Agricultural engineering technician
Agricultural engineering technicians help to solve practical engineering problems in land-based industries.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- help agricultural engineers develop new products
- create equipment plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
- install and test machinery
- research machinery developments and market trends
- demonstrate and sell new equipment and deal with enquiries
Working 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.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- become a senior agricultural engineering technician or workshop manager
- become self-employed if you have the knowledge and industry contacts
- move into a senior sales, management or inspection
- move into a training role and become a further education teacher
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- concentration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You could do a foundation degree or degree in:
- agricultural engineering
- agricultural machinery engineering
- agricultural technology
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You can do a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology or Land-Based Service Engineering at an agricultural college.
You could also do a T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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
You could do 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.
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
You might be able to apply directly if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant equipment.
Further information
You can find out more about a career in agricultural engineering from:
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.