Contract Irrigation Engineer: Water-Wise Farming

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Irrigation Specialist to manage design, installation, and maintenance of irrigation systems in the Welkom, Free State area and surrounding regions. The role focuses on efficient water use, crop yield optimization, and field-based problem solving.

The ideal candidate will have a qualification in Agricultural Engineering or related field and at least four years of hands-on experience with drip, micro-sprinkler, and center pivot systems, plus strong knowledge of

Qualifications

• Qualification in Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years hands-on experience in agricultural irrigation system design, installation, and maintenance.
• Proficiency with drip, micro-sprinkler, and center pivot systems.
• Knowledge of soil-water-plant relationships and their impact on irrigation scheduling.
• Experience with irrigation scheduling software and water management tools.
• Understanding of pump systems, filtration, and water quality considerations.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and the ability to travel to farm sites.

Responsibilities

• Designing and planning irrigation systems tailored to specific crops and soil types.
• Overseeing the installation and commissioning of new irrigation infrastructure.
• Conducting regular inspections and maintenance of existing irrigation systems (e.g., drip, sprinkler, center pivot).
• Troubleshooting and repairing irrigation system malfunctions to minimize downtime.
• Monitoring water usage and implementing strategies for water conservation and efficiency.
• Calibrating irrigation controllers and sensors for optimal performance.
• Advising farmers and farm managers on best practices for water management.
• Keeping abreast of new irrigation technologies and water management techniques.
• Ensuring compliance with water usage regulations and environmental standards.
• Maintaining detailed records of system performance, maintenance activities, and water usage data.

Skills

Irrigation design

Irrigation scheduling

Water management

Education

Agricultural Engineering

Tools

Drip irrigation systems

Micro-sprinkler systems

Center pivot systems

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Irrigation Specialist to manage design, installation, and maintenance of irrigation systems in the Welkom, Free State area and surrounding regions. The role focuses on efficient water use, crop yield optimization, and field-based problem solving.

The ideal candidate will have a qualification in Agricultural Engineering or related field and at least four years of hands-on experience with drip, micro-sprinkler, and center pivot systems, plus strong knowledge of