Agricultural engineer

Agricultural engineers design, install and service agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery and equipment. They also advise farmers, landowners and government departments on countryside issues. These could range from crop diversity through to sustainable land use.

If you like solving problems, are good at maths and science and want a varied job with excellent prospects this could be an ideal career choice.
To be an agricultural engineer you would normally need a foundation degree, HND or degree in an engineering subject. You might also be able to work your way up from technician level.

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Work activities

Your work would involve:

• 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.

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Working hours and conditions

You would normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, though when you're out and about your working hours may be longer, depending on the job.
You could be based in a laboratory, workshop or office for design and research work. Site work would be in all weather conditions, on farms or construction projects. You may have to travel, possibly overseas, depending on your role.

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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.

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Entry requirements

To become an agricultural engineer you can take a foundation degree, HND or degree in agricultural engineering. These courses are offered by:

• Myerscough College (Foundation Degree/Degree top-up in Agricultural Machinery Engineering)
• Wiltshire College (HND in Agricultural Machinery Engineering)
• Harper Adams University (Foundation Degree/Degree in Agricultural Engineering)

Check with the course providers for exact entry requirements.
You can also get into this career with a more general engineering foundation degree, HND or degree, such as:

• environmental engineering
• electrical or mechanical engineering

You can search for all engineering courses on the UCAS website.

• UCAS

If you have a further education qualification in a land-based engineering subject, or relevant experience, you may be able to start work as an agricultural engineering technician, then complete further study to qualify as an agricultural engineer.
Please see the job profile for agricultural engineering technician in the Related careers list.
For more information about careers and courses, see the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) website.

• Institution of Agricultural Engineers (Careers)

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Training and development

Once you start work, you would be given on-the-job training by your employer. If you have a degree, this might be through a graduate trainee scheme.
If you have a foundation degree or HND, you may be encouraged to top this up to a degree qualification.
You could improve your career prospects by applying for membership of the IAgrE at a grade that suits your level of experience.
The IAgrE operates a system of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for its members, which would help you to plan your career progression. With experience you could apply for professional registration and gain chartered status through the Engineering Council (UK). To find out more, visit the IAgrE website.

• IAgrE (Membership)

You may be able to apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status with the Society for the Environment if you have experience of environmental or sustainable development projects. See the Society for the Environment website for more details.

• Society for the Environment

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Skills, interests and qualities

To be an agricultural engineer, you should have:

• the ability to analyse data
• a creative approach to problem solving
• excellent technical, scientific, maths and IT skills
• the ability to prioritise and plan work effectively
• good budgeting skills
• the ability to take responsibility and lead a team
• the ability to meet deadlines
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• a willingness to work flexibly
• a commitment to keep up to date with new developments in technology and production methods
• an interest in environmental issues