Mastering Engineering Leadership · 2026-07-06 · 38 min
In this episode, I speak with Jari Navarro Salas, Founder and President of Inventio, a manufacturing technology and consulting company that helps manufacturers improve productivity by combining analytics software, operational expertise, and data-driven decision-making. Jari shares how he entered engineering unexpectedly after an arts-focused high school education. A single physics course revealed a passion for solving real-world problems and changed the direction of his career. He explains how curiosity, rather than early talent, became the foundation for long-term success. In our leadership segment, Jari reflects on two decades in manufacturing, progressing from technician to plant manager. An MIT Executive MBA sparked his transition into entrepreneurship, where he applied deep customer empathy and manufacturing expertise to build software for industry. He emphasizes customer-centricity, co-creation, and persistence in business development. Finally, Jari explains that leadership begins with culture, values, and personal example. He closes by encouraging engineers to define their values, lead themselves first, and create visions that inspire others.
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