Agricultural Engineer

Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Agricultural Engineer; Agricultural Systems Specialist; Conservation Engineer; Engineer; Field Engineer; Product Engineer; Product Technology Scientist; Project Engineer; Research Agricultural Engineer; Research Engineer

Tasks

• Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
• Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
• Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
• Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
• Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
• Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
• Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
• Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
• Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
• Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
• Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
• Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.

Knowledge

• Engineering and Technology
• Computers and Electronics
• Design
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Biology
• Mechanical
• English Language
• Food Production
• Chemistry
• Production and Processing
• Building and Construction
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Geography
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Mathematics
• Science
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Speech Recognition
• Originality
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Far Vision