The Team at Navus: Making Things Happen

Navus

The team at Navus specializes in solving complex problems with novel solutions, but often these solutions are as complex as the problems they solve. A wide range of teams, materials, facilities, and operations all have to work in unison to create a final product that is elegant and achieves the client’s goal. Making this happen requires diligence and expertise across the board.

Meet Jim: Program Manager

Jim has worked for us since March of 2017. His official job title is Program Manager, which is a short way of saying that he has a hand in nearly all of the processes at Navus.

Centered Around Continuous Improvement and Automation

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Jim: I’m the Program Manager here at Navus, which gets me involved with a lot of the different teams. I work with everyone from Engineering to Operations to Sales.

 My responsibilities include project management, manufacturing, operations, facilities, purchasing, and quality control. Basically, I help make things happen, but Navus has a very strong team. One of my favorite sayings is ‘we do our best work when we collaborate.’ And it’s through this collaboration that we’re able to do such amazing projects.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Jim: I consciously chose a career in manufacturing but came into the field at a very pivotal time. When I was just starting out, the quality of American manufacturing was beginning to be rivaled by other countries, notably Japan. There was a lot changing in those years, and American manufacturing companies were forced to increase the quality of the solutions they were creating. As an industry, we began to focus heavily on automation. So nearly my entire career has been centered around continuous improvement and automation. And funny enough, I was actually a customer of Navus’s before I became an employee of Navus’s.

Navus: So how did you actually come to work at Navus?

Jim: At my previous employer, we were working on a unique system to solve a problem that we had. Navus was helping us develop a solution to this particular problem when my employers decided that they didn’t want to move forward with the project. The team at Navus were interested in continuing the project anyway and asked if I would be interested in joining them. I was, so I joined on as a Co-Project Manager, heading up a lot of the new projects that came our way. After a while, the company went through some reorganization, and I was given more responsibilities including operations, quality, purchasing, and project management for some of our larger and more important contracts. 

Navus: What’s your favorite part about working at Navus?

Jim: The most enjoyable part of my job is the people I get to work with. My coworkers are really clever, and I’m glad to be surrounded by them on a daily basis. The same goes for a lot of our customers. I also really enjoy the nature of the work that we do. Sometimes I can have a short attention span, so I’ve always liked that Navus works on something new all the time. You never know what’s coming around the corner, but it’s always some new problem to solve. That makes my work exciting and fresh and gives me a different challenge every day.

Teamwork and a Team That Works

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Jim: You know, it might seem a little traditional for a company always working on something cutting edge, but we succeed through hard work, lots of man-hours, and great communication. But ultimately, that’s how we make things happen!

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on and what do you hope for the future of Navus?

Jim: I’d say my favorite project is the one we haven’t done yet, because that’s the project that gives me something to look forward to, and that’s the project that keeps Navus running. And looking to the future,  I just hope that everyone here is as successful as possible in their careers. That’s what I care about the most. Even after I’m eventually gone, I wish nothing but the best for the people here.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication

Our team at Navus is invested in every solution we provide to clients. From concept to accounting, we believe in our ability to solve your challenges. Dedicated team members like Jennifer are a part of the reason our company succeeds in helping our clients forge a new future!

Are you interested in joining the Navus family? Reach out to us today. We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team of engineers and technicians. Learn more by emailing us at info@navusinc.com

Navus T-Shirt Design Competition for Open House in October

Navus

Want your design to end up on hundreds of T-Shirts? Now’s your chance! Navus is hosting a special Open House for the very first time on Friday, October 22 from 2pm – 7pm. All attendees will receive a free T-Shirt, and the design featured could be yours!

The theme for the event is inspired by 80’s Sci-Fi and Industrial design. BladeRunner, synth music, and Galaga should all be kept in mind. Imagine what the design schematics would have looked like for the Terminator and then apply that to assembly-line robots. Your shirt design should reflect this theme, but feel free to let your imagination run.

Rules:

All designs must incorporate the Navus logo, but feel free to modify it how you see fit. The logo file is available for download here: Navus Logo

You also do not need to use the Navus color palette. In fact, we encourage you to find inspiration from synthwave/vaporwave designs and color palettes.

The design should reference “Open House October 22, 2021”.

Art is limited to 5 colors.

Inspiration:

Need some more inspiration? Here’s what we’re looking for: 80’s Sci-Fi and Vaporwave meet Industrial and Technical. We’ve got a Pinterest board and a Spotify playlist to get you in the right headspace here: 

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/navusinc/2021-open-house-t-shirt-design-contest/

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cHYrgYfB9RH8NH85RbjJc?si=8220eb0d24fd46de&nd=1

Submissions:

Submissions for designs will be open to everyone until September 24, after which a winner will be chosen and announced. All submissions should be sent to info@navusinc.com as a vector file.

Prize:

The winner will be announced on October 1 and receive a batch of the final T-Shirts to give to friends and family along with a $500 Amazon Gift Card!

Submissions are open now, and we look forward to seeing what you come up with! Best of luck, and we hope to see you at our Open House Event on Friday, October 22 from 2pm – 7pm.

Robotics Demonstration Open House Announcement

Robotics Demonstrations at First Navus Open House

Navus

Navus is excited to announce our very first Open House happening on Friday, October 22, 2021!

The shop floor will be open for tours of our facility and its capabilities. Several of our custom-built automation lines and robotics will be on display, demonstrating their abilities alongside the engineers and technicians who designed them. This will be a chance to witness firsthand Navus’s services as well as an opportunity to meet with technicians and discuss their work. Come see how Navus uses state-of-the-art automation to solve problems for some of the finest companies in the world.

A variety of our technologies will be exhibited, ranging from sensor-guided robotics to tactical welding systems and everything in between. Our technicians can walk you through how our projects are developed from concept to the finished product. We’ll also show you how our turn-key solutions make our clients more productive, safer, and more profitable. 

Whether you’re interested in a career, the services we provide, or robotics, we are excited to showcase what we do for our clients every day and share the world of possibilities that automation provides.

All attendees will receive a free t-shirt, and if you’re interested in submitting a design for our contest check out the full details here.

Our doors will be open to visitors on Friday, October 22nd from 2pm – 7pm.

You will have opportunities to interact with our technology in fun and exciting ways. Also, refreshments will be provided throughout the event. Everyone who checks in will receive 2 free drink tickets and have access to an open snack bar

Join us for this free event on Friday, October 22, any time between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at 2640 Westcott Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37931. Please RSVP for this free event by Friday, October 8, 2021, and you’ll automatically be entered into a giveaway drawing. All attendees will receive free Navus swag, including a t-shirt!

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Team at Navus: No Challenge Is Too Big

Navus

Navus has the amazing opportunity to work in an industry that’s always on the cutting edge of technology, no matter what kind of project we’re working on. Because of our access to advanced programming, software, robotics, and other technologies, along with our talented team, we’ve established a reputation of solving our clients’ biggest challenges.

Meet Jennifer: Business Office Manager

Jennifer P. has been a part of the Navus team for 6 years. She is the go-to person when it comes to keeping Navus organized and productive. 

Just some of her duties include accounting, human resources, and administrative duties.

A Well-Rounded Professional Experience

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Jennifer: I handle Navus’ accounting, human resources, and also some administrative duties.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Jennifer: I was working with a national media company based in East Tennessee as a Project Cost Accountant. The television business can be hectic, and I found myself working long hours. I would work all day and then go home and work from my home office. With a family, I needed something with a better work/life balance.

At the time, I knew someone who’s husband worked for Navus, and she told me about an open position for a Business Office Manager. I interviewed and ended up taking the position! The great thing about accounting is that I can work in a variety of industries. There’s a lot of similarities between project accounting in television and what I do for Navus now.

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

Jennifer: I love the accounting work that I do for Navus. I’ve had an opportunity to do things with accounting that I’ve never been able to do in other positions. I’m a more well-rounded professional because of my role at Navus.

I also love my HR responsibilities. Being the first smiling face a new hire sees is rewarding since I’m giving them their first impression of Navus. I’m also the person our staff come to if they need something or just need to talk to someone.

Teamwork and a Team That Works

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Jennifer: I see it best in the staff meetings with upper level management. Anytime there’s an issue or a roadblock, everyone contributes ideas and solves the issue, no matter how big or small it is. Everybody can give their ideas and they’re always accepted and really thought through. Everyone really feels like they’re a contributor on every project we have.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

Jennifer: I’ve loved the projects where I’ve been able to see our process happen right before my eyes. I’m not an engineer, but our team does a wonderful job explaining their solution and how robotics function in a manufacturing environment without the need for an engineering degree to understand the process.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Jennifer: We’re already a contender in the automation industry, but I only see us growing into that role even more. We have the potential to expand nationally and help clients all across the country!

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication

Our team at Navus is invested in every solution we provide to clients. From concept to accounting, we believe in our ability to solve your challenges. Dedicated team members like Jennifer are a part of the reason our company succeeds in helping our clients forge a new future!

Are you interested in joining the Navus family? Reach out to us today. We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team of engineers and technicians. Learn more by emailing us at info@navusinc.com

The Team at Navus: Developing Simple, Yet Elegant Manufacturing Solutions That Work

Navus

At Navus, our clients often come to us with challenges in manufacturing that require specific, unique solutions. It’s our job to conceptualize solutions that use the right parts, solve their specific challenges, and do so in the budget and lead time our clients require. 

Have you ever wondered what the first step is in the process of working with us at Navus? It’s talking to our Senior Development Engineer!

Meet Bill: Senior Development Engineer

Bill S. has been a part of the Navus team for the past 5 years. He’s ultimately responsible for solving our clients’ manufacturing issues, but there’s a lot of fine details to this kind of role.

Developing Concepts That Transform What’s Possible with Unique Manufacturing Solutions

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Bill: I have a lot of experience having been a Mechanical Designer previously in my career, and in the automation industry as a whole for over 20 years. I use my experience to visit customer sites, and I create a concept for them that solves their unique manufacturing challenges. After that I write a proposal and an estimate, and send that to our potential client and work with them on price and lead time negotiations. Ultimately, I get them the solution that our clients need, in the budget they need, in the time they need it done.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Bill: I started my career in a machine/fab shop as an order packager. I learned how to run a couple of pieces of equipment like a CNC press break, big blast shed, saws… You know, just basic tools around the shop. Then I learned how to weld.

I went to school at night for welding, machining, and the manufacturing process. I then learned how to write CNC code, then used AutoCAD to help me write CNC code for the laser cutters we used in the shop at the time. From there I went to detail drafting since I had learned AutoCAD and some light design. I moved into more design work through the years with this experience.

I moved around a couple of different places throughout my career, mainly serving as a Mechanical Designer along with some applications engineering when it came to conveyor and material handling systems. When I decided to move into machine design, I took a position as a Mechanical Engineer for a custom automation company. Along the way I did some parts and service management and project management. Ultimately, I moved to TN and became the Mechanical Engineering Manager at Navus after working for a small startup automation company. 

Once I started at Navus, most of my time was spent developing concepts, and writing estimates and proposals for projects. It just made sense for me to fill that position full-time. I’ve been in my current role for the past three years!

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job at Navus? and working at Navus?

Bill: I love all of the different things I get to see from day to day. All of our work involves problem solving and collaboration. I have amazing folks to collaborate with on the Navus team, which means I never have to work alone on an island. 

Navus: What’s your favorite part about working with the team at Navus?

The folks here. They’re top notch. I love the ability to collaborate and work with them. I can always count on fresh ideas and problem solving from our team. 90% of our jobs are being good detectives. We’re trying to find the right parts for the right solutions. Our team is so intelligent. They can see things that I can’t, even with my 20+ years of experience. 

Some of our best solutions have come from the most unexpected places on our team. We all collaborate. Sometimes I overhear problems the mechanical engineering team is facing that I can help with, but then the team helps me out when I run into challenges too!

Our team does an excellent job of developing succinct and simple solutions that look elegant. If you have the opportunity to make something that looks really good, but also functions very well, you have to take that opportunity. If you had an end tool that could just be welded to a plate with some grippers on it, why not take the opportunity to make it look amazing and include some unique design elements? 

I’m proud that we always deliver solutions like that to our clients. This sets Navus apart from our competitors. We conceive solutions that stay simple and functional, but it looks like a finished product from the beginning of the process to the delivered solution. 

Teamwork and a Team That Works

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Bill: We had a customer we were building a whole bunch of equipment for, and one challenge was this material handling system —  a conveyor. We had to make some really odd moves to get rejected parts out of the system (e.g. if the system was overflowing). The mechanical engineering department came up with a solution for it, and we analyzed their solution together and came up with an even simpler solution through the analysis process. 

Instead of making all of these twists and turns, we cut back one of the conveyors we had originally by 10 inches and gave ourselves room to do a simple reject chute with a conveyor to move these parts to a more accessible ergonomic area without all of the twists and turns we had previously in our solution. It was simple, and it works.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

Bill: My favorite project personally is a high-speed assembly machine we built for the manufacturing of small parts. I love high-speed assembly projects. They are super fast, and the machines have to be so well built. 

This machine, in particular, has a 4-axis delta robot hung way up high, and then another 6-axis robot right next to it to handle the parts. Once the machine’s up and running, it doesn’t shake or vibrate. Everything’s moving really fast and flawlessly. It looks fantastic, and it’s everything you want a machine to be. It created 98% uptime in the last 3 years for our client. It’s a crazy efficient machine, and faster than what the end user required of Navus’ solution.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Bill: Not only do I want us to expand on our welding, additive manufacturing, and subtractive manufacturing capabilities. I also want to expand our material handling, and high speed assembly elements. With these expansions, we can be a more complete solution for many of the manufacturers in East Tennessee and beyond.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication with Unique Manufacturing Solutions

Our team at Navus is invested in every solution we provide to clients. With our intelligent team and all of the years of experience they have, we develop simple solutions that fit your unique needs, and look sleek and elegant at the same time. Dedicated team members like Bill are a part of the reason our company succeeds in helping our clients overcome complex challenges, and forge new possibilities for their manufacturing needs!

Are you interested in joining the Navus family? Reach out to us today. We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team of engineers and technicians. Learn more by emailing us at info@navusinc.com.

The Team at Navus: Pioneers of Custom Automation

Navus

Navus has a reputation for providing custom solutions for unique challenges. Our team’s dedication to doing the new and unexpected has proven time and again that we’re pioneers in the world of custom automation for manufacturing. From design to the finished product, collaboration across our company delivers the solutions our clients have come to expect.

Meet Jon: Automated Robotics Technician

Jon R. has been with Navus for 7 years. He’s done a little bit of everything — fabrication, welding, installation, and even customer support and education after install. We recently asked Jon to share his Navus story.

Custom Automation Solutions with Continued Support

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Jon: I fabricate, weld, and assemble automated equipment. I also install, test run, and provide customer support and education on their new equipment. I’ve spent years doing that with the robotic solutions that Navus provides. It’s been a great experience so far.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Jon: I was actually born a fifth generation carpenter just outside of Chicago. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin, worked at my father’s side for five years, until he told me one day to ditch carpentry. Then I got into a welding facility without knowing anything about welding. After 13 years of welding, traveling in 38 different states installing equipment, I moved to Tennessee.

I found an ad in the newspaper for mechanized welders and I applied. I passed my hand-welding test with flying colors. After hiring me they took me into a booth they were working on and told me what the robot was going to do. I laughed at them and told them that was impossible. My now supervisor told me to stick it out and see, and that was the project that eventually sent me overseas for a few years for installation.

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

Jon: I would say the creative flexibility is my favorite part of the job. You can’t find what we make on the shelves of any store. Everything is different. It’s all one-of-a-kind. We only had to compete against one other company for some of the biggest projects we’ve had. We’re like pioneers with the stuff we build.

But I also love the people I work with. That’s another favorite part of my job at Navus.

Advancing with Our Clients, One Solution at a Time

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Jon: You just described the entire 7 years I’ve worked at Navus. Everything we do is custom for our customers. Obviously, when you’re doing things no one else has ever done before, they come with their own little hiccups and challenges. But with the wide variety of talent we have under this roof, there’s somebody here that knows how to solve whatever challenge we face.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

Jon: There are a couple of projects that I’ve worked on from start to finish. One of the projects in particular I’ve taken apart and put back together multiple times. Our client just keeps advancing in what they’re doing, which lets us continue to advance our solutions for them.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Jon: One day I would love to learn more about the programming and program design side of what we do for our clients. I already do so much with fabrication and installation, that programming would add the final piece to the full picture of each project.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication

The team at Navus brings a wealth of expertise to every single project. We pride ourselves on an environment where our team can learn and grow in areas they’re interested in. Every single step of our work includes opportunities to collaborate and enjoy new perspectives of what we do for our clients. Dedicated team members like Jon who have worked with us for years are a part of the reason that our high standards for the solutions and products we deliver are possible!

Are you interested in joining the Navus family? Reach out to us today. We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team of engineers and technicians. Learn more by emailing us at info@navusinc.com

The Team at Navus: The Ever-Changing Nature of Custom Automation

Navus

With the advancement of technology, custom automation is a field that’s constantly evolving. That’s why the development of our team is so important to all of us at Navus. We’ve created a team of creative individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences that collaborate on a daily basis to solve challenges for our clients.

Meet Aaron: Shop Lead

Aaron M. has worked at Navus for 10 years. Intrigued with Navus by the kind of work and projects we do, he had always been interested in welding work. Now he’s an irreplaceable part of our team. We recently sat down and asked Aaron to share his Navus story.

New Things Every Day

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Aaron: I come in first thing in the morning, go through drawings, get with the guys in the shop to get everyone going in the right direction. I do a little bit of robotic programming. What initially got me started was the fabrication and welding side of things. Really, I do just a little bit of everything across the board.

Navus: How did you end up in this career and ultimately at Navus?

Aaron: I was always interested in this line of work, in the welding industry. I think when I interviewed here I was dealing with a long commute from home at my previous job and was looking for something closer. I came in for an interview, but the type of work is what attracted me most to the job. At the time they were starting a project that we’re still working on today. Those kinds of projects are what lured me to Navus.

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

Aaron: I love getting to do so many different things on a daily basis. It never gets boring. I’ve been here long enough, worked with most of the guys on our team for many years, and I just enjoy working with everyone on the team.

I just think we deal with so many cool projects. Our work is always changing. We’re a smaller company, which makes the environment more laid back and creative. Navus isn’t a sweatshop like some workplaces can be. We work on so many amazing things and we’re encouraged to work together and find unique solutions.

Collaboration Never Stops

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Aaron: Every project we do comes with its own challenges. We run across roadblocks along the way, and here recently we’ve worked on a project where everyone has pitched in and thrown out ideas. It’s just one of those things where we’re very good at working together to solve these issues we have on any project we bring in the door. 

There’s a lot of guys here who are very smart and very good at what they do. Between that and our capabilities we have out on the floor with our equipment, it makes it easier for us to solve these challenges for our clients.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

Aaron: Some of my favorite projects have involved traveling. I love getting to see some of the facilities our projects are installed in. Some of the local projects are cool, simply because they’re so close to home, and it’s exciting to be a part of what our clients are doing for the world. But that’s true beyond the local projects. It’s been so exciting to be a part of the advancement of technology through custom automation.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Aaron: The new technology that’s being released every year is exciting. Personally, I enjoy getting to learn about it and keep growing in my role. Navus is getting busier and busier and growing every year. I can’t wait for us to keep growing and help even more clients.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication

Our team at Navus brings a variety of experience and background to their roles here. We’ve developed our team intentionally to provide an endless amount of creativity and collaboration to ensure that we overcome all obstacles for our clients. Dedicated team members like Aaron who have worked with us for so long are a part of the reason that our high standards for the solutions and products we deliver are possible!

Are you interested in joining the Navus family? Reach out to us today. We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team of engineers and technicians. Learn more by emailing us at info@navusinc.com.

Contribution in Custom Automation

The Team at Navus: Contribution in Custom Automation

Navus

At Navus, the majority of our team has worked at the company for years. Each one comes with a different professional and educational background, and a lot of them are hired with one position in mind. But a trend at our company is our team members discovering what they’re most passionate about in the custom automation process, and moving into that position as they grow with the company.

Meet David: Automation Technician

David P. has been with the Navus family since 2007. He’s done a variety of jobs, including welding, fabrication, assembly work, and now mostly operates our water jet and press break. We recently sat down and asked David to share his Navus story.

Passion for Fabrication

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

David: I do a variety of things. Welding and fabricating. We do the automated machines, obviously, so that requires a lot of assembly work. But mostly I operate the water jet and the press break. I still do a little welding if they need some extra help with it, but mostly making parts for our machines is what I do day-to-day! I really enjoy it. 

The water jet cuts the material. It can cut a variety of thicknesses from 1/16” to 3” and a variety of different materials. It will even cut glass, cardboard, wood… You put it under there and it will basically cut it! It uses 90,000 PSI (pounds of force per square inch).

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

David: I was born into it. My dad was a sheet metal worker for 40 years so he always did custom cars at home. I’ve been welding since I was 5 years old. I studied some stuff about fabrication in the auto trade in school. I went to college for mechanical engineering, but I’m not an office person. I prefer to be in the shop. I worked in automotive painting for a while, but I really enjoy the welding side of that industry more. That’s what got me into this. 

The company I worked at before [Navus] had a huge warehouse and they had rented part of it out to Navus because of a big machine they were making. At the time, Navus needed the extra space. That’s actually how I got connected with Navus. They were interested in starting more of the welding side of fabrication, and asked if anyone at my job was interested! It’s close to home, and we’re always doing something different, which is really nice.

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

David: Seeing the whole process to me is fun. Right now they’re finishing a weld cell, getting ready to ship it, [at the same time] keeping the ball rolling on all of our other current and upcoming projects. I’m always cutting parts for the next machines. I love seeing the whole process, from me cutting the parts, to the guys welding them together, to powder coating, to assembly, to seeing the machine run. That’s just always super cool. We’ve made some really neat machines over the years.

Obviously, we stay busy. But it’s a really great environment. Our team trusts each other, and no one micromanages what we do. It’s close to home. And once I get somewhere I like, I like to stay.

More Heads Are Better Than One

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

David: The more heads you have in something, the better off you are as far as perspective goes. It’s just neat to see how people think differently to solve the same problems.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

David: There’s a bunch. The very first one was a filter machine. It was stainless steel filters and the machine did the entire process. It would actually run it out, sheer it off, crimp it, stack it, and  have it ready to go. Another one was for a paper company. They had big rolls of paper towels and the machine would stretch out the paper towels and cut it off. I liked that one a lot.

I also love the project I’m cutting parts for right now. It’s a return client that wanted us to do more of a system we’ve already created and delivered to them. It’s for a product that a lot of people are familiar with, so it’s cool to be a small part of the process of the production for them.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

David: I can’t wait to see what projects come in next. It seems we get something different every day to work on, and it’s just nice to be super busy and learn new things constantly.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex in Custom Automation & Fabrication

Navus’ team is made up of hand-picked individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to our work. We believe that a work environment like ours should be a safe place for our team members to show interest in new skills and grow in their career. Dedicated team members like David who have worked with us for so long are a part of the reason that our high standards for the solutions and products we deliver are possible!

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help overcome your challenges through custom automation solutions, or if you’re interested in joining the Navus family, reach out to us today. You can contact us by emailing info@navusinc.com

Ryan is an Electrical Technician at Navus

The Team at Navus: Building Bigger & Better Machines

Navus

For over 20 years, Navus has built a reputation of building unique systems and machines that are cutting edge. It ultimately comes down to building bigger and better machines, no matter what changes in the world of technology. 

In our previous blog post, our team member Matt discussed how Navus is on the forefront of new technologies in custom automation. Part of the reason Navus is able to keep up with our ever-changing industry — and provide solutions that others haven’t thought of — is through the fresh perspectives of a younger generation of technicians and engineers joining the team.

Meet Ryan: Electrical Technician

Ryan R. joined the Navus team as an Electrical Technician at the beginning of 

March 2021. Trained as an Electrical Engineer, Ryan is excited for the opportunity to spend hands-on time building the panels he’ll one day be designing for Navus.

Hands-On Experience Adds to a Future in Engineering

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Ryan: I got hired as an electrical engineer, but at the moment I’m working as an electrical technician. I’m starting on the floor, learning how to assemble and wire control panels before I start designing them for projects. I’ve been wiring, cutting holes in panels for all the peripheral devices like air conditioning units, switches, all that kind of stuff. When I assume my full engineering role, I’ll have hands-on experience of what I’m developing and designing.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Ryan: Electrical engineering is a family tradition, all the way back to my great-grandfather. It’s what I was trained to do from a young age, and it’s the path I wanted to follow.

I got my job at Navus when I walked in with my resume! Bill Sauerhoefer came out and talked to me for about 15 minutes. I told him how interested I was in the company, and about a week later I got a call from Buck Barber, and then I started the interview process.

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

Ryan: All of the hands-on experience I’m getting. Control systems engineers who work for larger companies sometimes never get their hands on the actual equipment. They never really learn about what they’re designing, which can cause a lot of miscommunication between the electrical technicians and the engineers. Navus is giving me that hands-on experience and putting me in the field so I can be an even more effective engineer one day.

A Team That Gets the Job Done

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Ryan: It was really awesome to see everyone come together on the runoff of a recent machine we built. We had the mechanical engineering team, electrical engineering team, welders, other vendors we were working with, all come together to make sure that this machine runoff went smoothly and was something we could confidently deliver to our client.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Ryan: I’m looking forward to assuming the responsibility of a formal electrical engineer, and managing the electrical engineering part of a project. In the future it would be amazing to manage the entire life cycle of a project. I’m looking forward to growing with the company and building bigger and better machines together.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex of Custom Automation

Navus’ team is made up of hand-picked individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to our work. We believe that a work environment like ours should be a safe place for our team members to show interest in new skills and grow in their career. Supporting team members like Ryan in their growing career is part of the reason that our high standards for the solutions and products we deliver are possible!

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help overcome your challenges through custom automation solutions, or if you’re interested in joining the Navus family, reach out to us today. You can contact us by emailing info@navusinc.com.

The Team at Navus: Forerunners of Technology Advancement

Navus

Navus has a reputation of delivering systems that work for our clients. We talk about solving client challenges regularly because it’s what we do every day! But how do we do it? We constantly look for ways to use, and even develop, the latest advanced technologies to ensure that our solutions work.

From robotics programming to bridging the gap between academic and hands-on engineering, our team takes their wealth of experience and knowledge to work with them every day of the week. They collaborate to make our solutions the best choice on the market, and think about challenges from every possible angle.

Meet Matt: Automation Technician

Matt N. recently joined the Navus team at the end of 2020, but he’s jumped right into his role creating solutions for our clients’ challenges. He’s been an impressive addition to our team, and we can’t wait to see how he continues to grow in knowledge and expertise at Navus.

Creating Something New Every Day

Navus: Describe what you do in your role at Navus.

Matt: I assemble and install electrical components as an aspect of our automation systems.

Navus: How did you end up in this career, and ultimately at Navus?

Matt: I was in the right place at the right time! In Fall of 2020, I was in my last semester of Electrical Engineering at Pellissippi State Community College. Navus came to visit our class to let us know about them and the work they do, but also to get to know us a little bit. I talked to them, and they thought I’d be a good fit at Navus, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for my career..

Navus: What’s your favorite part about your job and working at Navus?

Matt: I just like that it’s not always the same thing. Every day is a little different. Sometimes it’s similar to something I’ve done before, but oftentimes it’s something completely new. Especially for me, since I’m coming from the academic side of engineering rather than the experience side of it like some of my co-workers. It’s good for me to learn the practical side of some of the academic things that I learned about electrical engineering.

It’s also nice that Navus is a smaller company. We’re able to have input into the projects we’re working on, and to associate with everyone who’s involved with the project. I get to talk to the engineers, the project managers, the other fabricators, and the other technicians. We tend to work closely together that way to find the best multi-disciplinary solutions to the challenges that we face. I like that a lot about our company.

A Team That’s Not Afraid of Challenges

Navus: Describe some of the ways you’ve seen the team at Navus work together to overcome challenges.

Matt: Everyone brings their own expertise to any challenge we face. When we look for solutions, everybody brings a different perspective based on what they know about that type of issue, what the end goal is, and how best to attain it for our client. 

We can collaborate and work together, and you end up getting input from other sides that you may not have thought about. Our team is familiar with all types of materials and the processes for fabricating them. They always bring their knowledge into play, and being a smaller operation allows us to share in those ways and come up with solutions for challenges.

Navus: What have been your favorite projects to work on?

Matt: Right now we’re working on a line that’s going to be a huge part of the future of the automobiles. It feels good to play a small part in the next generation of the automotive industry.

Navus: What do you hope for your future at Navus?

Matt: Honestly, I just like to see the robots dance. As advanced as robot technology is, and the constant advancement of the different tools we have to use with robots, we’re able to bring more and more of them into play and have greater precision with less waste and more efficiency. We create a better product for the end consumer—not only the client we’re working with, but also their ultimate client. It’s nice to be on the forefront of technology advancing.

Forging the Future & Clarifying the Complex of Custom Automation

Navus’ team is made up of hand-picked individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to our work. One of our values as a team is the ability to collaborate and overcome any challenges our clients face. Team members like Matt are part of the reason that our high standards for the solutions and products we deliver are possible!

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help overcome your challenges through custom automation solutions, or if you’re interested in joining the Navus family, reach out to us today. You can contact us by emailing info@navusinc.com

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