Design Engineer
Design engineers design and develop agricultural equipment and system products that allow farmers to improve the yield of their land. They also serve as a technical resource by participating in design reviews and providing input on new projects.
Future Job Market
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Fair
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Good
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Excellent
Typical Employers:
Design engineers most often work for agricultural equipment and systems manufacturers.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
- Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association
- American Welding Society
- Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Salary:
$78,000?
SAE Connections:
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Design major components and/or subsystems
- Develop and evaluate product designs based on customer needs, manufacturability, cost and safety
- Develop design specifications, collaborating with product management, sales and marketing, manufacturing, product development, testing and customers for projects assigned
- Develop test plans and direct testing of the design
- Ensure all requirements are completed to meet prototype and test schedules
- Set product quality and tolerance specifications for designs
- Design and/or select hydraulic, power transmission and structural components needed to implement design
- Perform engineering design calculations
- Operate design software to design, lay out, produce drawings and develop bills of materials
- Work with the manufacturing department to develop tooling and new manufacturing processes as assigned
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to customers, vendors and other departments or facilities
- Research new products, technologies, materials, construction methods, testing procedures and competitive equipment in the industry
- Participate in product design reviews and provide input based on experience and knowledge
- Provide technical support as needed to purchasing, suppliers, manufacturing, dealers and customers
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education, especially agricultural mechanics
- industrial technology
- welding
- computer skills
- advanced mathematics
Education/Training Required:
A bachelor’s degree in agricultural, chemical or mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline is required. Knowledge in machining, steel fabrication and welding are also essential.
