Agricultural engineer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices and outdoors and may travel locally
- May work in hazardous conditions
- Need to be logical, accurate and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Design farming equipment and systems
- Develop irrigation, drainage and water systems
- Create technical plans of equipment
- Discuss designs with clients
- Monitor environmental impact of projects
- Write technical documents
- Find and fix operational problems
- Test farming equipment and systems
- Give sustainability advice
- Provide technical information to suppliers and staff
Outlook
Agricultural engineering is being shaped by the need for more efficient, sustainable and technology-enabled farming. In New Zealand, this includes machinery, irrigation, automation, sensors, robotics and systems that help farms and orchards manage labour, water and environmental pressures. Globally, precision agriculture and artificial intelligence are growing trends. Opportunities are strongest where engineering can help primary industries lift productivity while reducing waste and environmental impact.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong engineering, maths and design skills
- Practical understanding of farming, machinery and production systems
- Ability to use digital tools, sensors and data
- Problem-solving for efficiency, safety and sustainability
- Clear communication with farmers, technicians and project teams
- Creativity in designing reliable, real-world solutions
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.