“Our team is hard working, smart, and adaptable – and beyond our technical expertise we also really enjoy working together, and that helps us succeed in hitting our goals,” says Samuel Daly, Production Team Lead at Redwire’s Edge Autonomy in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sam leads a manufacturing team that produces Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) that power critical infrastructure and also extend the mission of our Stalker uncrewed aerial system (UAS). And Sam’s team working to fill a growing docket of orders.
A Focus on Meeting Ever-Evolving Demands
“My team takes ownership of the hard work they put behind everything we produce,” says Sam. “I am proud of the attention to detail I see every day. This helps us focus on the exceptional product development and delivery processes that meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
The team is responsible for the Edge Autonomy proprietary D450XR fuel cell, which is used exclusively in the Stalker UAS to provide long-lasting, acoustically silent power for extended intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. This lightweight, portable, and highly durable fuel cell runs on propane and offers reliable power for the Stalker during long range, long endurance missions.
The D450XR electrochemically converts propane into electrical power that is used to charge on-board batteries, significantly extending the UAS mission duration and allowing for the replacement of 90% of existing batteries, increasing payload functionality.
Reliable Power Solutions for Even the Most Austere Environments
In addition to the D450XR, Sam’s team is also responsible for the Edge Autonomy Performer Series P250i SOFC, which provides backup or off-grid power solutions to a variety of government and commercial customers.
The P250i fuel cell is a highly durable battery tender that runs on propane and powers low-watt critical infrastructure, even in freezing temperatures and other extreme conditions. It has been deployed to thousands of rail systems across North America and provides backup or off grid power to mobile surveillance or security trailers, 5G telecom towers, and remote aviation and weather-monitoring equipment.
In addition to keeping critical infrastructure up and running during severe weather, grid failure, or natural disasters, the 3,000-hour battery life of the reliable P250i means maintainers don’t have to go into dangerous environments to refuel, repair, or replace equipment and can wait until conditions are safe.
The end result of these innovative power solutions not only mean less downtime and efficient logistics management but also safeguards human lives. This is why Sam’s production team “takes a lot of pride in the products we make.”
“Whenever problems come up, we want to fix them immediately,” he continues. “Because we truly care about the work we do and know our power solutions empower Edge Autonomy customers to protect their people, assets, and resources.”
A Cohesive Team Means Front Line Products
“Our determined team genuinely wants to produce front line products, and that’s why everyone is such a team player,” says Sam. “We’ve reached the point where we all strive to hit our goals because we want to, not because we feel like we have to.
“Everyone is passionate about the fuel cells we make and appreciates how our work on the production line translates into real-world solutions for our customers.”
Although we’ve already wrapped up Manufacturing Week 2025, we’re always thankful for the men and women who produce the technology that serves our customers’ evolving needs. Want to learn more about a career in manufacturing that makes a difference? Discover our open positions in Ann Arbor, as well as other technology hubs across the United States and European Union
