Agricultural Engineer – Propagation Lead
Role
We are looking for an Agricultural Engineer - Propagation Lead to oversee cloning, propagation, and mother-plant activities in a controlled cultivation environment. This role plays a key part in ensuring plant quality, consistency, and production continuity, while leading a small propagation team and working closely with cultivation partners. You will be hands-on, technically strong, and comfortable coordinating people, plants, and processes in a fast-moving production setting.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute cloning and propagation activities in line with production plans.
- Maintain mother plants to high standards of vigour, structure, and cultivar integrity.
- Manage spacing, airflow, lighting, and environmental conditions in propagation and mother rooms.
- Coordinate irrigation and fertigation activities with the cultivation team.
- Ensure accurate plant labelling and traceability throughout propagation cycles.
- Monitor plant health and quickly identify pests, disease symptoms, stress, or abnormal development.
- Apply strong hygiene and contamination-prevention practices across propagation areas.
- Support plant, water, or substrate sampling when required.
- Take appropriate action when plant health risks may affect downstream production.
- Coordinate daily tasks for the propagation team, ensuring coverage during critical production phases.
- Train and support team members in best propagation practices.
- Provide technical guidance and hands-on problem-solving to ensure consistent results.
- Work closely with cultivation, QA, engineering, and fertigation teams to support daily operations.
- Participate in trials and improvement initiatives aimed at increasing rooting success and reducing losses.
- Identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency and plant performance.
- Promote safe working practices and correct use of equipment and PPE.
- Maintain clean, organized, and well-functioning propagation areas.
- Flag equipment issues or abnormal conditions promptly.
Requirements
- Degree or qualification in Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- At least 1 year of experience in plant propagation, nursery operations, or controlled- environment cultivation.
- Previous experience in a lead or senior operator role is a strong advantage.
- Strong practical knowledge of plant propagation and cloning techniques.
- Understanding of plant health, hygiene, and environmental controls.
- Comfortable working with SOP-driven processes in a production environment.
- Able to monitor and adjust key environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, irrigation, lighting).
- Hands-on, reliable, and calm under pressure.
- Strong communication and team-coordination skills.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in solving problems.
- Comfortable working in a regulated, performance-driven environment.