Agricultural Mechanic

Are you an experienced agricultural mechanic looking for a role with real purpose and impact? Join us in Harpenden, part of the world‑leading Rothamsted Integrated Farm Platform (IFP), where cutting‑edge agricultural science meets practical, real‑world farming.

Our farm is no ordinary workplace. You’ll be working with an exciting and diverse portfolio of trials – from historic long‑running experiments like Broadbalk (est. 1843) to innovative, multi‑crop or land cover and management research shaping the future of sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Rothamsted is a friendly, supportive, and rewarding place to work, where your personal skills directly contribute to globally important agricultural research for practice and policy. You’ll be surrounded by expert colleagues and benefit from ongoing training and development throughout the year.

The Role

As Agricultural Mechanic, you’ll be a key member of the research farm management team. You'll ensure our fleet of commercial and trial machinery operates safely, efficiently, and at peak performance. You’ll be the go‑to expert for machinery health, maintenance, and safety, helping our farm team deliver vital research outcomes.

Key duties include:

• Maintaining and overseeing a wide range of farm and trial equipment
• Championing health and safety, ensuring best practice across all machinery operations
• Daily machinery checks and compliance across the farm
• Working closely with farm colleagues and Rothamsted scientists to enable research activity
• Providing hands‑on support during busy periods of farm operations
• Line management and training of an Agricultural Mechanic Farm Technician (where required)

Do you have practical engineering expertise?

How about a flexible and proactive mindset?

Are you comfortable working in a collaborative research environment?

Can you communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues?

You’ll have:

• An industry‑recognised agricultural engineering qualification
• Solid experience with tractors, trailers, cultivators, and general farm machinery
• Rough terrain handler experience 
• Strong communication skills and a team‑focused approach
• The flexibility to assist wider farm operations when needed

If you’re looking for the chance to be part of something truly meaningful for the future of agriculture, we’d love to hear from you.

Based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire this is a full-time role with a competitive salary dependant on skills and experience, plus access to below‑market‑rate staff accommodation and overtime opportunities.

Informal enquiries can be made to [email protected]

Established in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK's leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science.  Our commitment to learning and development, equality, diversity and inclusion and flexibility in working arrangements creates a positive work life balance and enables a welcoming environment for all prospective employees. 

As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.   If this is required, please contact us.  Applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or age are welcomed, providing the required criteria is met. 

We have an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities.