Details Report for:
17-2141.01 - Fuel Cell Engineers
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
- Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.
- Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
- Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
- Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
- Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.
- Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.
- Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment.
- Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems.
- Identify or define vehicle and system integration challenges for fuel cell vehicles.
- Integrate electric drive subsystems with other vehicle systems to optimize performance or mitigate faults.
- Manage fuel cell battery hybrid system architecture, including sizing of components, such as fuel cells, energy storage units, or electric drives.
- Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
- Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
- Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
- Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.
- Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
- Authorize release of fuel cell parts, components, or subsystems for production.
- Coordinate fuel cell engineering or test schedules with departments outside engineering, such as manufacturing.
- Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
- Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
- Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.
- Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
- Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.
- Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Calorimeters — Differential scanning calorimeters |
| Forming machine — Molding presses |
| Homogenizers — Digital sonifiers; Ultrasonic blenders |
| Infrared spectrometers — Fourier transfer infrared FTIR spectrometers; Infrared IR spectrophotometers |
| Laboratory mechanical convection ovens — Gravity convection ovens |
| Laboratory mills — Laboratory ball mills |
| Power meters — Load boxes; Power analyzers |
| Scanning electron microscopes — Scanning electron microscopes SEM |
| Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters — X ray fluorescence XRF spectrometers |
| Thermo gravimetry analyzers — Thermal gravimetric analyzers |
| Transmission electron microscopes — Transmission electron microscopes TEM |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — FactSage; Gaussian GaussView; GE Energy GateCycle; Wolfram Research Mathematica (see all 13 examples) |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software |
| Development environment software — C; National Instruments LabVIEW; Wind River Systems C/C++ Compiler Suite |
| Industrial control software — Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software |
| Object or component oriented development software — C++ |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
83   |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 78 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 78 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 61 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
| 39 |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
| 28 |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
Employment data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
Industry data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
| Median wages (2012) | $38.74 hourly, $80,580 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 243,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Slower than average (3% to 9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 99,600 |
| Top industries (2010) | Manufacturing (49% employed in this sector)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
Find Jobs
for Fuel Cell Engineers
State & National Job Banks
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Mechanical Engineers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
