Work activities

• assessing the environmental impact of intensive agricultural production methods
• supervising agricultural construction projects, like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation
• solving engineering problems, for example, designing all-terrain vehicles that can move over uneven ground in different weather conditions (known as terramechanics)
• testing and installing new equipment, such as harvesters, crop sprayers, storage facilities and logging machinery
• analysing GPS and weather data and using computer modelling to advise farmers and businesses on land use, for instance how to increase crop yields or cope with changing climate conditions
• planning service and repair programmes for machinery.

Depending on the size of the company, you might also be involved in managing and coordinating sales, marketing and technical support.

Income

Starting salaries for graduate agricultural engineers are around £25,000 a year. Experienced engineers can earn between £25,000 and £35,000.

Chartered engineers can earn over £40,000 a year.

Some overseas relief and development positions may be offered on a voluntary basis.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

JOB AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS

Demand for agricultural engineers is supposed to multiply almost as quickly as the demand for all other occupation in the period from 2002-2012. The global trend toward standardization of all agricultural products and equipment will lead to greater demand for agricultural engineers. The increasing demand for agro-products, the efforts toward attaining greater efficiency in the agricultural industry and the emphasis of conservation of scare resources would result in higher job opportunities in this sector. Also, additional jobs will be created by agricultural engineers who leave the profession due to retirement and transfers.

The future of agriculture depends on the next generation of problem solvers. Creative and skilled individuals, like you, can use their knowledge of agriculture and life sciences, along with the problem-solving skills of engineering, to create new systems and solutions for the 21st Century.  Agriculture is changing faster than any time in history. That’s why, if you are interested in helping direct the future of agriculture, a degree in agricultural engineering is what you need.

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural engineering is also known as biological engineering, and it covers subjects from aquaculture (raising food sources that thrive in water), to land farming and forestry. These engineers also develop biofuels, plan animal environments, and find better food processing methods. Often they work in offices, but they are also outdoors and traveling to worksites where they oversee equipment function in agricultural settings, and assure that government regulations are met

Job opportunities and careers for biological engineers involved in agriculture, bioprocesses and the environment are frequently a combination of indoor and outdoor work. Engineering jobs may require product design and development, plant engineering and management, engineering consulting, and design of systems working with biological, natural resources and the environment. Jobs can be found in the private sector, research, teaching and government sectors.