When always-on power is critical to operational success, reliable resources are a necessity – even if the mission is in an area that is off-grid or difficult to access.
“This means raising customer awareness about the impact our power solutions can have in challenging environments,” says James Hart, Technical Sales Support Engineer at Edge Autonomy Energy Systems. “In many situations, critical power needs can pose great financial risk to our customers and could even mean the difference between life and death.”
James has worked closely with adaptive energy solutions for nearly two decades and knows the critical impact Edge Autonomy Energy Systems makes in commercial sectors as well as battlefields.
“Our products are field-proven and can make a substantial difference in operations that require off-grid, always-on power. This can save resources and significantly reduce the potential for operator hardship,” James explains.
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Edge Autonomy Energy Systems produces ruggedized and efficient power solutions for a variety of applications, including the solid oxide fuel cell that is a component of the Edge Autonomy VXE30 Stalker long-range UAS solution. With compact and portable power applications that can operate in the most austere and remote locations, Edge Autonomy Energy Solutions has been operational in commercial and military applications for more than 20 years.
James finds it rewarding to work with power solutions that have a rich heritage of addressing highly targeted, real-world challenges. “One of the best parts of my job is helping our customers integrate and use our fuel cell products to meet specific needs. Being a part of energy systems that make a real difference in a variety of challenging conditions is very meaningful to me.”
Ensuring that each unique customer need is met and advising clients on a mission-to-mission basis is where James truly excels. “My customers are my main focus, and I will always listen to the actual issues they face. The ability to hear what they need is critical, as is a genuine passion for our products and the challenges they address. Making our customers feel important is a vital part of my role—because they are important. Their missions are my missions.”
Critical Thinking Leads to Critical Success
James knew early in his education that he wanted to pursue a career in a scientific or technical field. He credits the influential people and inspiring technology he worked with in school for equipping him with the critical thinking skills, technical writing ability, and foundational scientific knowledge required in his role. He has also sought out mentorship from coworkers and pursued training, which not only advanced the learning that is critical in this industry, but also strengthened the relationships that are just as critical to success.
James’ creativity, curiosity, and commitment to continued professional development have equipped him with the communication skills needed to connect with Edge Autonomy Energy Systems customers in ways that ensure their concerns are heard and understood.
Building meaningful partner relationships with companies in the rail industry, alternative power and utilities, and government agencies is a key focus for James.
“By working together we are able to offer solutions tailored to each individual need,” says James. “Each operation and each success inspires me because they demonstrate how our energy solutions are solving complex problems in a wide array of industries.”
Energy Solutions Beyond UAS
James works with a diverse clientele from around the nation, which motivates him to remain committed to continuous learning and growth.
“Being open and willing to learn is critical,” says James. “This is a dynamic industry and there is a lot of knowledge to be gained from the talented engineers, developers, and innovators at the forefront of this technology.”
As missions and operations continue to evolve and expand, the need to power the associated communications and other critical activities will become more demanding.
“Our federal and civilian customers continue to require more and better communications equipment, and this means more robust backup and prime power solutions,” James explains. “We’re always evolving our power solutions to make them more efficient, easier to deploy, and to extend the operations cycle, which frees up operators to focus on other critical operations.”
With cost-effective energy solutions that benefit dynamic industries from railroad to aviation, the Edge Autonomy Energy Systems team is committed to providing products and solutions that contribute to operations and mission success.
Sound interesting? We’re growing, and we’re always looking for innovators eager to join the dynamic industries of autonomous technology and energy systems. Learn more about open positions at Edge Autonomy.
