Agricultural Engineer - Precision Farming Specialist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybride; ZAR 344 000 - 620 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Remote-first role

Autonomy in projects

Exposure to cutting-edge agtech

Potential long-term engagements

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is seeking an Agricultural Engineer specializing in precision farming to design and optimize systems for remote operations near Pretoria, Gauteng. You will leverage GPS, sensors, drones, and data analytics to improve farm efficiency and sustainability.

The role emphasizes autonomous work in a remote-first environment, with collaboration across clients and partners to drive innovative ag-tech solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field with agricultural focus.
• 5+ years of experience in precision agriculture or agri-tech.
• Strong understanding of GPS, GIS, remote sensing, IoT and data analytics in agriculture.
• Proficiency with farm management software and data processing tools.
• Familiarity with agricultural machinery integration with precision tech.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Design, develop, and implement precision agriculture strategies for diverse farming operations.
• Install, calibrate, and maintain precision farming equipment (GPS, auto-steer, sensors, variable rate applicators).
• Collect and analyze agricultural data to provide actionable insights.
• Develop farm management plans maximizing input efficiency (fertilizer, water, pesticides).
• Provide training and technical support to farmers and consultants.
• Evaluate new ag-tech and software solutions and advise clients.
• Collaborate with research institutions and partners to stay ahead of trends.
• Troubleshoot equipment and software issues and contribute to product development.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to clients.

Connaissances

Precision farming

GPS

GIS

IoT in agriculture

Data analytics

Farm management software

Communication

Independent work

Formation

Bachelor's or Master's in Agricultural/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Outils

John Deere Operations Center

Trimble Agriculture Software

Climate FieldView

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client is a progressive agricultural technology firm seeking an innovative Agricultural Engineer with a specialization in Precision Farming to join their team, ideally based near Pretoria, Gauteng , though this role offers the flexibility of being fully remote. This position is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, focusing on the design, implementation, and optimization of precision agriculture systems. You will be instrumental in leveraging data and technology to enhance farm efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The role involves working with cutting-edge technologies such as GPS, sensors, drones, variable rate application, and data analytics platforms. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background combined with a deep understanding of agronomy and farm operations. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to shape the future of farming in South Africa and contribute to significant advancements in the agricultural sector. As a remote-first role, we are looking for a self-motivated individual who thrives in an autonomous work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement precision agriculture strategies and systems for diverse farming operations.
• Install, calibrate, and maintain precision farming equipment, including GPS receivers, auto-steer systems, sensors, and variable rate applicators.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret agricultural data from various sources (e.g., soil samples, yield monitors, satellite imagery, weather stations) to provide actionable insights.
• Develop farm management plans based on precision agriculture principles, optimizing input applications (fertilizer, water, pesticides).
• Provide technical support and training to farmers and agricultural consultants on the use of precision farming technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend new agricultural technologies and software solutions.
• Collaborate with research institutions and technology partners to stay ahead of industry trends.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to precision farming equipment and software.
• Contribute to the development of new products and services related to agricultural automation and data management.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to clients and internal teams.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science with an agricultural focus, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in precision agriculture, agricultural technology, or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong understanding of GPS, GIS, remote sensing, IoT, and data analytics in an agricultural context.
• Proficiency with farm management software (e.g., John Deere Operations Center, Trimble Ag Software, Climate FieldView) and data processing tools.
• Familiarity with various types of agricultural machinery and their integration with precision technologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple projects independently in a remote setting.
• Knowledge of crop production and agronomic principles.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for on-site client support and demonstrations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive contractor rate.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge agricultural technology.
• Significant autonomy and flexibility in a remote work arrangement.
• Potential for long‑term engagement and project‑based work.
• Exposure to diverse agricultural operations across different regions.
• Contribution to sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.