Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Parametric Design • Load-bearing • Adaptive Reuse

Building Systems

Term from Architecture industry explained for recruiters

Building Systems refers to the essential components that make a building work, like heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems. Think of it as the building's vital organs that keep everything running smoothly. When someone mentions Building Systems on their resume, they're talking about their experience with designing, coordinating, or managing these critical parts of a building. This could include working with air conditioning, electrical wiring, water systems, or fire safety equipment. Other terms you might see for this include "MEP Systems" (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) or "Building Services."

Examples in Resumes

Coordinated Building Systems integration for a 20-story office complex

Led the Building Systems design team for healthcare facilities

Optimized MEP Systems and Building Systems for energy efficiency

Managed Building Services upgrades in historical buildings

Typical job title: "Building Systems Engineers"

Also try searching for:

MEP Engineer Building Services Engineer Systems Design Engineer Mechanical Engineer Building Systems Coordinator Building Systems Designer Building Systems Specialist

Where to Find Building Systems Engineers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach coordinating multiple building systems in a large-scale project?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in managing complex projects, coordinating between different teams (like electrical, mechanical, and plumbing), and solving conflicts between different systems. They should mention experience with scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring all systems work together efficiently.

Q: Tell me about a challenging building systems integration project you managed and how you handled it.

Expected Answer: The candidate should describe a specific project, explaining how they handled problems, coordinated with different teams, and ensured the project met both technical requirements and client needs. Listen for examples of leadership and problem-solving skills.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure energy efficiency in building systems design?

Expected Answer: They should talk about basic energy-saving strategies, experience with different types of systems, and understanding of energy codes. Look for practical examples from their past work.

Q: What's your process for reviewing building systems drawings and specifications?

Expected Answer: The answer should show they know how to read and check technical drawings, understand building codes, and can spot potential problems before construction begins.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main building systems you're familiar with?

Expected Answer: They should be able to list and briefly explain basic systems like HVAC (heating/cooling), electrical, plumbing, and fire protection. They don't need deep technical knowledge but should understand the basics of how these systems work together.

Q: What software tools have you used for building systems design?

Expected Answer: Look for familiarity with common design software. They might mention AutoCAD, Revit, or other design tools. They should be able to explain basic uses of these tools.