Agricultural Engineer
Job Description:Agricultural engineers make and maintain agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery and equipment.
Job Category:What you will do:
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- assessing the environmental impact of agricultural production methods
- supervising construction projects, like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation
- solving engineering problems, like designing all-terrain vehicles to move over uneven ground in different weather conditions
- testing and installing new equipment, like harvesters, crop sprayers and logging machinery
- using GPS, weather data and computer modelling to advise farmers and businesses on land use
- planning service and repair programmes for machinery
You may also manage and coordinate sales, marketing and technical support.
Skills:
You’ll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- design skills and knowledge
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
Entry Requirements:
You’ll need a foundation degree, HND or degree in:
- agricultural engineering
- environmental engineering
- electrical or mechanical engineering
If you’ve got a further education qualification in a land-based engineering subject, or relevant experience, you could start as an agricultural engineering technician. You’d then complete further study to qualify as an engineer.
You could get into this job through an apprenticeship.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but your hours may be longer to meet deadlines.
You’ll usually be based in a laboratory or workshop. For design and research work you’ll use an office.
You’ll work on farms or construction projects in all weather conditions.
You may have to travel in the UK and overseas.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience you could move into project management or specialist technical research and development.
You could also work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status by applying to the Engineering Council. As a chartered engineer you’ll plan, research and develop new ideas.
You could also move into technical sales, business development, teaching or consultancy work.