Precision Agriculture Engineer: GIS & IoT Systems Lead

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Centurion, Gauteng, seeks an Agricultural Engineer to lead the design and deployment of precision farming systems, combining GPS guidance, VRT, sensor networks, and GIS. You will integrate technologies with agronomists and farm managers, ensuring optimized field operations and continuous improvement.

The role emphasizes strong GIS, data analytics, and IoT capabilities, with a focus on sustainable farming practices and scalable technology adoption across operations in Gauteng.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline with a focus on agriculture.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in agricultural engineering, with significant exposure to precision farming technologies.
• Proven expertise in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), data analysis tools, and agricultural management platforms.
• Hands-on experience with sensor technologies, automation, IoT in agriculture, and GPS systems.
• Strong understanding of crop production cycles and farm operational workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with drone technology for agricultural surveying is a plus.
• Must possess a valid driver's license for site visits across Gauteng.
• Strong commitment to innovation and improving agricultural practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement precision agriculture technologies, including GPS guidance, VRT (Variable Rate Technology), and sensor-based systems.
• Oversee the installation, calibration, and maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment integrated with precision farming solutions.
• Collect, process, and analyze large datasets from farm operations (e.g., yield maps, soil sensors, drone imagery) to provide actionable insights.
• Develop and manage farm mapping and GIS databases for efficient land management and decision-making.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to precision farming hardware and software.
• Collaborate with research and development teams to evaluate and adopt new agricultural technologies.
• Provide training and technical support to farm staff on the use of precision agriculture tools and systems.
• Ensure that precision farming initiatives align with the company's sustainability goals and regulatory requirements in Centurion, Gauteng.
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed technology investments.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in agricultural engineering and precision farming.

Job description

Placements24 in Centurion, Gauteng, seeks an Agricultural Engineer to lead the design and deployment of precision farming systems, combining GPS guidance, VRT, sensor networks, and GIS. You will integrate technologies with agronomists and farm managers, ensuring optimized field operations and continuous improvement.

The role emphasizes strong GIS, data analytics, and IoT capabilities, with a focus on sustainable farming practices and scalable technology adoption across operations in Gauteng.