Irrigation Design Engineer - Arid Agriculture Specialist

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Irrigation Design Engineer for an agricultural engineering firm in Upington, Northern Cape. The role focuses on designing and optimizing irrigation systems to maximize water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid agriculture.

You will collaborate with farmers, consultants, and government agencies, handling hydraulics, ETc data, fertigation, and field installations in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field with irrigation specialization.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience designing irrigation systems in arid or semi-arid regions.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, soil–water relationships and water resource management.
• Proficiency with irrigation design software (AutoCAD, MS irrigation design tools, Hydrus).
• Familiarity with crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Design efficient irrigation systems (drip, micro-sprinkler, pivot) for arid environments.
• Conduct site assessments including soil analysis and topography mapping.
• Calculate crop ETc, climate data, and soil properties for water planning.
• Prepare detailed design plans, hydraulic calculations, and BOMs.
• Select components, pumps, filters, and control systems.
• Oversee installation and commissioning with field support.
• Develop and implement water management and fertigation plans.
• Stay updated on irrigation tech and precision agriculture.

Skills

Irrigation design

Hydraulic calculations

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Irrigation Design Tools

Hydrus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent agricultural engineering firm specializing in water resource management, is seeking an experienced Irrigation Design Engineer with a focus on arid and semi-arid agriculture. Based in Upington, Northern Cape, this role will involve the design, implementation, and optimization of advanced irrigation systems to maximize water use efficiency in challenging climatic conditions. You will work closely with farmers, agricultural consultants, and government agencies to develop sustainable water management solutions for diverse crops. The position requires a strong understanding of hydraulics, soil-water dynamics, climate data analysis, and the latest irrigation technologies, including drip, micro-sprinkler, and advanced fertigation systems. This is a critical role contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture in a water-scarce region. The hybrid nature of the role allows for essential fieldwork combined with office-based design and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Design efficient and cost-effective irrigation systems (drip, micro-sprinkler, pivot, etc.) tailored to specific crop requirements and site conditions in arid environments.
• Conduct site assessments, including soil analysis, topography mapping, and water source evaluation.
• Calculate water requirements based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) data, climate information, and soil properties.
• Develop detailed design plans, hydraulic calculations, and bills of materials for irrigation projects.
• Select appropriate irrigation components, pumps, filters, and control systems.
• Oversee the installation and commissioning of irrigation systems, providing on-site technical support.
• Develop and implement water management strategies, including scheduling and fertigation plans.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing irrigation systems to improve performance and water use efficiency.
• Stay abreast of advancements in irrigation technology, precision agriculture, and water conservation techniques.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in irrigation.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of irrigation systems, particularly in arid or semi-arid regions.
• Proven expertise in hydraulic calculations, water resource management, and soil-water-plant relationships.
• Proficiency with irrigation design software (e.g., AutoCAD, MS irrigation design tools, Hydrus) and hydraulic modeling.
• Familiarity with different crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment.
• A valid driver's license and willingness to travel to farm sites across the Northern Cape province from Upington.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund.
• This hybrid role provides the flexibility to balance essential fieldwork with office-based design and analysis.
• You will have the opportunity to work on impactful projects contributing to water security and agricultural sustainability in the Northern Cape.
• Join a dynamic team at the forefront of agricultural engineering.