Agricultural engineer

Agricultural engineers intervene in a variety of matters within the agriculture field in combination with engineering concepts. They design and develop machinery and equipment for an efficient and sustainable exploitation of the land. They advise on the use of resources in agricultural sites comprising the usage of water and soil, harvesting methods, and waste management.

The following job titles also refer to agricultural engineer:

agricultural consultant engineer
agricultural engineering consultant
agricultural engineering adviser
agricultural technology engineering expert
agriculture engineer
agricultural technology engineering adviser
agricultural technology engineering consultant
agricultural landscape engineer
agricultural engineering expert
agricultural technology engineering specialist
agricultural technology engineer
agricultural engineering specialist

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as agricultural engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Agricultural engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to agricultural engineer.

heating, ventilation, air conditioning engineer
precision engineer
robotics engineer
naval architect
rolling stock engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of agricultural engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of agricultural engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of agricultural engineer.

Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Legislation in agriculture: Body of regional, national and European laws enacted in the field of agriculture and forestry concerning various issues such as product quality, environmental protection and trade.
Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of agricultural engineer.

Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Execute feasibility study: Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.
Assess financial viability: Revise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Assess if the agreement or project will redeem its investment, and whether the potential profit is worth the financial risk.
Approve engineering design: Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of agricultural engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Design principles: The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
Pollution legislation: Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
Agricultural production principles: Principles and conditions of organic and sustainable agricultural production.
Environmental legislation: The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
Irrigation systems: The methods and systems management in irrigation.
Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Civil engineering: The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Product data management: The use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of agricultural engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Develop agricultural policies: Develop programmes for the development of new technologies and methodologies in agriculture, as well as the development and implementation of improved sustainability and environmental awareness in agriculture.
Oversee construction project: Make sure that the construction project is carried out in compliance with the building permit, the execution plans, the performance and design specifications, and the relevant regulations.
Provide advice to farmers: Provide technical and economical advice in order to optimise the quality and production of agricultural products.
Maintain agricultural machinery: Maintain agricultural facilities and equipment in order to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust or repair when necessary, using hand and power tools. Replace defective parts components or systems.
Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
Advise on pollution prevention: Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.
Advise on irrigation projects: Advise on the construction of irrigation projects. Review contractor orders to ensure the compatibility of the design with installation concepts and pre-existent grounds master plan. Monitor the contractor’s work.
Create technical plans: Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
Analyse test data: Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
Draft design specifications: List the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.
Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Research improvement of crop yields: Study crop production in order to discover the best way to plant, gather, and cultivate crops to increase productivity.
Design prototypes: Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
Assess environmental impact: Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation’s environmental risks while taking costs into account.
Control production: Plan, coordinate, and direct all production activities to insure the goods are made on time, in correct order, of adequate quality and composition, starting from intake goods up to shipping.

2144 – Mechanical engineers

 

 

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References

1. Agricultural engineer – ESCO