Jaime Navarro, among Control Engineering Leaders Under 40 for 2010

Want to meet the next generation of manufacturing automation and controls leaders? In November 2010, Control Engineering highlights 19 young professionals from around the globe who are making their marks in everything from system design to academia. These leaders aim to inspire others to get involved in engineering and resolve local and global challenges through smarter applications of automation and control technologies. Meet Jaime Navarro ...

November 15, 2010

Jaime  Navarro, 39   

Project Engineer, 5 years

Matrix Technologies Inc.       

Indianapolis, IN USA

www.matrixti.com

Job function: System Integration or Consulting

Academics: BSEET, Purdue University       

Achievements: I recently achieved my Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. This was a real challenge to balance work and studies while learning the material. The knowledge I obtained while studying for the PMP certification gave me a better understanding and foundation of project management and how to apply those skills in my career. Using my background from previous Air Force military experience, I am able to assess different situations, and come up with multiple ideas from different angles in which to troubleshoot or resolve issues when they arise. This also has given me the attitude and confidence to handle many different situations that arise when performing engineering services for a client. These two achievements and experience allow me to better help clients define their requirements, implement new technologies, improve production throughput, increase product quality, and maintain a safer work environment. I have received the opportunity to manage more engineering projects, which allows me to expand from a controls-only aspect of a project into a variety of engineering disciplines working together on multiple projects. The multidiscipline projects often include controls, electrical, mechanical, and structural disciplines.

Non-work hobbies: Coaching soccer for my children’s teams. I enjoy working with children, and coaching allows me to spend more time with them and learn from them also. I not only get to show them how to have a good time while playing soccer, I get to show them some of the skills I have learned from 20 years of playing soccer. A great benefit for me is the ability to learn the way children learn and how to motivate them. This helps me be a better coach and, more importantly, a better father.

Engineering hobbies: I assisted an individual associated with a nonprofit group with the engineering feasibility of producing a small-scale ethanol production unit for farmers to create and consume fuel for their own use. I felt this was an interesting and worthy cause, and was happy to be involved it even though it was still in its infancy stage. This individual had a good beginning, but he lacked the ability of determining the technology involved to perform such a function and to maintain a feasible budget.

More? I speak fluent Spanish and basic Italian. I come from a Hispanic background and learned the Spanish language and culture from my parents and wife. While in the Air Force, I was able to visit many countries, including Italy. I became very fluent speaking Italian at the time. I enjoy cooking in various forms to include smoking and grilling outside. Cooking allows my creative side to come out and I enjoy cooking for my family. Experimentation in the kitchen is a favorite pastime.

Start in controls: I was the type of child who was always interested in how things work. I would take things apart and put them back together just to see if I could. I have always enjoyed resolving difficult problems and the challenge that comes with finding the resolution. Engineering is all about the discovery of a solution to a problem, and I found that becoming an engineer would allow me to create a career out of my need to explore new technologies and solve difficult challenges.

Return to main article: Control Engineering Leaders Under 40, class of 2010

– Compiled by Renee R. Bassett for Control Engineering.

See www.controleng.com/awards for other winners and other recognition programs for all ages.