Fuel Cell Engineers
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-2141.01
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.081
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.32
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 24 hidden tasks26 rated tasks · 19 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (73.1%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.17-2141.01 | 0.005875.3 | 0.0016100.0 |
Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.17-2141.01 | 0.001924.7 | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.O*NET Task ID 16398 | 1.0 |
Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.O*NET Task ID 16405 | 1.0 |
Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.O*NET Task ID 16415 | 1.0 |
Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.O*NET Task ID 16418 | 1.0 |
Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.O*NET Task ID 16420 | 1.0 |
Authorize release of fuel cell parts, components, or subsystems for production.O*NET Task ID 19948 | 1.0 |
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.O*NET Task ID 16399 | 0.5 |
Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.O*NET Task ID 16406 | 0.5 |
Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.O*NET Task ID 16407 | 0.5 |
Identify or define vehicle and system integration challenges for fuel cell vehicles.O*NET Task ID 16411 | 0.5 |
Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.O*NET Task ID 16414 | 0.5 |
Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.O*NET Task ID 16417 | 0.5 |
Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.O*NET Task ID 16419 | 0.5 |
Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.O*NET Task ID 19946 | 0.5 |
Coordinate fuel cell engineering or test schedules with departments outside engineering, such as manufacturing.O*NET Task ID 19947 | 0.5 |
Manage fuel cell battery hybrid system architecture, including sizing of components, such as fuel cells, energy storage units, or electric drives.O*NET Task ID 19949 | 0.5 |
Define specifications for fuel cell materials.O*NET Task ID 19951 | 0.5 |
Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.O*NET Task ID 19952 | 0.5 |
Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.O*NET Task ID 19953 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (26)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects. | Core |
| Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products. | Core |
| Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems. | Core |
| Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs. | Core |
| Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs. | Core |
| Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems. | Core |
| Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance. | Core |
| Integrate electric drive subsystems with other vehicle systems to optimize performance or mitigate faults. | Core |
| Identify or define vehicle and system integration challenges for fuel cell vehicles. | Core |
| Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems. | Core |
| Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment. | Core |
| Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures. | Core |
| Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs. | Core |
| Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments. | Core |
| Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process. | Core |
| Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software. | Core |
| Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics. | Core |
| Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems. | Core |
| Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers. | Core |
| Coordinate fuel cell engineering or test schedules with departments outside engineering, such as manufacturing. | Core |
| Authorize release of fuel cell parts, components, or subsystems for production. | Core |
| Manage fuel cell battery hybrid system architecture, including sizing of components, such as fuel cells, energy storage units, or electric drives. | Core |
| Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy. | Core |
| Define specifications for fuel cell materials. | Core |
| Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs. | Core |
| Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications. | Supplemental |
0.25/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures. | E0 none |
| Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 17-2141 group (Mechanical engineers), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 299K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 332K
- Change (2025–35)
- +11.2%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $104,110
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23720 | 신재생에너지 기술자 및 연구원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2144Mechanical Engineers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Mechanical engineers conduct research; advise on, design and direct production of machines, aircraft, ships, machinery and industrial plant, equipment and systems; advise on and direct their functioning, maintenance and repair; or study and advise on mechanical aspects of particular materials, products or processes.
Tasks
- (a) advising on and designing machinery and tools for manufacturing, mining, construction, agricultural, and other industrial purposes;
- (b) advising on and designing steam, internal combustion and other non-electric motors and engines used for propulsion of railway locomotives, road vehicles or aircraft, or for driving industrial or other machinery;
- (c) advising on and designing: hulls, superstructures and propulsion systems of ships; mechanical plant and equipment for the release, control and utilization of energy; heating, ventilation and refrigeration systems, steering gear, pumps and other mechanical equipment;
- (d) advising on and designing airframes, undercarriages and other equipment for aircraft as well as suspension systems, brakes, vehicle bodies and other components of road vehicles;
- (e) advising on and designing non-electrical parts of apparatus or products such as word processors, computers, precision instruments, cameras and projectors;
- (f) establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of machines, machinery, tools, motors, engines, industrial plant, equipment, or systems;
- (g) ensuring that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards.
Example occupations
Aeronautical engineer · Engine designer · Marine architect · Marine engineer · Mechanical engineer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- renewable energy engineerESCO 2149.7.3Overlapping, not the same
Renewable energy engineers research alternative sources of energy in order to design systems for renewable energy production. They strive to optimise energy production from renewable sources, and reduce production expenses and environmental strain. They design systems which focus on energy sustainability and efficiency.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H1241 | Architecte système hydrogène | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| H1206 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure R&D en industrie | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2433 | Ingenieros mecánicos | Related, not a match |
| 2435 | Ingenieros químicos | Related, not a match |
| 2439 | Ingenieros no clasificados bajo otros epígrafes | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 27104 | Berufe in der technischen Forschung und Entwicklung (ohne Spezialisierung) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 26234 | Berufe in der Energie- und Kraftwerkstechnik - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 072 | 電気・電子・電気通信技術者（通信ネットワーク技術者を除く）（開発） | Related, not a match |
| 077 | 化学技術者（開発） | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources