Overview

A Design Engineer designs and develops agricultural equipment and system products and serves as a technical resource by participating in design reviews and providing input of new projects.

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, layout, produce drawings, and develop bills of materials
• Work with manufacturing to develop tooling and new manufacturing processes as assigned
• Develop high level understanding and knowledge of company products
• Remain abreast of new products, technologies, materials, construction methods, testing procedures, and competitive equipment in industry
• Participate in product design reviews and provide input on design based on experience and knowledge
• Provide technical support as needed to purchasing, suppliers, manufacturing, dealers, and customers

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in agricultural or mechanical engineering is required. Knowledge in machining, steel fabrication, and welding are also essential.

To pursue a career as a Design Engineer:

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, agricultural mechanics, industrial technology, welding, computer courses, and advanced mathematics.

Typical Employers:

Design engineers most often work for agricultural equipment and systems manufacturers.

Future Job Market/Outlook

The future outlook for a design engineer will be good over the next five years. 

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