Science & ResearchISCO 2144

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.

Check yourself in a minute: agricultural engineer

Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

troubleshoot

adjust engineering designs

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

execute feasibility study

About agricultural engineer

As an agricultural engineer in Poland, you bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern technology, working to optimize agricultural productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. Your day-to-day work involves designing and developing innovative machinery and equipment tailored to the needs of agricultural operations, from small family farms to large commercial enterprises. You analyze soil conditions, water resources, and harvesting methods to provide expert advice on resource management. Your role includes conducting feasibility studies, assessing financial viability of new projects, and creating technical drawings using specialized software. You are instrumental in reducing waste, improving crop yields, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a agricultural engineer.

1

Machinery and Equipment Design

  • Design and develop agricultural machinery for efficient land cultivation and harvesting
  • Create technical drawings and specifications using CAD software
  • Apply mechanical engineering principles to improve equipment efficiency and durability
  • Troubleshoot existing equipment and recommend design improvements
2

Resource Management and Advisory

  • Assess soil quality and provide recommendations for sustainable land use
  • Advise on water resource management and irrigation systems
  • Recommend waste management strategies and environmental best practices
  • Guide farmers on optimal harvesting methods and crop rotation techniques
3

Project Feasibility and Planning

  • Execute feasibility studies for new agricultural development projects
  • Assess financial viability and cost-benefit analysis of agricultural initiatives
  • Approve and refine engineering designs based on practical and economic constraints
4

Compliance and Research

  • Ensure compliance with agricultural legislation and environmental regulations
  • Conduct scientific research on new farming techniques and technologies
  • Stay informed on e-agriculture and precision farming innovations

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.legislation in agriculturelegislation in agricultureBody 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.e-agriculturee-agricultureThe design and application of innovative ICT solutions in agriculture, horticulture, viniculture, fishery, forestry and livestock management.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.execute feasibility studyexecute feasibility studyPerform 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 p...assess financial viabilityassess financial viabilityRevise 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. Asse...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Optional (30) — show
climate smart agricultureclimate smart agricultureAn integrated approach to landscape management that aims at increasing food productivity, enhance crop resilience, ensure food safety and reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.integrated food-energy systemsintegrated food-energy systemsThe integration of food and energy production into farming or food production systems.design principlesdesign principlesThe 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 legislationpollution legislationBe familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.sustainable agricultural production principlessustainable agricultural production principlesPrinciples and conditions of organic and sustainable agricultural production.environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe 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 engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.product data managementproduct data managementThe use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.develop agricultural policiesdevelop agricultural policiesDevelop programmes for development of new technologies and methodologies in agriculture, as well as the development and implementation of improved sustainability and environmental awareness in agricul...oversee construction projectoversee construction projectMake 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 farmersprovide advice to farmersProvide technical and economical advice in order to optimise the quality and production of agricultural products.maintain agricultural machinerymaintain agricultural machineryMaintain 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 ...record test datarecord test dataRecord 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 exceptiona...perform test runperform test runPerform 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, ...advise on pollution preventionadvise on pollution preventionAdvise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.advise on irrigation projectsadvise on irrigation projectsAdvise 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 contr...create technical planscreate technical plansCreate detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.research improvement of crop yieldsresearch improvement of crop yieldsStudy crop production in order to discover the best way to plant, gather, and cultivate crops to increase productivity.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.conduct performance testsconduct performance testsConduct 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 conditi...use agronomic modellinguse agronomic modellingBuild and apply physical and mathematical formulae in order to study farmer's fertilisation, manage irrigation scheduling, define breeding targets, support cultivation choices in a given environment a...assess environmental impactassess environmental impactMonitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.design an artificial lighting systemdesign an artificial lighting systemInvestigate and design an artificial lighting system based on daylight, timer, or occupation of spaces, taking into account any technical specifications and restrictions, such as power quality and ene...control productioncontrol productionPlan, 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.irrigation systemsirrigation systemsThe methods and systems management in irrigation.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does an agricultural engineer do?

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.

What skills does an agricultural engineer need?

An agricultural engineer needs 13 essential skills, including technical drawings, legislation in agriculture, e-agriculture, mechanical engineering, mechanics.

Will AI replace agricultural engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for agricultural engineer is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, product data management, environmental legislation. Most resilient: maintain agricultural machinery, mechanics, develop agricultural policies.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills13

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