Agricultural Engineers

Career summary

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#4/11/12 lh

Agricultural engineers help farmers find the best ways to produce crops. They research seeds, fertilizers, and other farm chemicals. Some agricultural engineers design and test machinery that is used to turn soil and harvest crops. They may design machines that process and store food. Others find methods to control plant and animal diseases.

Agricultural engineers design and supervise the construction of farm buildings. They may offer advice on heating, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical systems. They discuss ideas, plans, and changes with contractors, consultants, and farmers.

A number of agricultural engineers work on power systems. They may plan irrigation, flood control, and rural electrical systems. They may also advise farmers on the use of different power sources, such as solar and wind energy.

As the world's population grows, agricultural engineers work to help farmers produce more food. They find ways to conserve resources such as water and soil. They often manage or control systems that gather information on the environment. Some agricultural engineers work to control pollution. These engineers design and build equipment to treat waste or test water quality. They may also design land reclamation projects.

Related careers

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Scientists
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Conservation Scientists
• Environmental Engineers
• Food Scientists
• Geologists and Geophysicists
• Safety Engineers
• Science Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to agricultural engineers.

• Visit sites to observe environmental problems, talk with contractors, and oversee any construction.
• Design and use equipment and computer-aided design to evaluate and process farm products.
• Design and direct construction of buildings that house and process plants and animals.
• Test machines and equipment to ensure good performance.
• Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so necessary changes are made.
• Give advice on water quality, ground water, and pollution.
• Plan and direct construction of power, water, and flood control systems.
• Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.
• Meet with clients to discuss their needs.
• Research, design, and test farm machinery and equipment.
• Design equipment to study plants and animals.
• Prepare reports, drawings, plans, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
• Study the effects of the environment and farm chemicals on plants and animals.
• Conduct educational programs that help farmers improve agricultural productivity.
• Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects.

Common work activities

Agricultural engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Use computers
• Get information needed to do the job
• Process information
• Analyze data or information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Think creatively
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Evaluate information against standards
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Document and record information
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Monitor and control resources
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Develop and build teams
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Teach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, agricultural engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium to high level of social contact.
• Communicate daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
• Work as part of a group or team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors in office buildings, plants, and laboratories. Most work sites are heated or have air conditioning.
• May work outdoors at farm, construction, and other project sites.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment. They usually wear safety gear to protect themselves.
• May sometimes travel to work sites in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck.
• Often share the same work space, such as an office, with other engineers and workers.

Work performance

• Must be very accurate and complete in their work. Errors could lead to serious problems with farm equipment and products.
• Regularly make decisions that strongly impact how an agricultural company is run. They make these types of decisions on a weekly basis.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision or setting their daily tasks and goals.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines. This can make the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.

Hours/travel

• Generally work a set schedule. Most engineers work more than 40 hours per week. Project deadlines make longer hours necessary.
• Some engineers may travel extensively to plants or work sites.

Physical demands

Agricultural engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for agricultural engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for agricultural engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Agricultural engineers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use math and science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Agricultural Engineering
• Agronomy and Crop Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Agricultural Technologies
• Agriculture, General
• Engineering Mechanics
• Hydrology and Water Resources Science
• Plant Science
• Pre-Engineering
• Soil Science
• Water Resources Engineering

Training

To work as an agricultural engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching agricultural engineering, you need a PhD.

Work experience

Working on a farm is good background for this occupation. Internships are usually a part of a four-year degree program. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field. In addition, an internship improves your chances of finding a job.

On-the-job training

Most agricultural engineers receive one to two years of on-the-job training. New graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience, you receive greater independence. You also work on more difficult tasks.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Calculus and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Agricultural Business
• Agricultural Production
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Plant and Soil Science

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

For entry-level jobs, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering. In a few cases, employers may hire engineers who have been trained in other areas. Employers may require a master's degree or higher for research, consulting, and managerial jobs.

Employers prefer to hire agricultural engineers who are creative and curious. They also look for people who are detail-oriented and analytical. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work on a team.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• either senior standing at or an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. After licensing, a renewal fee of $116 is due every two years. Not all engineers in Washington must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#Licensing info ok 1/27/16 cj (& 1/30/18 cj, plus these notes: checked NCEES Examinee Guide & website for exam fees; Chemical & Nuclear PE exams only are now computer-based (c-b) & cost $375; all other PE's exams are transitioning from paper to c-b and are still $350; couldn't find Engineer-in-Training $30 licensing fee so deleted it, 1/30/18 cj. NCEES statement mod 4/15/19

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Agricultural Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Most engineers who work full time also earn benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, sick leave, paid vacation, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Engineering services
• Federal government
• Agriculture manufacturing

National outlook

Jobs prospects in this occupation are expected to increase even though this is a very small occupation. There are many opportunities for agricultural engineers who design new machinery and design applications for water resource management and alternative energies. As US firms market farm equipment globally, there are more job opportunities.

Other resources

AgCareers.com 
Western USA Office
866.519.7445

AgForLife 

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 
2950 Niles Road
St. Joseph, MI 49085
800.371.2723
269.429.0300

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 
4420 West Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
515.292.2125

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

International Association of Hydrogeologists 

Irrigation Association 
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22031
703.536.7080

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Ground Water Association 
601 Dempsey Road
Westerville, OH 43081
800.551.7379

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Soil and Water Conservation Society 
945 SW Ankeny Road
Ankeny, IA 50023
515.289.2331

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

References

Career cluster

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Agricultural Engineers (17-2021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Agricultural Engineer (013.061-010) 
• Agricultural-research Engineer (013.061-014) 
• Design-engineer, Agricultural Equipment (013.061-018) 
• Test Engineer, Agricultural Equipment (013.061-022) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Outdoor
• Technology Professional