Agricultural engineer
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Agricultural engineer
Agricultural engineer
This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business. Find advice on searching for roles like this inside our Employment Toolkit
Agricultural engineers build, improve and optimise performance, and service and repair agricultural, horticultural, recreational, professional grounds care and forestry machinery and equipment.
Agricultural engineers are key members of the land-based workforce. They can work to design, build, optimise and repair all the machinery used on farms and horticulture sites. This allows processes such as automation, cultivation, crop production and transport to occur in the most efficient way possible. Their work is increasingly important in crop production, animal care and environment maintenance sectors.
An agricultural engineer works on machinery that can include the latest cutting-edge technologies. This machinery can include anything from driven vehicles such as tractors, telehandlers or combine harvesters to automated feeding and cleaning systems, irrigation systems, drills and precision equipment. Some agricultural engineers also work on drones and non-driven vehicles guided by electronic sensors and sometimes satellite technology.
Agricultural engineers also consider environmental and conservation principles in the design and running of machinery. For example, they consider fuel input efficiency and factors, such as weight or tyre width on a tractor or other cultivation vehicle, to reduce soil compaction.
An agricultural engineer may work as part of a team at large dealerships or as a sole maintenance engineer on an estate, growing site or farm. They will have excellent attention to detail and an instinct for problem-solving and for ‘making things work’. They will excel at communicating with others and experimentation work is vital for this role. Their work might be indoors in a workshop environment or in the field repairing and optimising the equipment’s performance.
Agricultural engineers may end up working in a number of different places, including manufacturing companies, machinery companies, government agencies, engineering firms, food companies and consulting services as well as farms.
As an agricultural engineer, your responsibilities might include:
- Designing and constructing machinery, equipment, devices, or vehicles
- Testing the suitability of new machinery, equipment, devices, or vehicles
- Maintaining machinery, equipment, devices, or vehicles
- Diagnosing and repairing machinery, equipment, devices, or vehicles
- Optimising the performance of equipment to meet end user needs
- Identifying targets for development of new machinery equipment, devices, or vehicles
To work as an agricultural engineer, you should:
- Enjoy practical hands on tasks
- Have excellent attention to detail
- Be calm when working to deadlines
- Be able to focus for extended periods to complete work tasks safely and efficiently
- Be able to identify and report problems
- Have good communication and listening skills
- Be able to work well in a team or under your initiative
- Be highly motivated and keen to develop skills and knowledge
As an agricultural engineer you may benefit from having an aptitude for and experience of working with mechanical and electrical machinery.
You will be at home working with your hands to mend, improve and make things work.
This is a sector than can be particularly suitable for armed forces service leavers who have fulfilled previously engineering and maintenance roles. Their transferable skills are highly valued here.
The salary for an agricultural engineer is in the region of £30,000 to £45,000 per year.
This figure is for a full-time permanent position depending on level of experience, business type and location.
Within the agriculture and horticulture sectors there are often many associated benefits that are not reflected in the headline salary. These can include accommodation being provided or subsidised, travel pay, profit shares, vehicle use and production/performance bonuses.
As an agricultural engineer you could progress your career if you choose to do so. For example, you could develop your knowledge and skills through further training courses or further study.
There are a number of recognised progression pathways in the engineering sector.
New entrants may begin as apprentices or trainee technicians/engineers and then develop their career into specialisms, such as precision engineering.
Following more experience, engineers may be able to move into areas such as business strategy and management.
There are roles such as foreman, service manager, depot manager and even director available for individuals with ambition to work their way up in this sector.
Land-based engineering offers a wide range of qualifications across all levels. These include diplomas, T-Levels, degrees (with or without yearlong placements), Master's qualifications and PhDs.
These qualifications can be found using UCAS or through Landex – a group of 39 colleges and universities offering land-based qualifications.
Apprenticeships
Level 2 Land-based service engineer
Level 3 Land-based service engineering technician
TIAH Essential Skills
Our online Essential Skills modules can help you develop your skills and knowledge in a range of areas and are a great addition to your CV.
Anyone considering working as an agricultural engineer would find our Farming with safety in mind course helpful.
Return to our job profiles page for more exciting roles in farming and growing.
Next steps in a career from this role
Working in this role could be an important step in your career, potentially leading to the following positions:
