AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION

An agricultural engineer who cannot pinpoint a hydraulic fault under field conditions costs a dealer far more than a day's lost labour. That consequence defines what this role actually owns. The Agricultural Engineer carries responsibility for on-site diagnostics, repair, and pre-delivery setup across a regional territory, working directly with farming customers who depend on uptime during harvest and planting windows. Dealer franchise obligations, including OEM training programmes and out-of-hours rota commitments, set the standard this role is measured against.

As the Agricultural Engineer, you will own the full diagnostic and repair cycle for tractors, combine harvesters, balers, and associated implements across an assigned regional territory, keeping farm operations running to contracted service levels. The position sits within a dealer workshop team, balancing independent field callouts with collaborative workshop cover during peak seasonal periods.

Career Impact: Completing OEM-accredited training on major franchise brands builds a specialist credential recognised across the UK agricultural dealer network.

Business Impact: Accurate first-visit diagnosis directly reduces customer downtime during harvest and planting seasons, protecting dealer reputation and repeat contract revenue.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to DGPS guidance systems, ISO bus, and telematics positions you to move into specialist precision agriculture support or a senior diagnostic technician role.

• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic faults on tractors, combine harvesters, and balers across an assigned regional territory.
• Perform pre-delivery inspection and setup on new and used agricultural equipment to manufacturer specifications.
• Complete job cards, timesheets, and daily administration accurately to maintain dealer service records.
• Participate in OEM and franchise-specific service training programmes to maintain technical accreditation.
• Support colleagues with complex fault-finding on difficult-to-diagnose machinery across the team's shared workload.
• Mentor apprentice technicians during workshop and field assignments to develop team capability.
• Operate dealer vehicles and diagnostic equipment in the field in compliance with road traffic and site safety requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of hands-on experience servicing and repairing agricultural, plant, or HGV machinery, with demonstrable diagnostic competency.
• Sound working knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems as applied to agricultural or construction equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical service manuals and wiring diagrams accurately.
• Strong IT skills sufficient to complete digital job cards and access dealer management systems.
• Proven ability to manage a regional workload independently and meet deadline-driven service commitments.
• Full UK driving licence, valid and without disqualifying endorsements.

• Previous experience with JCB, Case IH, or equivalent major agricultural franchise equipment.
• Familiarity with DGPS guidance systems, ISO bus, or telematics platforms used in precision agriculture.
• Experience mentoring or supervising apprentice-level technicians in a workshop or field environment.
• Participation in a structured out-of-hours or on-call service rota within a dealer or OEM setting.

• First-time fix rate, reflecting diagnostic accuracy on initial site visit without return callout.
• Job card completion rate within the same working day, measuring administrative compliance against dealer standards.
• OEM training modules completed per year, tracking franchise accreditation currency.
• Out-of-hours rota response time in hours, measuring availability against contracted service-level commitments.
• Customer revisit rate per repair, indicating repair quality and fault resolution on managed accounts.

• Base Salary Range: $52,000 to $72,000 annually, varying by region and franchise
• Bonus: Overtime availability typical; performance-linked bonus in some dealer groups
• Equity: Not standard for this level in field service roles
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus public holidays
• Common Perks: Company vehicle or van, OEM-funded specialist training, tool allowance

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful completion of a background check, and in some cases a motor vehicle record review, given the regional driving requirement, is a condition of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must hold a current authorisation to work in the United States.

The Agricultural Engineer delivers full-cycle design and implementation of agricultural infrastructure systems, including waste storage ponds, manure separation, and anaerobic digesters, for a client-facing engineering practice. Working across regulatory agencies, project teams, and farm clients, this role shapes technically sound outcomes through site visits, permit applications, and business development support.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with teams to identify, design, and implement creative solutions for agricultural clients.
• Assist with design projects on farms, including waste storage ponds, feed pads, runoff controls, manure separation systems, and anaerobic digesters.
• Develop project scope and timelines with clients to ensure timely and efficient task completion.
• Perform site visits to verify design criteria, collect data, and document construction completion details in accordance with engineering plans.
• Coordinate design teams and communicate regulatory requirements.
• Assist with business development, project coordination and management, and building outstanding client relationships.
• Communicate regularly with project team members, regulatory agencies, and clients.
• Prepare technical correspondence, project proposals, cost estimates, technical reports, work plans, permit applications, and project specifications.
• Perform fieldwork at project sites as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is a plus.
• 5–10 years of relevant work experience in engineering or a related field.
• Understanding of USDA-NRCS Conservation Practice Standards.
• Experience with project management and budgeting.
• Experience working with state environmental regulatory agencies is a plus.
• Ability to coordinate activities with vendors, clients, and contractors.
• Strong analytical skills with sound technical judgment.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

Embedded within a global capacity-building program, the Agricultural Engineer leads soil and water conservation initiatives and implements agroforestry and irrigation programmes to advance food and nutrition security across Rwanda. Working closely with institutional partners, government agencies, and community stakeholders, including youth and women, this role builds lasting organisational capacity in the agriculture sector.

Core Functions

• Enhance food and nutrition security.
• Promote the sustainable and efficient use of land and water resources.
• Strengthen institutional and organisational capacities in the agriculture sector.
• Lead soil and water conservation initiatives.
• Implement agroforestry and irrigation programmes.
• Engage youth and women in agricultural development.
• Increase access to agriculture finance for small farmers.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSc in Agriculture, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Ecology, or a related field.
• Postgraduate degree in Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of work experience in the region, ideally in Rwanda.
• Strong agricultural background.
• Knowledge of the Rwandan landscape policy.
• Experience in project management of agricultural projects.
• Experience with policy and strategy development in the agricultural sector.
• Experience with capacity development.
• Experience in strategy planning, writing, and reporting.
• Fluency in English is required; intermediate French is an advantage.

Reporting to senior engineering leadership, the Agricultural Engineer shapes the structural design of client buildings by developing plan views, cross-sections, and construction details while applying IBC and ASCE 7 provisions for a manufacturing-sector firm. Partnering with junior staff and client teams, this role drives project delivery from preliminary quoting drawings through final estimates and mentorship of developing engineers.

Primary Duties

• Develop plan views, cross-sections, and construction details for buildings to be constructed.
• Develop preliminary drawings for buildings in the initial quoting stage.
• Apply IBC and ASCE 7 provisions in design work.
• Develop estimates for client buildings, including quantity take-off of materials and applicable material costing.
• Provide mentorship to junior-level staff.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience studying or practising building design and engineering.
• Knowledge of construction methods and materials.
• Ability to perform relevant structural analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency in drafting, architectural design, or AutoCAD applications.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints and architectural drawings.

Sitting at the intersection of agricultural engineering and renewable energy technology, the Agricultural Engineer designs and sets up an innovative aquaponics system integrating aquaculture and agricultural fields for a solar-technology company developing off-grid devices. Operating across R&D, mechanical engineering, and field operations teams, this role advances system efficiency, power consumption reduction, and water quality reliability through sensor integration and cross-functional collaboration.

Duties

• Set up an innovative aquaponics system integrating aquaculture and agricultural fields.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and other R&D departments to create an off-grid system.
• Improve the system in terms of efficiency, power consumption, and features.
• Ensure the reliability and safety of the system.
• Set up sensors for water quality and waste treatment to maintain proper system operation.

Requirements

• Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• At least one solid experience in an agricultural field setting, such as industry or farm work.
• Experience or knowledge in aquaponics or hydroponics is mandatory.
• Experience designing and setting up aquaponics or hydroponics systems is an asset.
• Fluency in English is mandatory.
• Must be a motivated self-starter, flexible, and a collaborative teammate willing to work on a wide variety of tasks independently.