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- Hands-on problem solving with agricultural machinery and equipment
- Lots of variety and new challenges
- Progression routes into engineering and management roles
You could be maintaining and repairing machinery used in soil and water management, forestry engineering, ground care (like golf courses and parks), or food processing and engineering.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Help agricultural engineers develop new products
- Create equipment plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
- Make parts and build machinery
- Test the machinery's electrical and mechanical systems
- Carry out maintenance checks on mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Install machinery on site
- Inspect, remove, replace and test equipment
- Research machinery developments and market trends
- Demonstrate and sell new equipment and parts
- Look after client accounts or deal with enquiries and orders
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office, in a workshop or in a factory.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You'll need
You'll develop a knowledge of maths and physics, and will need to have good attention to detail and logical thinking skills. You can get started by doing a foundation degree or degree in agricultural engineering, agricultural machinery engineering, or agricultural technology. Or, you can do a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology or Land-Based Engineering at an agricultural college. You could also get into this job through a land-based service engineering technician advanced apprenticeship. You can do this with an equipment manufacturer, service and repair contractor or at an agricultural college.
You may be able to apply to vacancies directly if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant equipment.
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could start in this role before completing extra training and study to become an agricultural engineer. Or with experience and knowledge you could become a senior technician or workshop manager, or progress to a senior sales or management position.
You could also move into a training job as a college lecturer or technician, take on an inspection role, or become self-employed. You'll spend time outdoors in all weathers, and may have the opportunity to work with animals.