James O’Connell
Patchway,Bristol
Summary
Experienced professional with over 7 years of expertise spanning control panel manufacturing, office-based operations, and on-site commissioning and maintenance. Demonstrates strong proficiency in mechanical and control panel drawings, alongside extensive experience working with the IQL/IQ2/IQ3/IQ422/963/962 Trend controller and graphics range. Skilled in punctuality, effective written and verbal communication, and fundamental IT capabilities, complemented by a solid foundation in office-based skills. Committed to delivering high-quality results while leveraging technical knowledge to support operational excellence.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
15
15
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Site Engineer
Kimera Controls
2013.01 - 2026.07
- Kimera Controls was originally setup by an old 2A’s maintenance engineer who I had previously worked with. On being made redundant at 2A’s, he took 40 service contracts with him and setup his own business. As the business grew, he acquired install work and as a result couldn’t manage all of the service contracts himself. Having worked with him previously at 2A’s on service sites he contacted me to see if I was interested which I was.
- My role at Kimera shortly began by shadowing my boss and being introduced to all of the service contract clients. Very soon in to my role I had taken over all service visits, I was attending every call out and I’m now in charge of any install work which we acquire which includes writing the Trend strategy, attending site to commission/carry out any site panel modifications and handing the project over to the client.
- I currently cover any site duties while my boss resides in the office providing project management/tenders etc.
- Being a commissioning or maintenance engineer is my preferred role in the BMS industry. As I am now competent with Trend control systems I am open to learn an alternative system such as Siemens, Priva, Tridium etc.
Site Engineer
Kimera Controls
2013.01 - 2026.07
- Kimera Controls was originally setup by an old 2A’s maintenance engineer who I had previously worked with. On being made redundant at 2A’s, he took 40 service contracts with him and setup his own business. As the business grew, he acquired install work and as a result couldn’t manage all of the service contracts himself. Having worked with him previously at 2A’s on service sites he contacted me to see if I was interested which I was.
- My role at Kimera shortly began by shadowing my boss and being introduced to all of the service contract clients. Very soon in to my role I had taken over all service visits, I was attending every call out and I’m now in charge of any install work which we acquire which includes writing the Trend strategy, attending site to commission/carry out any site panel modifications and handing the project over to the client.
- I currently cover any site duties while my boss resides in the office providing project management/tenders etc.
- Being a commissioning or maintenance engineer is my preferred role in the BMS industry. As I am now competent with Trend control systems I am open to learn an alternative system such as Siemens, Priva, Tridium etc.
Project Engineer
SH Controls
2010.10 - 2012.12
- Learning to project manage contracts from start to finish under the supervision of the Project Director. SH Controls had two large contracts including B & Q and Marston’s pub chain. My role included assisting with any install projects as well as complete control over the Marston’s pubs which were all similar in design, however, each had a unique twist.
- Project management duties included creating BMS point’s lists, securing control panel manufacture, securing electrical contractor, checking control panel drawings for any errors prior to manufacture, ordering kit for the project, organizing engineer time, liaising with the client etc.
- Although I gave project management some time, unfortunately I never enjoyed it as much as being out on site commissioning or carrying out maintenance. As a result, this led me into my next and current role below.
Project Engineer
SH Controls
2010.10 - 2012.12
- Learning to project manage contracts from start to finish under the supervision of the Project Director. SH Controls had two large contracts including B & Q and Marston’s pub chain. My role included assisting with any install projects as well as complete control over the Marston’s pubs which were all similar in design, however, each had a unique twist.
- Project management duties included creating BMS point’s lists, securing control panel manufacture, securing electrical contractor, checking control panel drawings for any errors prior to manufacture, ordering kit for the project, organizing engineer time, liaising with the client etc.
- Although I gave project management some time, unfortunately I never enjoyed it as much as being out on site commissioning or carrying out maintenance. As a result, this led me into my next and current role below.
Apprentice
2A’s BMS Specialists
2007.08 - 2010.10
- Learning the 2A’s standard of manufacturing control panels including independently laying out and mechanically fixing equipment to the panel, wiring the control panel using control panel drawings. Experience in manufacturing control panels up to 800mm x 800mm.
- During my limited spell in the office I developed skills in compiling O & M Manuals in an electronic or folder format and directly sending them to the client.
- In my preferred role of commissioning I have learnt how to connect to a Trend IQL/IQ3/IQ2 system and have an understanding of strategy enabling me to drive valves/test sensors/DP switches etc
- I have been out before with the maintenance team, this involved fault finding the 963 system for any unusual alarms or conditions, analyzing what it could be and correcting the problem. I am able to interrogate the 963 Trend supervisor and identify problems with how things are operating on my own accord.
Apprentice
2A’s BMS Specialists
2007.08 - 2010.10
- Learning the 2A’s standard of manufacturing control panels including independently laying out and mechanically fixing equipment to the panel, wiring the control panel using control panel drawings. Experience in manufacturing control panels up to 800mm x 800mm.
- During my limited spell in the office I developed skills in compiling O & M Manuals in an electronic or folder format and directly sending them to the client.
