Agricultural Engineers develop methods to improve efficiency in the production, processing, and distribution of food and other agricultural products. They are also concerned with the management and conservation of energy, soil, and water resources.

JOB DUTIES 

Agricultural Engineers may:

Visit sites to observe problems, talk to contractors, or monitor construction activities

Design agricultural machinery, equipment, and systems

Design, develop, and test agricultural structures and controlled environments for plants and animals

Design and use special equipment to study problems such as the effects of temperature, humidity, and light on plants or animals

Plan farmstead layouts

Plan and direct the construction of rural electric power systems and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems

Plan methods or design equipment to improve the processes to get crops to consumers

Design waste management systems for rural areas

Develop agricultural programs to improve productivity in under developed countries

Conduct educational programs to assist local farmers and groups

Teach at universities

Click here to see Agricultural Engineers at work!

The tools, equipment and materials used include agricultural equipment such as farm tractors, and harvesting and handling equipment as well as:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Agricultural Engineers may specialize in these areas:

013.061-010 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS develop methods to improve efficiency in the production, processing and distribution of food and other agricultural products. They are also concerned with the management and conservation of energy, soil, and water resources.

013.061-014 AGRICULTURAL-RESEARCH ENGINEERS conduct research used to develop improved agricultural machinery and equipment.

013.061-018 AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN-ENGINEERS use the information gained in agricultural research to develop machinery and equipment used in food production, handling, and processing.

013.061-022 AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT TEST ENGINEERS perform tests on agricultural equipment and machinery to make sure that the devices work properly and are durable.

Agricultural Engineers may work primarily in research and development, production, sales, management, teaching, or consulting. They may specialize in many different areas, such as equipment and machinery, structures and environment, soil and water engineering, food engineering, agricultural waste management, electric power, agricultural equipment sales, and international agriculture.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career exploration scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Agricultural Engineers usually work as part of an engineering team which is directed by a chief or project engineer. They may also supervise other engineers, technicians, or workers.

Most Agricultural Engineers work primarily in modern offices or laboratories. They may spend some time outdoors or in food processing plants testing new equipment or new processes. They may spend time in food processing plants to oversee the installation and startup operations of machinery or equipment. They take proper precautions to avoid hazards when working with machinery, toxic chemicals, or farm animals.

The normal workweek for most Agricultural Engineers is 5 days, 40 hours. However, the number of hours may vary with the type of work done. They may have to work overtime to meet deadlines. Some travel is necessary to attend meetings; conduct field tests; or visit food processing plants, farms, or equipment manufacturing plants. Because the field of Agricultural Engineering is changing rapidly, they must keep up with new developments by reading professional journals and attending professional meetings and conferences.

They may join professional associations such as the National Society of Professional Engineers , the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers , or the American Society of Agricultural Engineers . Members must pay fees or dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which involve the use of machines and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic in a clear and organized manner

• Know the meanings/relationships of words and use language effectively

• Perform mathematical operations quickly and accurately

• Visualize how flat drawings/pictures would look as solid objects

• Make decisions based on measurable data

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Direct and plan an activity or the activities of others

• Have agreeable working relationships with others

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

How much pressure must be exerted on a liter of water to compress it by 10%?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The net effect of surface tension is to make the surface area of a liquid as small as possible. That is, a given volume of a liquid tends to assume the shape that has the least surface area.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Document accurately an experiment that is going to test variable air pressure on a certain type of plant.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

After the results from an experiment come back, you have to decide the actions to take for the best plant growth.

