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>Fuel Cell Engineers
Fuel Cell Engineers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $58K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $71K
Median Salary: $90K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $114K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $141K
Demand
Core Tasks
Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.
Authorize release of fuel cell parts, components, or subsystems for production.
Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.
Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.
Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment.
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.
Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.
Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems.
Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.
Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.
Coordinate fuel cell engineering or test schedules with departments outside engineering, such as manufacturing.
Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.
Identify or define vehicle and system integration challenges for fuel cell vehicles.
Manage fuel cell battery hybrid system architecture, including sizing of components, such as fuel cells, energy storage units, or electric drives.
Integrate electric drive subsystems with other vehicle systems to optimize performance or mitigate faults.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Engineering and Technology
95%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
85%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics
85%
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Chemistry
81%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Design
77%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Computers and Electronics
70%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mechanical
70%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
65%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
58%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Production and Processing
56%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Top 10 Skills
Reading Comprehension
78%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
75%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Systems Analysis
75%
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Active Listening
73%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making
73%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Science
73%
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Writing
73%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
70%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
70%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Evaluation
70%
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Top 10 Abilities
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension
78%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
78%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Expression
78%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning
75%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
75%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Mathematical Reasoning
75%
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Information Ordering
73%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Oral Expression
73%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Category Flexibility
70%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Top 10 Work Activities
Analyzing Data or Information
89%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Documenting/Recording Information
85%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interacting With Computers
84%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Thinking Creatively
83%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
82%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
81%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information
79%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
79%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
76%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Test green technologies or processes.
Devise research or testing protocols.
Prepare technical reports for internal use.
Prepare proposal documents.
Implement design or process improvements.
Prepare detailed work plans.
Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
Determine design criteria or specifications.
Research energy production, use, or conservation.
Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
Update technical knowledge.
Operate industrial equipment.
Design materials for industrial or commercial applications.
Create models of engineering designs or methods.
Design alternative energy systems.
Create physical models or prototypes.
Analyze test or validation data.
Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
Evaluate the characteristics of green technologies.
Develop technical methods or processes.
Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.
Analyze green technology design requirements.
Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.
Work Context
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Education
Majors based on the broader career Mechanical Engineers
Major
Interests
Realistic
86%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
81%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
48%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
43%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Artistic
29%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
24%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
90%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Innovation
87%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Attention to Detail
86%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity
81%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Initiative
80%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
80%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
78%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Cooperation
78%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
78%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
77%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Work Values
Achievement
86%
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.
Independence
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
67%
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.
Support
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
39%
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.