- In my preferred role of commissioning I have learnt how to connect to a Trend IQL/IQ3/IQ2 system and have an understanding of strategy enabling me to drive valves/test sensors/DP switches etc
- I have been out before with the maintenance team, this involved fault finding the 963 system for any unusual alarms or conditions, analyzing what it could be and correcting the problem. I am able to interrogate the 963 Trend supervisor and identify problems with how things are operating on my own accord.
Education
GCSE - Science: Double Award, English, English Literature, Mathematics, Music, Geography, German, ICT, Design & Technology: Graphic Products, Religious Studies
Hartcliffe School
1999.09 - 2004.09
GCSE, AS-Level - Mathematics, English, IT, Business Studies, Advanced Theology
St Brendan’s College
2004.09 - 2006.09
Electrical Installation Level 2 - Working effectively and safely in an Electro-technical environment, Installation (Buildings and structures), Principles of electro-technology
Ashley Down College
2006.09 - 2008.07
Electrical Installation Level 3 - Installation (Buildings and structures): Inspection, testing and commissioning, Fault diagnosis and rectification, Application of health and safety and electrical principles
Ashley Down College
2006.09 - 2008.07
HNC building services year 1 - Health, safety and welfare, Management principles and application, Heating, Analytical methods, Thermofluids and acoustic criteria
City of Bath College
2008.09 - 2010.09
HNC building services year 2 - Air Conditioning, Design principles and application, Energy utilization and efficiency, Dimensional analysis, Group project
City of Bath College
2008.09 - 2010.09
Skills
- Punctual
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Good fundamental IT skills
- Control panel manufacture experience (1 ½ years)
- Office based skills (2 ½ years experience)
- On site commissioning/maintenance experience (3 ½ Years Experience)
- Good understanding of mechanical control panel drawings
- Experience working on IQL/IQ2/IQ3/IQ422/963/962 Trend controller/graphics range
Accomplishments
- Passing a HNC in Building services engineering
- Completing commissioning of a Trend IQ3 boilerhouse control panel including writing the strategy, attending site to commission the panel and providing handover to the client
- Good understanding of SET strategy. Experience in writing basic boilerhouse strategies and carrying out on site modifications
- Experience in using 963/962 including making on site alterations, setting up alarm retransmissions, half term shutdown periods etc.
- Manufacturing control panels
Manufacturer courses
- Trend introduction course
- Trend 963 operator course
- Trend IQ engineering course
- Trend System engineering course
Vocational qualifications
- NVQ Level 2 Mechanical manufacturing engineering (production assembly)
- MME2/001 Complying with statutory regulations and organizational safety requirements
- MME2/002 Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
- MME2/003 Working efficiently and effectively in engineering
- MME2/029 Assembling electrical or electronic components to mechanical equipment
- Performing engineering operations
- PEO2/001 Working safely in an engineering environment
- PEO2/002 Working efficiently and effectively in engineering
- PEO2/003 Using and communicating technical information
- Key skills
- Key skills level 2 in improving own learning and performance
- Key skills level 2 in working with others
NVQ level 3
- ICM/001 Complying with statutory regulations and organizational safety requirements
- ICM/002 Using engineering drawings and documents in installation and commissioning activities
- ICM/003 Working efficiently and effectively in engineering
- ICM/004 Handing over and confirming completion of installation or commissioning activities
- ICM/008 Installing instrumentation and control equipment
- ICM/024 Commissioning instrumentation and control equipment and systems
Affiliations
- Football, gym,
Timeline
Site Engineer
Kimera Controls
2013.01 - 2026.07
Site Engineer
Kimera Controls
2013.01 - 2026.07
Project Engineer
SH Controls
2010.10 - 2012.12
Project Engineer
SH Controls
2010.10 - 2012.12
HNC building services year 1 - Health, safety and welfare, Management principles and application, Heating, Analytical methods, Thermofluids and acoustic criteria
City of Bath College
2008.09 - 2010.09
HNC building services year 2 - Air Conditioning, Design principles and application, Energy utilization and efficiency, Dimensional analysis, Group project
City of Bath College
2008.09 - 2010.09
Apprentice
2A’s BMS Specialists
2007.08 - 2010.10
Apprentice
2A’s BMS Specialists
2007.08 - 2010.10
Electrical Installation Level 2 - Working effectively and safely in an Electro-technical environment, Installation (Buildings and structures), Principles of electro-technology
Ashley Down College
2006.09 - 2008.07
Electrical Installation Level 3 - Installation (Buildings and structures): Inspection, testing and commissioning, Fault diagnosis and rectification, Application of health and safety and electrical principles
Ashley Down College
2006.09 - 2008.07
GCSE, AS-Level - Mathematics, English, IT, Business Studies, Advanced Theology
St Brendan’s College
2004.09 - 2006.09
GCSE - Science: Double Award, English, English Literature, Mathematics, Music, Geography, German, ICT, Design & Technology: Graphic Products, Religious Studies
Hartcliffe School
1999.09 - 2004.09