Occupation Details
Agricultural Engineers
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$56,130.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$82,160.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$113,290.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
63,650
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
74,330
+1,068 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
5,487
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Professional Engineer
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Plotters
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- ESRI ArcView
- Eagle Point LANDCADD
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Java
- Oracle software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use geographic positioning system (GPS)
- test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- evaluate product design
- judge soil conditions
- lead teams in engineering projects
- direct personnel in support of engineering activities
- delegate authority for engineering activities
- write business project or bid proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop plans for programs or projects
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- coordinate engineering project activities
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
- estimate cost for engineering projects
- estimate time needed for project
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret aerial photographs
- advise clients or customers
- advise clients regarding engineering problems
- recommend materials for products
- work as a team member
- perform safety inspections in agricultural, forestry, or fishing setting
- inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
- examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
- understand engineering data or reports
- prepare long term or short term plans
- plan testing of engineering methods
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- design construction projects
- design control systems
- design engineered systems
- design electronic equipment
- design machines
- design power equipment
- create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
- design electro-mechanical equipment
- draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
- write product performance requirements
- calculate engineering specifications
- use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
- use government regulations
- use hazardous materials information
- use hazardous disposal techniques
- use pollution control techniques
- use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
- use scientific research methodology
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- use technical regulations for engineering problems
- use building or land use regulations
- follow manufacturing methods or techniques
- use biological research techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use project management techniques
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- communicate technical information
- confer with scientists
- confer with research personnel
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- analyze engineering design problems
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- evaluate costs of engineering projects
- evaluate engineering data
- evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
- provide analytical assessment of engineering data
- analyze ecosystem data
- perform statistical analysis
- analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
- analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
- analyze test data
- analyze engineering test data
- collect scientific or technical data
- read blueprints
- read maps
- read schematics
- read technical drawings
- use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
- resolve agricultural production problems
- resolve engineering or science problems
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
- Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
- Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
- Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Agricultural engineers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems.
Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (Elementary)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (High School)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (Intermediate)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreEngineers (Intro)
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreLiveScience
LiveScience is an original content site focusing on the innovative and intriguing in Science and Technology. The website covers news, views and scientific inquiry from an original, provocative point of view. With articles by respected science journalists and contributors, LiveScience looks at new discoveries, intellectual adventures and the idiosyncrasies of the world that surrounds us. The main topics include Animal Domain, Health SciTech, Forces of Nature, Environment, Technology and Science of Fiction.
Learn MoreSci4Kids
Bridging the gap between science, agriculture, and kids, Sci4Kids is geared to children ages 8 to 13. The site is a series of interactive stories based on research projects featured in Agricultural Research. Themes include transportation, weird science, cities, aquaculture and more!
Learn More