Employers

Smart building systems designers are employed by construction companies, as well as by architectural and engineering firms and other companies that provide design services to the construction industry. Some designers are self-employed. Others works as teachers at the high school or college level.

Starting Out

Many students land their first jobs as a result of contacts they made during internships, co-ops, or other experiential learning programs. If you’re unable to participate in one of these learning opportunities, try to land a part-time job or volunteer at a smart building design firm. Regardless of what type of experience you obtain while in college, be sure to begin to research companies that you are interested in working for in order to understand the educational and skill requirements needed to enter the field. Follow companies on LinkedIn, attend career fairs and other networking events, and check out job advertisements in newspapers and trade publications, as well as at job sites. Use the resources of your college’s career services office (CSOs). Career counselors can help you create a quality resume and improve your interviewing skills. Many CSOs organize career fairs and recruiting visits from companies seeking to hire new college graduates. Some have established internship and co-op programs with smart building design companies and related employers.   

Entry-level smart building systems designers usually begin as junior designers or smart building systems technicians. They perform basic design duties, conduct research, and do other tasks that support the work of experienced designers. After acquiring experience and developing their technical and leadership skills, junior designers can advance to the position of lead project designer, who oversees the work of lower-level designers, drafters, and technicians. Highly talented designers with strong managerial and leadership abilities can become directors of smart building system design, who supervise all of the projects that their company is currently undertaking. They work closely with the company’s executives to set budgets, attract new clients, and establish long-term goals for the firm. Some designers open their own design firms. Others choose to teach young people about smart building design by working as high school teachers or college professors. Some designers use their expertise in smart building systems to transition to a career in smart building systems sales.

Read Smart Buildings Magazine (https://smartbuildingsmagazine.com) and CABA Journal (https://www.caba.org/CABA/News/CABA_Journal/CABA/Resources/Journal.aspx) to learn more about the field.

Create a portfolio of your student design projects and other work so that you are ready to interview for jobs.

Join professional engineering, industrial design, and architecture associations to access training and networking opportunities, industry publications, and employment opportunities.

Join LinkedIn groups such as The Smart Home, The Smart Green Home, and Smart Buildings to network and stay up to date on developments in the field.