Control Systems Engineer

Kyaw Min Thu

20+ years building, programming, and commissioning industrial control systems — now applying that depth to semiconductor critical facilities and SCADA. Experience spans offshore drilling, R&D test platforms, manufacturing, and warehouse automation.

CONTACT ME VIEW EXPERIENCE DOWNLOAD RÉSUMÉ

// System Overview

Experience 20+ Years

Specialization PLC / Controls

PLC Platforms Rockwell, Siemens

HMI / SCADA Ignition, FactoryTalk, Cimplicity

Data Acquisition NI CompactDAQ, LabVIEW

Domains MFG, Offshore, R&D

Degree BS Computer Science

Location Bay Area, CA

Core Competencies

SYS.01

PLC Platforms — Rockwell ControlLogix, Siemens S7-300/1500, Mitsubishi FX, Omron

Data Acquisition — NI CompactDAQ, LabVIEW, Keyence sensors, Python / SQL

SCADA / HMI — Ignition, GE Cimplicity, FactoryTalk View, digital-twin layer

Protocols — OPC UA, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, MQTT, SECS/GEM

Programming — Python, SQL, C, Ladder Logic, Structured Text, FBD

Hardware — Fanuc Robotics, VFDs, Servo Drives, NI CompactDAQ, Safety circuits

Root Cause Analysis

SYS.02

Two cases that demonstrate structured debugging across different failure types — process layer failure and human-system interaction failure.

Case 01 · Process Failure

Fire Training Simulator — Intermittent Ignition Failure

Symptom Ignition failed intermittently — no alarms, control logic correct

Isolation Control, electrical, and mechanical layers verified. Air supply uninstrumented — no visibility

Root Cause Clogged air filter → insufficient pressure at ignition phase

Fix Replaced filter, added pressure transmitter, integrated into monitoring, PM schedule implemented

Outcome Ignition immediate and stable · Zero recurrence

Case 02 · Human-System Interaction

Amazon Fulfillment — Intermittent System Shutdown

Symptom Random system stops — no alarms, no deterministic pattern, not reproducible

Challenge PLC trending insufficient for rare events — no logging, trigger source unknown

Approach Built Python monitoring system capturing all stop conditions, permissives, and interlocks 24/7 with real-time Slack alerting

Root Cause Unintentional manual input — intermittent button trigger by associate, invisible without logging

Outcome Root cause confirmed · Full event visibility · Zero recurrence

Professional Experience

SYS.03

APR 2026 — PRESENT WGNSTAR — Semiconductor Tool Research Site

Control Systems Engineer — Facility Management Systems

Support ultrapure water generation and distribution (RO → DI → UPW), acid and HF neutralization, exhaust abatement and scrubbers, and cleanroom air-handling units (AHU).
Support fire and gas life-safety control systems for hazardous-area and cleanroom operations.
Work across Ignition and GE Cimplicity SCADA with an integrated digital-twin layer for monitoring and diagnostics.
Perform troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and coordination with technicians, vendors, and operations during corrective maintenance and system recovery.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

MAY 2025 — MAR 2026 C&W Services / JLL — Amazon Fulfillment Centers

Automation Engineer / Controls Lead

Controls lead for Rockwell ControlLogix PLCs across conveyor and sortation systems in 24/7 fulfillment centers.
Primary Fanuc robot technical lead — troubleshooting, system recovery, and commissioning support.
Built Python monitoring tools for fault trending and downtime analysis.
Commissioned a conveyor inspection system integrating sensors, PLC logic, and HMI diagnostics.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

MAR 2018 — FEB 2025 Energy Recovery Inc.

Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Technician

Performed full engineering scope: system design, PLC programming, commissioning, and validation

Owned full engineering lifecycle — concept design, component specification, sourcing, installation, testing, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance.
Designed and built NI-based control systems (CompactDAQ, LabVIEW) for in-house R&D and field-deployed applications.
Programmed Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) for high-pressure pump, valve, and instrumentation control.
Integrated Keyence sensors and vision systems into automated test and measurement workflows.
Designed electrical schematics, specified and sourced components, built control panels, and wired safety interlocks.
Used Python and SQL for data acquisition, experiment traceability, and test repeatability across R&D projects.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

OCT 2015 — MAR 2018 Tesla Motors / SolarCity

Maintenance Technician (Automation & Controls)

Supported high-volume manufacturing automation including Fanuc robotics and Rockwell PLCs.
Performed predictive maintenance and root cause analysis on production lines.
Improved Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) through data-driven reliability programs.
Modified control logic and supported production startups and line expansions.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

