Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2141.01
Fuel Cell Engineers
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
- US jobs
- 296,810 (SOC 17-2141 group, "Mechanical Engineers")
- Median wage
- $104,110 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of fuel cell engineers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.
Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 9% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).
7% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 17-2141 group).
- 8%Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problemsNot measured
- 6%Develop technical specifications for products or operationsNot measured
- 5%Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical dataMeasured
- 5%Research technology designs or applicationsNot measured
- 5%Advise others on business or operational mattersNot measured
- 4%Analyze performance of systems or equipmentNot measured
- 4%Develop models of systems, processes, or productsNot measured
- 3%Design industrial systems or equipmentNot measured
Benchmarks for this occupation
These benchmarks name this occupation in their job mapping.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 61%Claude Opus 5.5 (max) with Claude Code 2.1.280 · 24 Sep 2026Strong
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 64.8%Claude Code + Opus 5.5 (max) · 6 Oct 2026Strong
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
- Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
- Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
- Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
- Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
- Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
- Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
- Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
- Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
- Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
Other job titles for this occupation (10)
Engineer · Fuel Cell Engineer · Research Engineer · Stack Engineer · Design Cell Engineer · Fuel Cell Designer · Fuel Cell Systems Engineer · Fuel Cell Test Engineer · Space Battery Technician · Subsystems Engineer