Agricultural Engineer

Working Schedule

Agricultural Engineers work full-time jobs, typically with nights, weekends, and holidays off. Overtime may be needed to meet deadlines. Occasional travel and exposure to inclement weather may be necessary. 

Typical Duties

• Work with farmers, seafood farmers, forestry professionals, and food processing teams on various projects
• Meet with employers, clients, contractors, developers, city representatives, and fellow engineers to review projects, goals, timeframes, and costs
• Create proposals, presentations, graphics, budgets, and reports for projects
• Use computer-aided drafting programs to design agricultural equipment, irrigation systems, climate control systems, facilities, sensor devices, layouts, parts, etc.
• Work with artificial intelligence and geospatial systems to improve and automate processes
• Design methods to alter and maximize where sun, rain, and wind affect fields and structures
• Assist with creating more efficient climate control and refrigeration systems, facilities for food and crop processing and storage, animal housing, land reclamation projects, and more
• Provide guidance and oversight for new construction projects (such as electric-power distribution systems, irrigation, or flood control systems), new mechanical systems, or production plant operations
• Offer expert advice regarding water quality issues, pollution management, and resource utilization

Additional Responsibilities

• Quality test machines and equipment for performance and safety
• Conduct site visits and offer consultations 
• Train and mentor team members, as needed
• Maintain good relations with local farmers, agribusiness owners, industry associations, and related organizations or agencies
• Create or present educational materials to farmers or farm co-ops to enhance sustainability 
• Research and develop new technologies and potential capabilities
• Stay up to date on manufacturers’ manuals, federal and state regulations, industry changes, and technological advancements
• Attend professional organization events to share information and learn from others

An Agricultural Engineer’s day often begins with reviewing project plans, checking equipment performance, and discussing current challenges with farmers, agricultural specialists, or other engineers. Depending on the project, they may be working on a more efficient irrigation system, designing machinery for harvesting crops, improving farm buildings, or developing technology that reduces water and energy use. They may visit farms or agricultural facilities to inspect equipment, evaluate soil and water conditions, take measurements, and understand how existing systems are working. For example, an Agricultural Engineer helping a farm improve its irrigation system might examine water flow, test pumps, and identify ways to distribute water more evenly across the fields.

Later in the day, they may work in an office, laboratory, or workshop using computer-aided design (CAD) software and engineering tools to develop or improve agricultural equipment and systems. They might create designs for a greenhouse ventilation system, test a new grain-handling machine, analyze data from soil and water sensors, or calculate the strength and safety of a farm structure. They also collaborate with mechanical, electrical, civil, and environmental engineers, as well as farmers and agricultural scientists, to make sure their designs are practical, safe, and cost-effective. Some projects involve building prototypes and testing them under real farming conditions before recommending improvements.

Before the day ends, Agricultural Engineers document their findings, update project reports, review budgets, and communicate progress to clients or team members. They may recommend changes to machinery, irrigation methods, drainage systems, or food-processing equipment to improve productivity and reduce waste. Some engineers spend much of their time in offices or laboratories, while others regularly travel to farms, factories, construction sites, and agricultural research facilities. Their schedules can vary depending on project deadlines, equipment problems, and seasonal farming activities. Their work helps make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and efficient.

Soft Skills

• Activities Coordination 
• Analytical 
• Attention to detail
• Business acumen
• Collaboration 
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Decisive
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Detail-oriented
• Independent
• Monitoring 
• Objective
• Organized
• Patient
• Perceptive 
• Problem-solving
• Reading comprehension 
• Safety-oriented
• Strong communication skills
• Visualization 

Technical Skills

• Computer-aided design
• Engineering and technology 
• Familiarity with applicable federal and state regulations
• Knowledge of fabrication and manufacturing
• Knowledge of the agricultural sector 
• Mechanical aptitude
• Operations analysis
• Risk assessment principles
• Strong science and math skills

• Farm Machinery Engineer: Designs, tests, and improves agricultural machines such as tractors, planters, harvesters, and other equipment used in farming operations.
• Irrigation Engineer: Develops irrigation systems that deliver water efficiently to crops, including drip irrigation, sprinklers, pumps, and automated watering systems.
• Soil and Water Conservation Engineer: Designs systems and practices that help prevent soil erosion, manage runoff, protect water resources, and maintain healthy farmland.
• Agricultural Structures Engineer: Designs and evaluates farm buildings and facilities, including barns, greenhouses, storage buildings, livestock housing, and grain silos.
• Bioprocessing Engineer: Develops equipment and processes for converting agricultural materials, crops, and organic waste into useful products such as biofuels, food ingredients, and other bioproducts.
• Food Process Engineer: Designs and improves machinery, production systems, and processing methods used to handle, preserve, package, and store agricultural products.
• - Environmental Agricultural Engineer: Develops solutions to reduce the environmental impact of farming, including systems for managing animal waste, controlling pollution, and improving resource efficiency.
• Precision Agriculture Engineer: Uses GPS, sensors, drones, robotics, and data systems to help farmers monitor crops, operate equipment accurately, and make better decisions about planting, watering, and fertilizing.
• Agricultural Automation Engineer: Designs and improves automated equipment and robotic systems that perform farming tasks such as planting, harvesting, sorting, and monitoring crops.
• Post-Harvest Systems Engineer: Develops technologies and facilities for drying, cooling, handling, transporting, and storing crops to reduce spoilage and maintain product quality.

• Governmental agencies
• Educational institutions
• Consulting service and engineering agencies

The work of Agricultural Engineers is vital for helping agribusinesses improve efficiency and become more sustainable. The national economy—and all food consumers—depend greatly on the success of such businesses. 

Surrounding rural communities are also deeply affected by how well local farms and agribusinesses are doing. Meanwhile, local citizens in general often take a keen interest in environmental and food safety issues. Suffice it to say, Agricultural Engineers carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders! 

The agricultural sector is continuously impacted by climate and environmental factors that affect crop production, exacerbate costs, and may result in economic losses. Agricultural Engineers do their best to assist these businesses as they try to adapt to changes. Part of this includes helping them be more “climate-smart” by incorporating sustainable, environmentally-friendly equipment, machines, systems, and processes. 

Agricultural Engineers assist with designing and adopting automation and robotics technologies; leveraging the power of data-gathering sensors and the Internet of Things; creating more climate-resilient infrastructures and better water management strategies; helping build robust food safety protocols; and devising strategies to reduce waste and create circular economies.

Agricultural Engineers may have shown early interest in science, nature, plants and animals, or building and tinkering with things. Many grow up in rural areas and are exposed to farming and gardening at a young age. Others simply love STEM-related activities and want to apply what they learn to improve the world around them!