Career Profile
Self directed self starter and expert problem solver. Passionate about learning, creating, sharing, and most importantly: about the devices that make the world work! Experienced with process control, power generation, warehouse automation, R&D, product development and networking. Currently exploring Object Orientated programming (industrially), Docker, Home Automation, Cybersecurity, TwinCAT, Codesys and contributing to open source learning initiatives and software. Always tinkering at home and work, applying what I learn, and helping others grow. Highly experienced Control Systems and Automation Specialist with over a decade of expertise in the design, implementation, and support of advanced automation systems in research laboratories, tech startups, and industrial settings. Practical, hands-on skills in 3D printing, Python scripting, and mechanical fabrication (including woodworking/carpentry) developed through years of being a home hobbyist. Proud member of APEGA.
Experiences
Providing maintenance and engineering support for a variety of R&D process equipment and industrial machinery and building automation systems
- Proposed, designed, and implemented control system modernization projects to upgrade plastics R&D laboratory equipment (30+ years in service)
- Automated complex measurement workflows on equipment (Mitutoyo CMM), turning a manual bench process into an automated procedure using VBA, achieving 90% automation and significantly increasing throughput and consistency
- Sourcing and managing external contractors for custom software development and support
- Created a Python utility to interact with a PLC to read/write thousands of tags
- Interpreting and applying machinery safety standards (CSA Z432:23, ISO 13849) to bring outdated extrusion machinery up to modern safety standards
- Developed comprehensive control narratives and logic architecture for bespoke, in-house laboratory equipment used in complex experiments
Developing new automated products for the micro canning industry
- Developing CodeSys and TwinCAT based PLC systems for beverage canning machinery, taking a design from concept to commercialization
- Developed software utilities (using Powershell and C#) to interact with PLCs for data staging, configuration, and system commissioning
- Designed and deployed an IoT data collection system for data acquisition and analysis
- Developed software release processes and associated documentation for version management and site deployments
- Conducted hazard reviews and functional safety assessments to support CE certification for OEM machinery
Design and development of specifications for control systems, and power systems for use in industrial processing facilities.
- Interpreting client design specifications
- Developing scopes of work packages
- Preparing control system specifications and designs
Designing and supporting control systems for automated storage and retrieval systems.
- Developed fabrication, testing, and commissioning procedures and documentation for PLC-based control systems in the automated warehousing sector
- Designed, assembled, programmed, and implemented PC and PLC (Beckhoff, Siemens) control panels and electrical systems for automated storage and retrieval systems
- Worked with in house software developers to integrate custom C# software with PLCs and communicate with peripheral devices (RS-232 bar code scanners and power supplies)
- Created prototypes for client demonstrations and trade shows; including mechanical and wiring assemblies for custom fixtures and jigs
- Led Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for system incidents (crashes, fires), developing and implementing effective remediation plans through programming updates, procedural changes and hardware changes
- Actively identified and implemented improvements to machinery safety, addressing compliance concerns
- Created custom C# based software utilities to load and configure PLC code
Development and commissioning and startup support for distributed control systems used in energy production facilities.
- Programmed and commissioned control systems (PLCs, DCSs, HMIs, servers), primarily with Emerson DeltaV and Rockwell Factorytalk SE (ControlLogix) based systems
- Performed end-to-end system integration, interfacing, PLCs, diverse software applications, and external IT networks with the primary plant control system
- Managed control system changes via client Management of Change (MOC) processes, ensuring safe implementation and detailed documentation
- Building plant control system logic and architecture by interpreting: P&IDs, electrical schematics, civil layouts, process flow diagrams, cause and effect tables, and equipment manuals
- Supported clients remotely and on-site for control system issues, training and updates
- Troubleshooted mechanical, electrical, process, software, and networking issues on critical plant equipment (MCCs, servers, generators, switchgear, instrumentation, sensors)
- Integrated a wide array of devices using standard communication protocols: Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, modbus TCP/IP, and OPC into site SCADA systems
- Deployed and configured virtualized server systems (Hyper-V, vshpere(VMWare) and core networking equipment for distributed control systems
Certifications
Within the discipline of Electrical Engineering; in the field of automation and control systems: -Programming, evaluating, advising on, and reporting on: Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). -Designing, evaluating, advising on, reporting on, and preparing plans and specifications for: automation control panels and the related power systems up to and including 208VAC.
Projects
A few things I do for fun!