Proton exchange membrane fuel cells offer the advantage of a low environmental footprint, modular configuration, and amenability to renewable hydrogen, rendering them versatile across diverse applications. This signifies their scientific and commercial viability within the realm of electrochemical energy conversion systems. However, the optimization of process parameters for the production of the electrode- membrane assembly is cumbersome as the evaluation of fuel cell efficiency and longevity is time consuming. This study employs nanomechanical and topological testing to quantify the mechanical properties of the electrode- membrane stack and the strength against mechanical tests of two sets of thin-film depositions and highlight the differences in failure mechanisms. Fast micro mechanical evaluation of the electrode- membrane properties and a thorough understanding of the failure mechanisms allows to accelerate the development of next generation fuel cells. This program contributes to the development of robust PEMFCs, fostering sustainable energy solutions and promoting wider adoption of fuel cell technologies.