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Careers / Fuel Cell Engineers |
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Summary Description |
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Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications. |
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Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Alternative Energy Technician |
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2. |
Battery Technician |
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3. |
Design Cell Engineer |
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4. |
Director, Hydrogen Storage Engineering |
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5. |
Division Director |
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6. |
Engineering Professor |
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7. |
Fuel Cell Battery Technician |
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8. |
Fuel Cell Designer |
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9. |
Fuel Cell Engineer |
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10. |
Fuel Cell Systems Engineer |
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11. |
Fuel Cell Test Engineer |
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12. |
Mobile Battery Technician |
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13. |
Professor of Chemical Engineering |
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14. |
Research Engineer |
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15. |
Scientist/Engineer |
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16. |
Senior Engineer |
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17. |
Senior Research Engineer |
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18. |
Senior Scientist |
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19. |
Senior Stack Engineer |
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20. |
Subsystems Engineer |
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Job Tasks |
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Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
- Test green technologies or processes.
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Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.
- Devise research or testing protocols.
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Authorize release of fuel cell parts, components, or subsystems for production.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
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Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.
- Prepare technical reports for internal use.
- Prepare proposal documents.
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Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
- Implement design or process improvements.
- Prepare detailed work plans.
- Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
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Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
- Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
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Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
- Determine design criteria or specifications.
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Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
- Research energy production, use, or conservation.
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Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.
- Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
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Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
- Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
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Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
- Update technical knowledge.
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Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
- Operate industrial equipment.
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Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment.
- Design materials for industrial or commercial applications.
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Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.
- Create models of engineering designs or methods.
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Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
- Design alternative energy systems.
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Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems.
- Create physical models or prototypes.
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Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
- Analyze test or validation data.
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Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.
- Design alternative energy systems.
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Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
- Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
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Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
- Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
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Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.
- Evaluate the characteristics of green technologies.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
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Coordinate fuel cell engineering or test schedules with departments outside engineering, such as manufacturing.
- Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.
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Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.
- Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
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Identify or define vehicle and system integration challenges for fuel cell vehicles.
- Analyze green technology design requirements.
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Manage fuel cell battery hybrid system architecture, including sizing of components, such as fuel cells, energy storage units, or electric drives.
- Design alternative energy systems.
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Integrate electric drive subsystems with other vehicle systems to optimize performance or mitigate faults.
- Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.
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Work Activities |
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Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information —
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards —
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside Organization —
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment —
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources —
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
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Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. |
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Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
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Selling or Influencing Others —
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Assisting and Caring for Others —
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Nature of the Work |
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Working Conditions |
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Interesting Fact |
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The U.S. industry expected to experience the greatest decline between 2002 and 2012 is Apparel Manufacturing. |
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Did you know... |
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MyPlan.com can help you figure out What To Do With a Major In... in a unique tool that reports related careers that typically follow completion of various degrees. |
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