Agricultural / Hydroponics Engineer

Location: Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, UAE
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Hydroponics / Vertical Farming

Job Summary

We are looking for a knowledgeable and hands-on Agricultural / Hydroponics Engineer to support the development, installation, commissioning, and operation of our indoor controlled-environment vertical farm. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, optimizing, and monitoring hydroponic growing systems and ensuring ideal environmental and nutritional conditions for healthy crop growth. The role will work closely with farm operations, technical teams, suppliers, and management to achieve high-quality and consistent crop production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, install, and optimize hydroponic and controlled-environment growing systems.
• Monitor and manage irrigation, fertigation, nutrient delivery, water circulation, and drainage systems.
• Monitor and adjust pH, EC, nutrient concentration, water quality, temperature, humidity, CO₂, airflow, and lighting.
• Develop nutrient recipes and crop-specific fertigation programs.
• Support crop planning and production schedules for leafy greens, herbs, vegetables, strawberries, and other crops.
• Monitor plant health, growth rates, nutrient deficiencies, pests, diseases, and other crop-related issues.
• Conduct regular inspections of growing systems and identify technical or agricultural problems.
• Troubleshoot irrigation, pumps, dosing systems, sensors, controllers, and other hydroponic equipment.
• Assist with the installation, testing, calibration, and commissioning of hydroponic systems and farm equipment.
• Review technical drawings, equipment specifications, layouts, and system designs.
• Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, technicians, and equipment manufacturers during installation and commissioning.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hydroponic production and system operation.
• Maintain accurate records of crop performance, nutrient consumption, water usage, environmental conditions, and production data.
• Analyze production data and recommend improvements to increase yield, quality, and resource efficiency.
• Support preventive maintenance and ensure proper operation of hydroponic equipment.
• Assist in implementing water-saving, energy-efficient, and sustainable farming practices.
• Train farm operators and workers on hydroponic systems, crop handling, sanitation, and operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable HSE, food safety, hygiene, and agricultural standards.
• Prepare technical and operational reports for management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Science, Horticulture, Plant Science, Hydroponics, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in hydroponics, vertical farming, greenhouse farming, controlled-environment agriculture, or a related agricultural operation.
• Strong practical knowledge of hydroponic systems, fertigation, irrigation, nutrient management, and crop production.
• Understanding of plant nutrition, crop physiology, pest and disease management, and environmental control.
• Experience with pH and EC management, nutrient mixing, dosing systems, water treatment, and irrigation systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot hydroponic systems and identify root causes of crop or equipment problems.
• Ability to read technical drawings, layouts, equipment manuals, and specifications.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to work hands-on in an indoor farm environment.
• ONLY those candidates who have demonstrated experience in CEA/Hydroponics will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with commercial-scale indoor vertical farming.
• Experience with leafy greens, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, or other commercial crops.
• Knowledge of LED grow lighting, HVAC/climate-control systems, CO₂ management, sensors, IoT, PLC, BMS, or automated farm-control systems.
• Experience with automated fertigation and dosing systems.
• Experience in farm installation, commissioning, or project implementation.
• UAE/GCC agricultural or CEA experience is an advantage.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Crop yield, quality, and consistency.
• Efficient use of water, nutrients, energy, and other resources.
• Accuracy and stability of pH, EC, and nutrient management.
• Reduction of crop losses, pests, diseases, and production wastage.
• Hydroponic system uptime and reliability.
• Successful installation and commissioning of growing systems.
• Compliance with farm SOPs, hygiene, HSE, and food-safety requirements.
• Continuous improvement of crop productivity and farm efficiency.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Opportunity to work with modern CEA, hydroponic, and vertical farming technologies.
• Hands-on involvement in the establishment and operation of a new indoor farming facility.
• Professional growth opportunities in a developing and technology-driven agricultural business.

Pay: AED4,500.00 - AED5,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person