APR 2012 — APR 2015 MHWirth (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Field Service Engineer (Controls & Automation)

Led full control system conversion for offshore drilling top drive — Mitsubishi to Siemens S7 PLC.
Managed all project phases: architecture, I/O mapping, interlock logic, ATEX-certified cabinet fabrication.
Tuned hydraulic PID loops and verified control performance under live offshore load conditions.
Commissioned systems offshore with live troubleshooting in hazardous environments.
Full lifecycle ownership from design to production handover.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

OCT 2010 — MAR 2012 GE Power

Tooling Center Technician

Maintained and calibrated industrial electrical equipment to safety and performance standards.
Managed inventory and tool preparation for field maintenance teams.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

MAY 2009 — OCT 2010 Hexcel Solutions Pte. Ltd.

System Engineer

Designed and commissioned automated firefighter training systems for Singapore Civil Defence Academy.
Programmed PLCs and built SCADA interfaces for fire, gas, and hydraulic control systems.
Integrated LPG and kerosene fire effects with the highest safety standards.
Delivered documentation and operator training for end users.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

JUN 2005 — DEC 2008 Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing

Associate Engineer — Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Maintained CIM systems (IBM SiView) and factory automation data platforms.
Troubleshot server logs and optimized data collection workflows for production control.
Improved reliability and uptime of automation data systems.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

JUN 2004 — MAY 2005 United Test and Assembly Center Ltd

Engineering Assistant — Mixed Signal Logic Testing

Maintained pneumatic controlled chip handling systems.
Troubleshot mixed signal logic processing test equipment and minimized downtime.
Performed tester and handler setup, preventive maintenance, and calibration.

▾ CLICK TO EXPAND

Project Highlights

SYS.04

Offshore · Controls Conversion

Full PLC Conversion — Hydraulic Top Drive, Offshore Drilling

Led a complete control system conversion for an offshore drilling top drive from Mitsubishi PLC to Siemens S7. Covered the full project lifecycle — architecture, I/O mapping, interlock logic, ATEX-certified cabinet fabrication, and on-site commissioning. Tuned hydraulic PID loops under live load conditions in a hazardous-area environment.

Siemens S7 TIA Portal PID Control ATEX Hydraulics

R&D · Test Automation

High-Pressure Test Rig Automation — Water & Wastewater R&D

Owned full engineering scope — concept design through commissioning — for in-house and field-deployed NI-based control systems. Programmed Allen-Bradley PLCs and NI CompactDAQ for pump, valve, and instrumentation control. Integrated Keyence sensors for measurement and feedback. Specified and sourced components, designed electrical schematics and safety interlocks. Used Python and SQL for data acquisition and experiment traceability.

Allen-Bradley NI CompactDAQ LabVIEW Keyence Python SQL Safety interlocks

Personal Tool · Standards Reference

Control System Standards Atlas

Personal engineering reference for industrial control system standards — navigate NEC, NFPA 79, IEC 60204-1, functional safety (IEC 61511), cybersecurity, and hazardous area standards across lifecycle stages without opening PDFs. Built a RAG browser for cross-standard lookup and comparison.

IEC 60204-1 NFPA 79 IEC 61511 NEC Jekyll Python

PRIVATE REPOSITORY · DEMO ON REQUEST

Warehouse · Control Monitoring

PLC & IPC Control Monitoring — Amazon Fulfillment Centers

Built monitoring dashboards reading live PLC and IPC data across conveyor and sortation systems in 24/7 fulfillment centers. Covered commissioning and maintenance of control panels and IPCs. Developed Python-based tools for fault trending and downtime analysis.

Rockwell ControlLogix FactoryTalk Python IPC

Personal Project · In Development

Off-Site Digital Twin — Ignition SCADA + Python

Independently building a digital-twin testbed in Ignition SCADA with Python to model and monitor facility control processes — mirroring the digital-twin layer used in semiconductor critical facilities. Focused on simulated I/O, real-time tag modeling, and predictive monitoring for early fault detection.

Ignition Python Digital Twin SCADA Predictive Monitoring

System Thinking

SYS.05

Control system behavior ≠ system behavior. Physical process determines the actual outcome.

Failures often originate outside the control system — in the mechanical, process, or human layer.

When existing tools lack visibility, build the instrumentation layer before attempting diagnosis.

Isolate domains independently. Do not replace components until the root cause is confirmed.

// Failure Path — Fire Ignition RCA

01Compressor — Air source

⚠Air filter — Heavily clogged

↓Pressure drop — Insufficient at ignition phase

✕Burner — Ignition fails