Advanced Navigation is the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technologies across land, air, sea and space applications. Founded on a culture of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation's mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Fields of expertise include artificial intelligence, underwater sonar, GNSS, radio frequency systems, inertial sensors, robotics, quantum sensors and photonics.
Today, Advanced Navigation is a supplier to some of the world's largest companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Google, Tesla, NASA, Apple, and General Motors. Discover it for yourself: https://youtu.be/F7uAqs1gtuk
The opportunity
Advanced Navigation is a global leader in AI robotics and autonomous systems, manufacturing high-performance inertial navigation technology used across land, sea, air, and space. Driven by a culture of vertical integration, we build our hardware from the ground up—including our world-first fully digital Fiber Optic Gyroscope (DFOG) systems, the Boreas series.
We are seeking a precise, meticulous Fiber Optic Coil Tester to join our production and quality control team. The fiber optic coil is the pulsing heart of a gyroscope, where the slightest micro-strain, thermal gradient, or physical imperfection dictates the drift and accuracy of a multi-million dollar defense or subsea drone system. Operating out of our state-of-the-art production facility, you will own the testing, characterization, and quality validation of these sensitive optical components before they are integrated into final assemblies.
Key responsibilities
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Optical Inspection & Testing: Perform rigorous baseline and environmental testing on wound fiber optic coils using specialized instrumentation (OTDRs, optical power meters, interferometers, and spectrum analyzers).
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Environmental Stress Screening (ESS): Subject optical coils to thermal cycling and vibration testing chambers to measure signal degradation and monitor performance stability across hostile conditions.
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Data Logging & Analysis: Log high-frequency telemetry, insertion loss data, and polarization characteristics, documenting results precisely within our internal manufacturing databases.
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Defect Identification & RCA: Conduct visual inspections under magnification to identify macro-bends, alignment variances, or adhesive flaws, supporting the engineering team with Root-Cause Analysis (RCA).
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Equipment Calibration: Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot high-precision photonics testing rigs and test fixtures within cleanroom/ESD-safe environments.
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Cross-Functional Feedback: Partner directly with the Coil Winding Technicians and Opto-Mechanical Engineers to deliver real-time data loops that improve yield and process parameters.
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Adherence to Quality Standards: Ensure all testing procedures rigidly align with ISO9001 and AS9100 aerospace/defense quality control framework expectations.
What you bring
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Technical Experience: 2+ years of experience working in a high-precision testing environment, ideally focused on photonics, fiber optics, precision instrumentation, or complex electronics assembly.
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Tool Competency: Practical familiarity using standard optical lab diagnostic equipment (e.g., optical power meters, light sources, polarization analyzers, visual fault locators).
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Meticulous Precision: Exceptional attention to detail, fine motor skills, and comfort working around sensitive, sub-micron level components that are vulnerable to environmental contamination.
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Basic Data Literacy: Competency utilizing computers and spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets) to log test passes, map failure frequencies, and read graphical performance metrics.
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Cleanroom Protocol Fluency: Previous experience working within an ESD-controlled, climate-regulated production environment or cleanroom is highly regarded.
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Problem-Solving Mindset: A natural curiosity to understand why a component failed testing and the accountability to raise process issues immediately.
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Team Synergy: A strong "Collaborative Spirit" with the capability to interface cleanly between shop floor technicians and hardware design engineers.
What we offer
Professional Development: Direct access to paid technical training, higher education support, and dedicated internal "Quarterly Learning Days" to scale your engineering career path.
Cutting-Edge Facilities: Work out of our advanced robotics manufacturing facility alongside elite engineers commercializing globally disruptive intellectual property.
Culture & Benefits: Generous inclusive parental leave policies, a global Employee Assistance Program (EAP), active peer-voted recognition programs, and regular team social events.
