Abdullah Aboutaha | Engineering Portfolio

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About Me

I build and program the systems that make machines run. I'm finishing my Bachelor of Automation Engineering Technology at McMaster University this December, backing it with an Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering and a Business Certificate — a mix that lets me move between the technical floor and the people who fund and run the projects.

Most of what I do comes down to controls and electrical work: writing ladder logic on Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms, tuning PID loops for heaters and pumps, marking up panel schematics, and wiring up microcontrollers until the hardware does what the design says it should. I learn fastest with a multimeter in one hand and a wiring diagram in the other.

Right now I'm a Nuclear Applications Engineer Co-op at Eclipse Automation, working on tooling refurbishment — reading client specs, pulling together pricing and proposals, and translating between the engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams. What ties all my work together is a habit I picked up early: a job isn't finished when it runs once, it's finished when it's documented well enough that the next person can run it too.

Education

B.Tech Automation Engineering Technology — McMaster University

Credentials

Advanced Diploma, Chemical Engineering · Business Certificate

Location

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Graduating

December 2026

Core Focus Areas

⚙️

Automation & Controls

PLC programming, ladder logic, PID control, HMIs, and process-driven systems.

🔌

Electrical Design

Control panel schematics, wiring diagrams, and component integration in AutoCAD Electrical & EPLAN.

🤖

Embedded & Robotics

Arduino, ESP8266, sensors, actuators, FPGA digital logic, and ROBOGUIDE simulation.

📋

Documentation

SOPs, test procedures, system specs, and clear technical writeups for repeatable results.

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Experience

May 2026 — Present

Eclipse Automation · Oakville, ON

Nuclear Applications Engineer (Co-op)

Support nuclear tooling refurbishment projects by reviewing client technical specifications, scope requirements, and project documentation.
Assist in developing pricing estimates and proposal packages by coordinating inputs from engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and project management teams.
Communicate with clients and internal departments to clarify technical requirements and support accurate proposal development.

Nuclear ToolingProposalsTechnical Specs

Sept 2024 — Present

Mac Energy · Mississauga, ON

Electrical & PLC Programming Assistant

Reviewed electrical schematics for heater control panels using AutoCAD Electrical.
Collaborated with the engineering team on a PID-based PLC temperature control system for process heaters and pumps.
Conducted bench testing and troubleshooting to ensure smooth operation, including sensor readings and relay operations.

PLCPID ControlAutoCAD Electrical

May 2024 — Aug 2024

Region of Peel — Public Works

Restoration Engineer

Conducted site assessments to propose, create, and oversee restoration assignments for water application services.
Created and maintained technical documents and SOPs in Microsoft tools, reducing repeated onsite mistakes and resident complaints while streamlining project workflows.

Site AssessmentSOP DevelopmentDocumentation

Jan 2024 — Apr 2024

PepsiCo — Quaker · Peterborough, ON

Supply Chain (Quality Assurance)

Reviewed and proposed modifications to production line designs to improve efficiency and reduce waste, using AutoCAD/SolidWorks for layout adjustments.
Built proficiency in quality standards (HACCP, FS22K, FSMA) and executed rigorous audits (GMP, ATP swabbing), including lockout/tagout and orange tag procedures.

SolidWorksHACCP / FSMAProcess Audits

Mar 2019 — Present

ABT Landscape Inc. · Oakville, ON

Founder & Manager

Founded and operate a full-service landscaping and renovation company serving 340+ residential and commercial clients.
Manage a team of 4 while coordinating estimates, scheduling, client communication, and project execution across interlock, hardscape, lawn care, and snow removal.
Generated over $450,000 in revenue within an 18-month period through project sales, maintenance contracts, and referrals.

OperationsTeam ManagementEstimatingClient Relations

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Featured Projects

6-axis industrial robotic arm showing 6 degrees of freedom

Capstone · Robotics

6-DOF Robotic Arm

Design and build of a 6-axis robotic arm with teach-and-repeat functionality. A cross-platform HTML5/JavaScript teach pendant sends JSON-encoded HTTP requests over Wi-Fi to a dual-processor controller (Arduino Mega 2560 + ESP8266), driving NEMA 17/23 motors and MKS servos over a CAN-bus, with an ST3215 serial-bus servo gripper.

CAN BusESP8266Teach PendantServos

Traffic control ladder logic with sequencer and timer

Controls · PLC

Traffic Control System

Ladder logic program controlling a three-light traffic system using cascading timers. Developed in industry-standard PLC software (Siemens TIA Portal / Allen-Bradley RSLogix) with full documentation of specs, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.

Ladder LogicTIA PortalRSLogixTimers

Elevator control system breadboard wiring with Arduino and LCD

Digital Systems · FPGA

3-Level Elevator Control System

A 3-floor elevator system built with FPGA and digital logic circuits. Integrated push buttons for floor selection, LEDs for position indication, a 7-segment display for real-time tracking, reed switches for floor detection, and a motor driver IC for movement.

FPGADigital Logic7-SegmentReed Switches

PID temperature controller wiring with thermocouple, SSR and heating element

Controls · Process

PID Temperature Control System

Collaborated on a PID-based PLC temperature control system for process heaters and pumps at Mac Energy. Conducted bench testing and troubleshooting to validate sensor readings and relay operations, and reviewed control panel electrical schematics in AutoCAD Electrical.

PID ControlPLCAutoCAD ElectricalBench Testing

Excel project budget vs actual dashboard with rate schedule and charts

Tooling · Data

Excel Macro Verification Tool

Built a macro-enabled Excel system at PepsiCo–Quaker to centralize raw material uploads and verify correct daily material usage. Analyzed production line data to catch recurring issues like expiry-date mismatches and incorrect product barcodes.

Excel VBAMacrosData AnalysisQA

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Extracurricular

PACK EXPO automation and packaging trade show in Chicago

Industry · Automation

Automation & Manufacturing Expos

I regularly attend major automation and manufacturing trade shows to keep up with the technology I work with — including the 2024 expo in Chicago, one of the largest automation events in North America. Walking the floor, talking to vendors, and seeing new robotics, controls, and machine-vision systems in action keeps my knowledge current and gives me a feel for where the industry is heading.

Leadership · Community

McMaster Palestinian Students' Association

As Financial Planner for the McMaster Palestinian Students' Association (MPSA), I manage budgets and coordinate the logistics behind our events and fundraisers. One I'm especially proud of is Dine for Palestine, where we raised $13,000 for humanitarian relief in Gaza — planning the event, managing funds, and bringing the community together for a cause that matters.

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