings specialists. During this 3-year programme, you will receive comprehensive training which will enable you to develop your skills and technical knowledge, allowing you to achieve industry accreditations. Whilst on this apprenticeship programme you will learn:

- Design and maintain automation hardware solutions

- Understand how intelligent automation solutions interact with the real world through smart devices, sensors and control technology

- Understand a range of IT and other network solutions that enable building controls to communicate and interact with other systems to optimise building performance

- Design and develop automation control software

- Design and generate user interfaces to allow the building operators to make the most of their intelligent building systems

- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure that they provide the right technologies first time

- Be involved in delivering projects from initial conception to handover to the customer

What do I need?

We are looking for the right candidates to help our team build a future that’s more sustainable and inclusive. If you want to be a part of our team, we’d be keen to hear from you. We know it’s not all about qualifications, we’re more interested in your innate strengths and the qualities you can bring to SSE.

To apply, you will need:

- A strong interest in technology, as you will be working with automated control systems

- An interest in engineering or an interest in solving practical solutions

- An appreciation for our core values, particularly safety and the desire to do well

- Great communication and interpersonal skills

- To enjoy working as part of a team.

- For this apprenticeship candidates need to be 18+ when they start the programme (Aug 2025)

- It would be beneficial, but not essential, if you have an electrical installation/engineering background e.g. accredited qualification or hands-on experience working as an electrician’s mate

About Us

At SSE Energy Solutions, we're at the forefront of cutting-edge Building Management Systems technology. We're not just a company; we're a movement towards smarter, more efficient, and sustainable buildings. Our team is comprised of industry experts, committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of building automation.

We design, install, monitor, maintain and optimise Smart Building control systems.

Our business helps achieve optimised working environments leading to reductions in buildings’ energy consumption through the installation and maintenance of a variety of building control technologies, including Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), and the application of data analytics to provide building performance insights.

What's in it for you?

We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.

What happens next?

All applications should be submitted online.  Closing date Monday, 10th March, 2025.

We ask you to complete only one application during the apprentice and trainee recruitment cycle. If we feel there is a more suitable programme for you, we’ll let you know during the application process.

If you would like to discuss any working differently requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact apprenticesandtrainees@sse.com by email or you are very welcome to request a call if you would prefer to discuss on the phone.

Please note that SSE are unable to sponsor any candidates for our apprentice, trainee engineer and summer placement opportunities as these roles would not meet the Home Office eligibility criteria for sponsorship.

EXTERNAL: Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.

INTERNAL: As a courtesy, please let your current line manager know you are applying.

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