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Ag Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

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Ag Engineer information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$36.1K

$94.1K

$127.2K

How much do ag engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for ag engineer in Columbia, SC is $94,135.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,700.00 and $107,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ag engineer?

Ag Engineers, or Agricultural Engineers, are professionals who apply engineering principles to solve problems related to agriculture, such as improving farming equipment, developing irrigation systems, and optimizing crop production. They work to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural processes by integrating technology and environmental concerns. Their work can also involve soil and water conservation, renewable energy, and food processing innovations. Ag Engineers often collaborate with farmers, agronomists, and environmental scientists to address challenges in modern agriculture.

What projects does an ag engineer work on, and how do they collaborate with other professionals?

Ag Engineers often work on projects related to improving agricultural machinery, designing irrigation systems, or developing sustainable farming solutions. These projects usually require close collaboration with agronomists, farmers, environmental scientists, and sometimes government agencies to ensure designs meet both practical and regulatory needs. Teamwork is essential, as Ag Engineers must integrate feedback from field tests and coordinate with manufacturing or construction teams. This collaborative environment helps deliver effective solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ag engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Agricultural Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, agricultural science, and a bachelor's degree in agricultural or biological engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, and industry standards like ASABE certification is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with farmers and multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable agricultural engineers to design sustainable solutions, improve productivity, and address complex challenges in modern agriculture.

What is the difference between Ag Engineer vs Agronomist?

AspectAg EngineerAgronomist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Agricultural Engineering or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Agronomy, Agriculture, or Plant Science; certifications like Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesigning equipment, irrigation systems, and farm infrastructure; often in labs, offices, or on-siteResearching crop production, soil health, and plant management; primarily in labs, fields, or research stations
Employer & Industry UsageFarms, agricultural equipment companies, government agencies, consulting firmsFarms, research institutions, government agencies, agribusiness companies

Ag Engineers focus on designing and improving agricultural systems and equipment, while Agronomists specialize in crop and soil management to optimize plant growth. Both roles require related credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

Do agricultural engineers make good money?

Agricultural engineers typically earn a median annual salary that is competitive within engineering fields, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and employer. They often work in roles involving design, research, and development related to farming systems, machinery, and environmental sustainability. Advanced skills and certifications can lead to higher earning potential.

What does an agricultural engineer do?

An agricultural engineer designs and develops equipment, systems, and processes to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and safety. They work on areas such as irrigation, machinery, soil and water conservation, and environmental impact, often using tools like CAD software and requiring knowledge of biology and engineering principles.

What are popular job titles related to Ag Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC?

For Ag Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ag Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Ag Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Ag Engineer jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Ag Engineer job openings:

Ag Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ag Engineer job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,135 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Natural/Adabas Administrator

Software People, Inc.

Columbia, SC • Remote

Contractor

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Phone/Skype Hire. Remote after first week of onsite work.

Location: Columbia, SC / Remote

Duration: 12+ months

We’re seeking a System Administrator to own and optimize our Software AG ecosystem—primarily Adabas and Natural Security—with a focus on reliability, security, performance, and user enablement. In this role, you’ll administer mission‑critical databases, drive secure access and auditing practices, support data extraction, and guide changes from development through production.

Responsibilities

  • Administer Adabas & Natural Security (plus CONNX): Maintain production, test, and development environments to run efficiently; perform and monitor nightly backups; refresh lower environments from production data as needed; manage DDMs and operational scripts.
  • Harden security & enforce access controls: Configure and maintain security/authorization to files and applications via Natural and program security; ensure proper access changes for transfers/terminations; execute routine audits and process security requests accurately and on time.
  • Enable data access & analytics: Evaluate and recommend tools for Adabas data extraction; install and maintain the chosen query product (e.g., CONNX); design and maintain user data catalogs; author a user guide and training materials tailored to our environment; train new users and assist current users with query design.
  • Guide change across environments: Guide file and schema modifications through development, testing, and production; write and maintain scripts supporting applications and operations; maintain the data dictionary and ensure all database changes are fully documented and consistent.
  • Advance our platform: Research, recommend, and help implement new hardware and software solutions to improve performance, resilience, and maintainability. Perform platform upgrades as needed to maintain supported versions and to address system vulnerabilities.
  • Support resilience: Participate in agency business continuity and disaster recovery planning, testing, and response activities.

Skills Needed

  • Minimum of eight years managing Software AG Adabas and Natural.
  • Hands-on experience administering Adabas databases and Natural Security (Software AG stack) in production environments.
  • Working knowledge of CONNX or comparable Adabas data access tools, including installation, configuration, and user enablement.
  • Proficiency with environment refreshes, backup/restore procedures, performance tuning, and scripting (e.g., Natural utilities).
  • Practical experience implementing role-based access control, security reviews, and audit documentation for regulated environments.
  • Familiarity with SDLC/change control across dev/test/prod and maintaining a formal data dictionary.
  • Experience with broader Software AG tools (e.g., NaturalONE, Predict, EntireX) and DDM management best practices
  • Exposure to capacity planning, platform modernization, and performance engineering.
  • Participation in BC/DR program development and exercises.
  • Experience with open systems - Linux background (2 years of experience preferred).