Agricultural Engineers - Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, agricultural engineers:

Have a medium to high level of social contact.
Communicate daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
Work as part of a group or team.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
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Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations.

Usually work indoors in office buildings, plants, and laboratories. Most work sites are heated or have air conditioning.
May work outdoors at farm, construction, and other project sites.
Often share the same work space, such as an office, with other engineers and workers.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment. They usually wear safety gear to protect themselves.
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May sometimes travel to work sites in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck.

Must be very accurate and complete in their work. Errors could lead to serious problems with farm equipment and products.
Regularly make decisions that strongly impact how an agricultural company is run. They make these types of decisions on a weekly basis.
Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision or setting their daily tasks and goals.
Must meet strict weekly deadlines. This can make the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.

Generally work a set schedule. Most engineers work more than 40 hours per week. Project deadlines make longer hours necessary.
Some engineers may travel extensively to plants or work sites.