Fuel Cell Engineers
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
Also called: Design Cell Engineer, Engineer, Fuel Cell Designer, Fuel Cell Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Test Engineer
Median pay
$104,110
Pay for the broader BLS group “Mechanical Engineers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$73,990 – $164,340
People employed
296,810
Whole BLS group
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 7.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 8.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Fuel Cell Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Mechanical Engineers”.
What fuel cell engineers do
- 01Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
- 02Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
- 03Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
- 04Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
- 05Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
- 06Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Design
- Mathematics
- Physics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from fuel cell engineers
- Materials Scientists86% · —
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers84% · group pay
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians78% · —
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians74% · —
- Chemists74% · —
Change into fuel cell engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers78% · $171,270
- Materials Scientists78% · $117,790
- Chemists74% · $91,240
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians73% · $66,120
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians72% · $66,120
Majors that lead here
- Engineering Mechanics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.