Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Agricultural Engineer
What agricultural engineers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an agricultural engineer?
Review sensor data from a field. From there, the day usually includes design farm machinery, design irrigation, and design structures. Full time, with seasonal field work.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an agricultural engineer working full time.
- Review sensor data from a field.
- Design an irrigation layout.
- Meet a farmer.
- Test a planter prototype.
- Model drainage.
- Write a report.
- Plan field trials.
Where agricultural engineers work
Agricultural engineers work in offices, labs and fields.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with seasonal field work.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Design farm machinery
- Design irrigation
- Design structures
- Develop precision ag tools
- Conserve soil and water
- Test equipment
- Advise farmers
Tools you’ll use every day
- SolidWorks
- AutoCAD
- GIS
- GPS systems
- MATLAB
- Field sensors
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Feed the world
- Field and office
- Tech meets farming
What’s hard
- Small field
- Rural locations
- Seasonal deadlines
- Weather affects trials
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I grew up around farms
- I like engineering
- I like field work
- I care about food and water
- I like technology
- I want growing work
Not sure? Take the free Agricultural Engineer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow machine safety
- Watch PTO hazards
- Follow field safety
- Design for operator safety