At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and maintain machinery for plant breeding, ensuring top performance and reliability.
- Company: Join KWS UK Ltd., a leader in agricultural innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, competitive pension, private healthcare, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours during peak seasons with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: 10 years in Agricultural Engineering with strong design and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
KWS UK Ltd. is seeking a Lead Agricultural Engineer to join our onsite team in Thriplow, United Kingdom. This is a hands‑on role where you will take ownership of all site needs, ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of machinery and equipment supporting plant breeding activities. You will lead the workshop facilities, provide a mobile repair service for in‑field machinery, supervise staff, and collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to maintain efficient operations. The role is on a full‑time basis, 35 hours per week. During peak seasons, flexibility is essential, and working longer hours, 6 days per week, may be required to support business‑critical activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the service and maintenance of all machinery and equipment on site
- Respond quickly to breakdowns and implement effective solutions to maintain operations
- Manage and organise the KWS UK workshop in a safe and efficient manner
- Supervise and support workshop staff, providing clear guidance and leadership
- Coordinate maintenance activities across local and external sites
- Design and fabricate bespoke machinery and equipment solutions when needed
- Maintain stock levels of parts and consumables
- Ensure a clean, safe, and well‑organised workshop environment
- Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors on projects
- Contribute to capital investment planning and decision‑making
- Monitor costs, budgets, and operational efficiency
- Implement and uphold health and safety systems and procedures
Your Profile
- Qualification and experience in Agricultural Engineering, 10 years experience
- Strong design and fabrication skills
- Knowledge of electronics (highly advantageous)
- Experience or understanding of groundworks, building, or construction (beneficial)
- Fluency in English
- Good IT and digital skills
- A self‑motivated, hands‑on approach with the ability to work independently
- Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to act quickly and effectively
- Confident communicator able to work with stakeholders at all levels
- Flexibility to adapt working hours during busy periods
What We Offer
- 35‑hour working week
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Highly competitive pension scheme (up to 16% employer contribution)
- Life assurance (3x annual salary)
- Income protection plan (up to 75% salary)
- Private healthcare plan
- Profit‑related bonus scheme (target up to 10%)
- Access to a lifestyle discount scheme
- Reduced diesel prices via company fuel pump
Lead Agricultural Engineer employer: AgHires
KWS UK Ltd. is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Thriplow where innovation meets agriculture. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, private healthcare, and generous annual leave, all while fostering a collaborative culture that values hands-on leadership and teamwork. Join us to make a meaningful impact in plant breeding activities while enjoying unique perks like reduced diesel prices and a profit-related bonus scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Agricultural Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the agricultural engineering field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to meet potential employers and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your design and fabrication projects. This will give you an edge during interviews, as it demonstrates your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching KWS UK Ltd. and their operations. Understand their machinery and equipment needs, and think of ways you can contribute to their continuous improvement efforts. Tailor your responses to show how you can add value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Agricultural Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Agricultural Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in agricultural engineering, especially any hands-on work with machinery and equipment. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for KWS UK Ltd. Share specific examples of your past achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving abilities. Give us examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to machinery breakdowns or maintenance. We’re all about quick and effective solutions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at KWS UK Ltd!
How to prepare for a job interview at AgHires
✨Know Your Machinery Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the machinery and equipment you'll be working with. Be ready to discuss specific models, their maintenance needs, and any innovative solutions you've implemented in the past. This shows you're not just familiar with the tools but also passionate about optimising their performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Agricultural Engineer, you'll be supervising staff and leading projects. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or led initiatives before. Highlight your communication style and how you motivate others, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face hypothetical breakdown scenarios during the interview. Think through your problem-solving process and be prepared to explain how you would respond quickly and effectively to maintain operations. This will showcase your hands-on approach and ability to think on your feet.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research KWS UK Ltd. and understand their values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding safety and efficiency. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their team.
