Graduate Engineer – Nursery Design & Machinery Specification

Ellepot South Africa; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A horticultural engineering company in East London is looking for a motivated Graduate Engineer to assist in designing modern nurseries and specifying machinery. This is a 6-month fixed-term contract offering practical experience in agricultural infrastructure. Ideal for recent graduates, it provides exposure to nursery layout design, technical documentation, and teamwork. Candidates should have a relevant degree and a strong interest in agriculture, alongside the ability to work both independently and in a team.

Benefits

Practical hands-on experience

Flexible working arrangement

Strong CV-building opportunity

Qualifications

• Recently completed or near completion of a relevant degree or diploma.
• Strong interest in agriculture or horticulture.
• Good technical aptitude and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist with nursery layout and workflow design.
• Support the specification of machinery and equipment.
• Contribute to infrastructure planning.

Skills

Interest in agriculture

Teamwork

Technical aptitude

Independent work

Education

Degree in Agricultural Engineering

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

CAD software

Job description

Graduate Engineer – Nursery Design & Machinery Specification

Discipline: Agricultural / Mechanical / Civil Engineering

Contract: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Location: East London, Eastern Cape

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote work possible)

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Graduate Engineer to support the design and development of modern horticultural nurseries and the specification of associated machinery and infrastructure.

This role is ideal for a recent graduate who wants to gain hands‑on, real‑world experience in agricultural infrastructure, nursery layout design, and machinery systems, while working alongside experienced professionals in the horticulture and engineering sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with nursery layout and workflow design
• Support the specification of machinery and equipment for nursery operations
• Contribute to infrastructure planning (structures, civils, services, utilities)
• Assist with preparation of technical drawings, layouts, and documentation
• Support data collection, site assessments, and design reviews
• Participate in problem‑solving related to production efficiency and system design

Minimum Requirements

• Recently completed or near completion of a degree or diploma in Agricultural Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Strong interest in agriculture, horticulture, or agri‑infrastructure
• Good technical aptitude and willingness to learn
• Basic understanding of engineering principles and drawings
• Proficiency in MS Excel and basic technical documentation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Advantageous (Not Essential)

• Exposure to CAD or layout software
• Interest in machinery, automation, or agricultural systems
• Any prior internship or practical engineering experience

What We Offer

• Practical, hands‑on engineering experience in real projects
• Exposure to nursery design, machinery selection, and agri‑infrastructure
• Flexible working arrangement (on‑site and remote options)
• Strong CV‑building opportunity for early‑career engineers

Contract Details

• Fixed‑term: 6 months
• Competitive graduate‑level remuneration
• Based in East London, with flexibility for partial remote work