While pursuing his pre-graduation studies, Tikhomirov became a senior technician at the Nauchno-issledovatelsky institute-20 (Scientific Research Institute-20, NII-20) in Moscow, a close affiliate of the Aviapribor Plant, a manufacturer of aircraft instruments and radios [REF].
Tikhomirov's capabilities were soon recognized, and in early 1941, he was made Laboratory Head and Deputy Technical Manager of the NII-20.