Job Description

Agricultural engineering involves designing, developing and improving farm machinery, equipment and technology to improve a farm's efficiency. Their primary goal is to ensure farms are sustainable and environmentally friendly. They use their engineering skills and knowledge to evaluate and solve issues like pollution control, natural resources management, sustainable agricultural production, the environmental effects of intensive agriculture and how farms handle agricultural products following harvests.

While they primarily focus on agricultural land and equipment, they may also design and build different agricultural infrastructures, like warehouses, water reservoirs and dams. Agricultural engineering is a multifaceted career that integrates innovative technology like artificial intelligence with farming. It combines elements of mechanical, civil, electrical and chemical engineering with agricultural principles.

Duties and responsibilities of agricultural engineers
Here are the common daily duties and responsibilities of agricultural engineers:

Develop and maintain agricultural machinery, structures and equipment that complete basic farming tasks like harvesting, spraying and seeding
Design agricultural machinery and equipment whilst preparing drawings that specify the required materials and the method of manufacturing and construction
Perform research on farms and in laboratories to conceptualise ideas for safe, efficient and environmentally friendly food production
Stay up-to-date on industry news concerning technological advancements in the industry
Plan and develop designs for drainage, irrigation and flood and water control systems
Gather agricultural samples for experiments and analysis
Inspect and perform tests on their farm equipment designs to ensure they comply with local, state and federal agricultural safety standards and regulations
Oversee the entire agricultural product creation process from production to delivery
Present technical reports and provide regular updates on farming processes to stakeholders
Communicate with employers, colleagues or clients on agricultural engineering matters
Consult with other engineering professionals on specific projects
Design and then supervise the construction of agricultural-related infrastructures like farms, warehouses, dams and water reservoirs
Perform environmental impact evaluations
Analyse and develop strategies for effective soil conservation
Prepare and present reports on research findings