Basra, Iraq
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I am a Control and Systems Engineer with experience across SCADA, power generation, MV substation automation, industrial networking, commissioning, project coordination, and technical business development. My work combines field engineering, operational technology, structured documentation, stakeholder coordination, and applied robotics research.

Al-Fadhel Al-Kabeer Co. — Siemens Approved Partner · Basra, Iraq
Jul 2024 — Present · 23 ON / 7 OFF

• Deliver SCADA solutions for MV substations using SICAM PAS, SICAM A8000, and related Siemens automation platforms.
• Coordinate installation, testing, commissioning, energization, HSE requirements, and technical interfaces across the EPC lifecycle.
• Issue and track DPRs, ITRs, RLMUs, test records, redlines, and technical correspondence with Siemens AG and BGC / Kent plc stakeholders.
• Expanded into junior business-development responsibilities in July 2025, supporting OEM partnerships and company relationships.
• Prepare technical and commercial proposals and tenders for automation projects in the oil & gas and power sectors.
• Identify opportunities, delivery requirements, and resource needs aligned with partner portfolios and market demand.

ATC — ITSP at Al-Majal Business Park · Basra, Iraq
Dec 2023 — Jun 2024 · 45 ON / 15 OFF

• Supported switching, routing, firewalls, access control, IPTV, and CCTV infrastructure.
• Improved workflows through documentation, training, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Supported ISO-based compliance, auditing, and risk-management activities.

Mosul Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant / Ministry of Electricity · Mosul Dam, Iraq
Aug 2019 — Nov 2023 · 1 ON / 3 OFF

• Operated a 750 MW hydroelectric station through SCADA, including startup, shutdown, grid synchronization, load dispatch, and reactive-power control.
• Planned and executed LOTO switching for routine and corrective maintenance.
• Performed operational rounds, monitored turbine and generator parameters, handled alarms, and issued daily logs, KPIs, and fault reports to the National Control Centre.

Local Internet Service Providers · Kirkuk / Mosul, Iraq
Aug 2013 — Jul 2019

• Configured switching, routing, firewalls, and RADIUS-based network services.

• SCADA & Automation: SICAM PAS, SICAM A8000, WinCC, Siemens TIA Portal, IEC 61850 GOOSE/MMS, IEC 60870-5-104/101, DNP3, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, PROFINET.
• Commissioning & Project Delivery: installation coordination, pre-commissioning, SAT, signal testing, interlocks/intertrips, energization support, ITRs, DPRs, RLMUs, redlines, HSE and LOTO practices.
• Industrial Networking: RUGGEDCOM, MikroTik, Fortinet, Cisco, routing, switching, VLAN, VPN, SNMP, NTP, CCTV and IPTV.
• Programming & Robotics: Python, C/C++, MATLAB, ROS 1/2, Bash, REST APIs, MQTT, multithreading, SLAM, path planning, OpenCV and PCL.
• Embedded & IoT: ESP32, Raspberry Pi, embedded Linux, RTOS and Node-RED.
• Engineering Tools: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN P8, SolidWorks, Inventor, SAP PM/MM/PS, Git, Jira, ArcGIS and Adobe design tools.
• Management Systems: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 20000-1.
• Languages: Arabic — native; English — professional working proficiency.

M.Sc. Thesis · University of Technology — Iraq · Nov 2021 — Oct 2023

• Developed an autonomous indoor sterilization robot using 2D LiDAR-based grid SLAM.
• Proposed an enhanced global path planner to improve navigation efficiency.

Mobile Robotics Research Team · Multinational online collaboration · Jun 2022 — Jun 2024

• Contributed to an open-source framework for evaluating occupancy-grid map quality and benchmarking 2D laser-based SLAM algorithms.

B.Sc. Graduation Project · University of Mosul · Jan 2019 — May 2019

• Developed a 3D-printed prosthetic arm controlled through Myo EMG signals and machine-learning-based gesture recognition.

• Prototype SCADA-based oil-tank level monitoring system.
• Smartphone-controlled wheelchair.
• Multi-task mobile robot for STEAM education.

• Mobile Robot Controller
• Path Planner Benchmark
• Gmapping Results and Tests
• Myo Gesture Armband Experiments
• Mapping Launcher

• M.Sc. in Control and Systems Engineering / Mechatronics Engineering — University of Technology — Iraq, Baghdad, Nov 2020 — Nov 2023.
• B.Sc. in Mechatronics Engineering — University of Mosul, Oct 2013 — Jul 2019.

1. Ahmed, Z. A., and Raafat, S. M. (2023). An Extensive Analysis and Fine-Tuning of Gmapping’s Initialization Parameters. International Journal of Intelligent Engineering and Systems, Q2, Scopus. DOI
2. Ahmed, Z. A., and Raafat, S. M. (2023). Enhanced Global Path Planning Efficiency by Bidirectional A*, Gradient Descent, and Orientation Interpolation Algorithms. International Journal of Intelligent Engineering and Systems, Q2, Scopus. DOI
3. Dhaoui, R., Ahmed, Z. A., Houda, T., and Dhaoui, C. (2025). Benchmarking 2D Laser-Based SLAM Algorithms: A Novel Framework for Assessing Occupancy Grid Map Quality. International Journal of Intelligent Robotics and Applications, Springer, Scopus. DOI

• Oil & Gas Industry Operations and Markets — Duke University, 2024, final score 93.43%.
• PLC Developer Learning Path — seven-course LinkedIn Learning program, 2023.
• Reading HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Drawings and Schematics — LinkedIn Learning, 2023.
• Occupational Safety and Health — LinkedIn Learning, 2021.
• Arabs in Neuroscience Summer School — selected among the top 20 of 250 applicants, 2022.
• Control and Systems Engineering Internship — Mosul Company for Iron and Steel, 2018.

• Living Light International and Ibdaa for Sustainable Development — event-based STEAM instructor, IT support, graphic design and activity coordination, 2021 — Present.
• OptimiTech Initiative — co-founder; delivered IoT and embedded-systems workshops, managed an online electronics store, events and public relations, 2017 — 2020.