Careers Hub
All Job CategoriesAgricultural engineer
Agricultural engineer
Land-based engineer
Agricultural engineers build, service and repair agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery and equipment.
Average salary (a year)
£25000.0
Starter
£45000.0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
occasionally
Explore future careers!
Explore career paths and plan your journey with insights into future professions.
Explore by job categories
AdministrationAnimal careBeauty and wellbeingBusiness and financeComputing, technology and digitalConstruction and tradesCreative and mediaDelivery and storageEmergency and uniform servicesEngineering and maintenanceEnvironment and landGovernment servicesHealthcareHome servicesHospitality and foodLaw and legalManagerialManufacturingRetail and salesScience and researchSocial careSports and leisureTeaching and educationTransportTravel and tourism
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You can do a foundation degree or degree in agricultural engineering or agricultural machinery engineering. These courses are offered by land-based engineering institutions.
You can also get into this career with a higher national diploma or degree in environmental, electrical or mechanical engineering.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
A level 2 or level 3 Diploma in Land-based Technology or Agricultural Engineering may get you started in this role.
You could also do a T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.
Entry requirements
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
Apprenticeship
You may be able to start by doing a land-based service engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.
This usually takes about 36 months to complete as a mix of on the job learning and study.
Once working, you would complete further training to become an engineer.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could work as an agricultural engineering technician and train on the job to qualify as an engineer.
More Information
Further Information
You can get more advice about careers and training from:We are land-based engineering, Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee, The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Complex problem-solving skills
Knowledge of engineering science and technology
Design skills and knowledge
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
Analytical thinking skills
Concentration skills
The ability to work well with others
Persistence and determination
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Day to day tasks
In your day-to-day duties, you might
assess the environmental impact of agricultural production methods, supervise building projects, like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation, solve engineering problems, like designing vehicles for all ground and weather conditions, test and install new equipment, like harvesters or crop sprayers, use GPS, weather data and computer modelling to give advice on land use, plan service and repair programmes for machinery
assess the environmental impact of agricultural production methods, supervise building projects, like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation, solve engineering problems, like designing vehicles for all ground and weather conditions, test and install new equipment, like harvesters or crop sprayers, use GPS, weather data and computer modelling to give advice on land use, plan service and repair programmes for machinery
Working environment
You could work in an office, on a farm or in a laboratory.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
With experience you could move into project management or specialist technical research and development.
You could also work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status by applying to the Engineering Council. As a chartered engineer you'll plan, research and develop new ideas. The Institution of Agricultural Engineers has more information.
You could also move into technical sales, business development, teaching or consultancy work.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
Help & Support
Support Knowledge Base & FAQs