Working in Field Operations at Olea Edge Analytics has given me the opportunity to be on the front lines of what we do. My role primarily focuses on installing, maintaining, and supporting our IoT-based monitoring systems for water utilities across the country. A big part of my job is making sure these systems are performing reliably and delivering the data utilities need to better understand their infrastructure.
The travel
One of the things I enjoy most about this role is the travel. Being able to visit different cities and work directly with local utility teams gives me a unique perspective on how each system operates. No two locations are the same, and that keeps the work interesting. More importantly, it allows me to build strong relationships with the people we support, which makes the job much more rewarding.
The team
Another thing that stands out to me is our team. We’re a small group, but we accomplish a lot. There’s a strong sense of accountability and collaboration, and everyone is willing to step up when needed. What makes our team especially effective is that we do everything in-house, from hardware design and manufacturing to data analysis, allowing us to fully support and stand behind our product at every stage. It’s been exciting to be part of a team that consistently delivers meaningful results and exceeds expectations.
Real impact on meter maintenance
One area where I’ve seen a real impact is how we help utilities rethink their approach to water meter maintenance. Many cities don’t have a preventative maintenance program in place, which often leads to costly full meter replacements. In many cases, the issue could be resolved with a repair that costs a fraction of the replacement price. By using our equipment to identify these problems early, we help utilities implement more proactive maintenance strategies, saving significant money and helping them recover lost revenue. In one market, we uncovered issues in over a third of all meters assessed in just 21 days, enabling the utility to shift from reactive replacements to targeted, cost-effective maintenance.
Looking ahead
I really believe we’re moving in the right direction. The work we’re doing to help cities identify and reduce water loss is incredibly important. Water is essential to life, and having better visibility into where it’s going is critical for both sustainability and long-term infrastructure planning. Being part of a company that is actively working to solve that problem is something I take pride in every day.