IRRI seeks a National Consultant - Agricultural Engineering to provide technical expertise in improving and developing cage wheel systems for tractors used with mechanized direct-seeded rice (m-DSR) machines. The assignment involves modifying an existing cage wheel and designing and fabricating a new one to improve tractor mobility and traction in wet and muddy rice fields. The consultant will also support preliminary and field testing and work closely with the National Agricultural Machinery Center (NAMC), Kasetsart University, and IRRI. The position is based at the IRRI Thailand Office and may only be filled by permanent citizens of Thailand.
Responsibilities:
- Assess, repair, and upgrade the existing cage wheel to improve performance in wet rice field operations, ensure tractor compatibility, and validate functionality through workshop and field testing.
- Design and develop a new cage wheel to support the tractor's rubber wheels: review the existing concept, optimize dimensions and structural components, prepare engineering drawings and specifications, support fabrication and assembly, and conduct preliminary testing.
- Conduct field testing to evaluate and compare the modified and new cage wheels under clay or heavy clay rice field conditions, collect operational and performance data, and identify technical improvements.
- Prepare editable technical drawings and specifications, document the design and modification process, analyze field test results, recommend improvements, and submit a final technical report in English and Thai.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Farm Mechanization, Agricultural Machinery, or a related engineering discipline.
- Demonstrated knowledge or practical experience in agricultural machinery, tractor systems, farm machinery, or mechanical design and development.
- Experience in machinery fabrication, modification, and testing.
- Field testing experience under actual field conditions, and experience with tractors or rice production machinery, are advantages.
Required skills: proficiency in CAD or other engineering design software; ability to develop and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications; basic understanding of tractor systems and agricultural machinery; ability to conduct, document, and interpret machinery performance tests.
Closing Date: 15-Oct-2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online through the IRRI talent portal using the application link. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This position may only be filled by permanent citizens of Thailand.
https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?id=Q7LFK026203F3VBQB79QWQWAS&nPostingTargetID=3787