To practice in Michigan, Engineers who provide professional services affecting health, life or property must be licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers of the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services. Licensing requires a bachelor's degree in an approved engineering program, four years of additional experience, and pass a 2-part, 16 hour written examination. One year of experience credit may be granted for a master's degree and one year for a Ph.D.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School); a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

005 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Programs in Agricultural Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify and solve technical and engineering problems related to the agribusiness industry and applying engineering principles to the production, processing, handling, and distribution of biological materials such as food, feed, and fiber. Major groups of employers are manufacturers of food production and processing equipment, electric power companies, farm building suppliers, educational institutions, and government agencies in the United States and abroad.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Analytic Geometry & Calculus

Computer Programming

Chemistry & Physics

Thermodynamics

Physical Principles of Biological Processes

Plant Environment & Animal Environment

Fluid Mechanics

Engineering Design of Structures & Machines

Environment

Soil & Water Engineering

Electric Power & Control

Crop Conditioning & Storage

Food Process Engineering

058 ENGINEERING (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Summer or part-time jobs with an agricultural equipment manufacturing company, farm experience, or experience in the Peace Corps are practical ways of gaining experience. High school students interested in engineering careers may join the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS). Postsecondary programs in agricultural engineering and packaging may offer opportunities for experience. College students may join local student chapters of national engineering organizations such as the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Work experience may be obtained through an agricultural engineering internship or an experience-based learning program.

The most common method of entry is direct application to employers. Government employers usually require civil service examinations. College or university placement offices may offer assistance. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers publishes the bimonthly "Agricultural Engineering", which lists job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

American Society of Agricultural Engineers  

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs and Career Portal

Yahoo!hotjobs

MONSTER.COM

MONSTERTRAK.COM

Engineering Jobs

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings depend on personal ability, education, and experience; the type, size, and location of the employer; and the duties and responsibilities of the position. Since many jobs are in rural communities where the cost of living tends to be lower, Agricultural Engineers generally receive lower salaries than other engineers.

Nationally, the median annual salary for professional Agricultural Engineers was $81,023 in mid 2009.

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in agricultural engineering received average annual salary offers (mid 2009) averaging $54,352.

Starting salaries (2009) for Engineers employed by the federal government were $35,135 or $43,521 for individuals with a bachelor's degree, $43,521 or $53,234 for those with a master's degree, and a minimum of $56,148 for Engineers with a Ph.D., depending on their college records. Agricultural Engineers in Michigan earned salaries similar to the national average. Some Engineers receive supplemental income such as bonuses and consulting fees.

Almost all Agricultural Engineers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, medical, and hospitalization insurance; sick leave; and pension plans. Some receive dental and optical benefits and educational reimbursement plans as well as savings and stock investment plans.

Engineering graduates usually begin working under the direction of experienced Agricultural Engineers. With experience, trainees may advance to positions of greater responsibility.

After several years, some Agricultural Engineers become administrators or managers. Others become consultants or teachers in colleges and universities. Graduate degrees are helpful in obtaining advanced level positions. Agricultural Engineers teaching in colleges and universities follow the typical career pattern of other faculty members.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were an estimated 7,556 Agricultural and Biological Engineers claiming membership in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in 2008. A similar number or greater may also be employed but not be members of that organization. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Modest growth is expected because of demand for agricultural products, emphasis on mechanization of agricultural operations, more complex food processing systems, and the use of agricultural products as energy sources. The Industry distribution for Agricultural Engineers looked like this: 
 

To find employers click  Employer/Business Locator.

The federal government has begun to reduce incentive programs which compensate farmers who grow fewer crops. This should result in more land being put back into production. Some small increase in employment opportunities may be available for engineers laying out new farms and irrigation systems. Recent cuts in federal research grants have had an adverse effect on the number of employment opportunities for graduate and doctorate level Agricultural Engineers.

The number of Agricultural Engineers employed in Michigan is unknown. Most of them worked for farm equipment manufacturers, food processing plants, electric utility companies, and farm equipment and supplies distributors. Others worked for engineering consulting firms, agricultural organizations, large farms, and farm related businesses, or taught in colleges and universities. A few worked for government agencies.

Employment of Agricultural Engineers in Michigan is expected to be favorable through the year 2006. Increasing modernization of farm operations, emphasis on resource conservation, water quality management, increased demand for agricultural products brought about by a growing population, and use of agricultural products and wastes as industrial raw materials should combine to expand opportunities for Agricultural Engineers. However, current economic conditions may affect immediate employment opportunities.

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth