HVAC Engineer Jobs UK – Commercial Heating & Cooling Vacancies

What does a commercial HVAC FM engineer do?

Commercial HVAC engineers — also known as commercial air conditioning engineers or building services engineers — maintain, repair, and commission heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in large buildings: offices, hospitals, retail parks, data centres, and industrial facilities. Roles range from PPM-based site engineers to mobile engineers covering multi-site FM contracts across a region.

Qualifications: F-Gas Cat 1 and SKILLcard

F-Gas Cat 1 (City & Guilds 2079) is the minimum requirement for most commercial HVAC roles involving refrigerant handling. Many employers also require 18th Edition wiring regulations and CSCS card. Specialist experience with AHU servicing, VRF systems, chillers, or BMS integration commands a salary premium — typically £42,000–£55,000+ for experienced engineers in the South East. For engineers seeking to demonstrate competency to tier-1 FM contractors, SKILLcard (REFCOM) is the de facto proof-of-competency card required by Mitie, Integral, and CBRE GWS on most managed contracts.

Types of role: Site-based engineers work within a single building or campus on planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules. Mobile engineers cover multiple sites for an FM contractor — typically with a company van and fuel card included. Commissioning engineers focus on new-build installs and system handover. BMS engineers require additional controls knowledge (Trend, Siemens Desigo, Johnson Controls Metasys) and command the highest base salaries in the discipline.

Salary benchmarks and regional rates

Regional salary benchmarks: London and the South East attract a 15–25% premium over the national average. A commercial HVAC engineer with 5 years' experience and F-Gas Cat 1 typically earns £38,000–£48,000 across the Midlands and North, versus £44,000–£58,000 in London. Mobile roles with multi-disciplined skills — HVAC plus electrical or plumbing — command an additional £4,000–£8,000 above single-discipline rates.

Key employers: The largest hirers of commercial HVAC engineers in the UK are tier-1 FM contractors including Mitie, ISS, CBRE GWS, Cushman & Wakefield, Integral UK, and Apleona. Regional FM companies and specialist refrigeration contractors often offer more autonomy and flexible packages. Many engineers with 10+ years' experience transition to subcontracting with day rates of £200–£350 depending on discipline and region.

Browse our F-Gas Cat 1 certification guide for current costs, approved training providers, and step-by-step routes to qualification. See also our 2026 FM salary guide for full regional breakdowns across all HVAC experience levels.