Agricultural Engineers :: Job Description

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Agricultural Engineers

Careers / Agricultural Engineers

Summary Description


	Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Agricultural Engineer

2.	Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer

3.	Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer

4.	Agricultural Production Engineer

5.	Agricultural Research Engineer

6.	Agricultural Safety and Health Program Director

7.	Agricultural Systems Specialist

8.	Agriculture Consultant

9.	Agriculture Engineer

10.	Agriculture Scientist

11.	Assistant Professor

12.	Automation Engineer

13.	Conservation Engineer

14.	Design Engineer

15.	Engineer

16.	Engineering Leader

17.	Farm Equipment Engineer

18.	Field Research Associate

19.	Landscape Irrigation Science Professor

20.	Permaculture Designer

21.	Plan Service Engineer

22.	Product Technology Scientist

23.	Professor

24.	Project Engineer

25.	Regional Engineer

26.	Research Agricultural Engineer

27.	Research Associate

28.	Research Leader

29.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

30.	Test Engineer

Job Tasks

	Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems. Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment. Prepare proposal documents. Document technical design details.

	Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries. Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability. Direct environmental development activities.

	Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology. Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.

	Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made. Communicate technical information to suppliers, contractors, or regulatory agencies. Discuss designs or plans with clients.

	Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems. Design industrial processing systems.

	Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation. Prepare detailed work plans.

	Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations. Direct industrial production activities.

	Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction. Design structures or facilities. Direct construction activities.

	Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance. Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.

	Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities. Investigate the environmental impact of projects. Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.

	Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity. Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

	Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs. Discuss designs or plans with clients.

	Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life. Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Agricultural Engineers
	Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies, the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Agricultural Engineers
	Agricultural engineers work in a variety of industries. Some work for the federal government, and others provide engineering contracting or consultation services, or work for agricultural machinery manufacturers. Although they work mostly in offices, they also may spend time traveling to agricultural settings.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

Before becoming an actor, Harvey Keitel was a shoe salesman and a courtroom stenographer.

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