Agricultural engineers develop engineering science and technology in the context of agricultural production and processing and for the management of natural resources.

Agricultural engineers design agricultural machinery and equipment and agricultural structures. Agricultural Engineers may perform tasks as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, perform environmental impact assessments and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.

Some specialties include power system and machinery design; structures and environmental science; and food and bioprocess engineering. They develop ways to conserve soil and water and to improve the processing of agricultural products.

A large percentage of agricultural engineers work in academia or for government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture or state agricultural extension services. Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.