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