Day in the Life
 Agricultural
Engineers combine engineering principles with biological and
agricultural sciences. They work to develop equipment, systems, and
processes that help improve how the world's food supply is produced
and distributed. They are involved in problem solving, and must have
the ability to analyze a current system with an eye toward improving
the current process. They often have to look beyond a specific
challenge, such as a machine, or storage solution, and consider a
larger system, and how improvements or changes would affect the
whole.
 Job
Duties
Agricultural engineers often work in teams, and their duties involve
analysis of current methods and equipment applied to the production,
packing, and delivery of food products. They might work in a
group with other engineers, or those outside of engineering, to
solve problems related to systems, processes, and machines.
They may be involved in designing a water irrigation system, or in
determining alternative uses for agricultural byproducts. They may
participate in legal or
financial consulting regarding agricultural processes, equipment, or issues.
 Some
agricultural
engineers focus on machinery,
and may design equipment used in agriculture and construction.
These engineers might have a special interest in crop handling,
hydraulic power, or the growth of specific crops. They may be
employed by machine
manufacturing firms. Other agricultural engineers may find
themselves designing buildings or other structures used for
livestock, storage of grains, or experimental growing facilities.
Still other agricultural engineers might focus on developing systems
for food processing, such as drying processes, distillation, or long
term storage.
The
Workplace
The type of job
agricultural engineers have often determines whether they work
inside or outside. However, most work inside a majority of the
time. Some agricultural engineers whose tasks require visits
to farms, animal operations, or seed manufacturers may find that
they travel frequently. Many agricultural engineers find that
working directly with growers, for example, provides immediate job
satisfaction as it allows them to interact with people
their work affects.
Teams
and Coworkers
 Almost all jobs in engineering require some sort of interaction with
coworkers. Whether they are working in a team situation, or just asking
for advice, most engineers have to have the ability to communicate and
work with other people. Engineers should be creative, inquisitive,
analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of
a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
Communication abilities are important because engineers often interact
with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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