Advanced Navigation has announced the appointment of Pawel Michalak as its new chief technology officer, a move the company says is intended to guide the next phase of its technology development in navigation and autonomous systems.
In a statement, the Australia-based company said Michalak will oversee efforts to evolve its approach to positioning, navigation and timing as operating environments become more complex and less reliant on traditional satellite-based navigation.
Advanced Navigation said factors such as harsh operating conditions, electronic interference and missions in deep-sea or space environments are placing increasing strain on GPS-only navigation systems.
According to the company, Michalak’s role will focus on advancing a resilient PNT architecture designed to operate without dependence on a single signal source. This includes expanding engineering teams globally and developing new navigation capabilities intended for use in contested or extreme environments.
Advanced Navigation chief executive officer Chris Shaw said the appointment reflects a broader shift in how navigation systems are being designed. He said that reliance on satellite signals alone is no longer sufficient and that modern systems must account for disruptions and unreliability as standard conditions.
Shaw said Michalak brings experience in translating research into deployable technologies, along with academic and industry expertise relevant to the company’s long-term objectives.
As outlined in the release, Michalak will lead efforts to industrialise a multi-sensor, inertial-centric navigation architecture.
Advanced Navigation said this approach integrates technologies such as inertial sensing, photonics, robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, underwater acoustics, and advanced GPS antennas and receivers.
The company describes this combination as forming a “nervous system” for autonomous platforms operating across subsea, land, air and space domains.
Commenting on his appointment, Michalak said there is no single solution to future navigation challenges and that resilient PNT systems will rely on the fusion of data from multiple advanced sensors.
He said inertial navigation would act as a central element within this framework, supporting autonomous decision-making even when satellite signals are unavailable.
Advanced Navigation said Michalak brings decades of senior leadership experience across Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Australia.
His background includes leading technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives in sectors such as energy transition, infrastructure and climate-related industries. Prior to joining Advanced Navigation, he served as head of digital transformation at Fugro, where he led global engineering, artificial intelligence and robotics programs focused on spatial intelligence.
Michalak holds a PhD in satellite geodesy, an MBA, and executive postgraduate qualifications from institutions including Stanford University, Warsaw University of Technology and Business School Lausanne.
Advanced Navigation said the appointment supports its long-term strategy to contribute to autonomous capabilities across sectors including defence, humanitarian response, energy transition, climate science and exploration.
