Ernest Samuel

Ernest Samuel

Engineer | Industrial Automation | Project Management | AI/ML | Operations Analyst
C40 Ishofin Estate, Ewekoro,, 110106, Ogun State, NG.

About

Highly accomplished Engineer with extensive experience in project management, industrial automation, and AI/ML across large-scale infrastructure, actively seeking Project Engineer, Procurement, or Digitalization/IT roles. Proven expertise in overseeing project lifecycles from planning to closeout, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget while ensuring compliance and quality. Leverages strong analytical skills, technical proficiency in SAP and AI tools, and exceptional leadership to drive innovative solutions and optimize operational efficiency.

Work

Lafarge Africa Plc.
|

Automation Engineer

N/A, Ogun State, Nigeria

Summary

Led energy optimization and process control system upgrades for cement mill operations, significantly enhancing efficiency and reliability.

Highlights

Spearheaded energy optimization initiatives, collaborating with the Process Manager to conduct system energy audits and achieve a 5.3% reduction in Specific Electrical Energy Consumption (SEEC).

Coordinated with maintenance planners and engineers via SAP, streamlining preventive maintenance schedules to reduce backlog and improve task completion timelines.

Led execution teams in troubleshooting and upgrading process control systems during weekly maintenance, incorporating key indicators to minimize downtime and increase monthly dispatch targets by 17%.

Analyzed production equipment reliability and provided technical insights using TIS, supporting data-driven decisions for predictive maintenance planning and achieving 91% Net Asset Availability (NAI).

Facilitated safety and project toolbox talks, promoting compliance and continuous improvement during maintenance and system interventions.

Selected as Project Engineer for Process Control System (PCS) upgrade, managing the seamless transition from Allen Bradley PLC to Siemens platforms, enhancing system integration and performance.

Kwame AI
|

Data Preprocessing Engineer (Volunteer)

N/A, N/A, Nigeria

Summary

Developed AI algorithms for safety-compliant data handling and contributed to risk-mitigating strategies in automated decision-making models.

Highlights

Supported the development of AI algorithms for safety-compliant data handling in academic competition systems, emphasizing reliability, transparency, and fairness in evaluation logic.

Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to improve the integrity of science question assessments by applying safe machine learning practices aligned with data ethics and compliance frameworks.

Contributed to risk-mitigating strategies in automated decision-making models, ensuring accuracy in scoring logic and minimizing algorithmic bias.

Facilitated structured testing and validation phases, reinforcing system robustness and fail-safe responses within high-stakes educational settings.

Freelancing and Consulting
|

Founder/Consultant

N/A, N/A, Nigeria

Summary

Led end-to-end solar projects, scaled ventures, developed digital platforms, and provided strategic consulting, driving significant market expansion and operational efficiency.

Highlights

Designed and executed end-to-end solar projects totaling over 100 KVA across 5 Nigerian states, managing system design, contract bidding, procurement, installation, and commissioning for key clients.

Scaled Panakenergy's revenue from zero to over N25M within one year by leading comprehensive business development, strategic partnerships, procurement, sales, and talent acquisition.

Developed and deployed over 6 fully functional websites, including e-commerce platforms with integrated payment/shipping, serving diverse local and international clients.

Consulted on business strategy and launch operations for two ventures (Necherem Automobils and Scolic Spectra), delivering comprehensive business plans and overseeing staff onboarding and operational setup for smooth market entry.

Lafarge Africa Plc.
|

Corporate Industrial Masters Intern

N/A, Ogun State, Nigeria

Summary

Developed an AI-based risk assessment platform and contributed to CAPEX project execution, enhancing operational efficiency and predictive maintenance.

Highlights

Developed and deployed an AI-based risk assessment platform, improving documentation efficiency and reducing risk evaluation time by 30%, directly supporting audit-readiness.

Supported instrumentation reliability and performance, achieving 96% Net Asset Availability (NAI) and meeting Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) objectives through SAP-coordinated preventive maintenance.

Programmed and configured PLCs and SCADA/HMI systems, standardizing data acquisition and improving operational consistency through developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Participated in the execution and commissioning of CAPEX projects, including ABB VSD and Hot Gas Generator (HGG) systems, collaborating with OEMs to ensure seamless delivery and zero faults.

Applied root cause analysis and developed a TinyML model for real-time monitoring of cement mill bearings, enhancing predictive maintenance capabilities.

Managed technical documentation and compliance reporting via TIS, contributing to comprehensive trend analysis and operational transparency.

ICE Commercial Power
|

Operations & Maintenance Engineer

N/A, N/A, Nigeria

Summary

Maintained high uptime for mini-grid power systems, managed solar installations, and led safety investigations, significantly improving operational safety and efficiency.

Highlights

Maintained 95.5% uptime across 10 rural mini-grid power systems by ensuring rapid emergency response and proactive preventive maintenance scheduling.

Managed end-to-end execution of over 12 solar system installations (5-10 KVA) across 3 Nigerian states, overseeing all phases from planning to timely commissioning.

Led investigations into over 12 safety incidents, identifying root causes and deploying corrective actions that reduced recurrence by 45%.

Conducted bi-weekly site safety audits and over 60 equipment inspections, ensuring compliance with internal HSE and regulatory guidelines.

Collaborated with contractors and facilitated monthly safety meetings, promoting a strong risk mitigation culture and improving contractor safety scores by 20%.

Ferotex Construction Company
|

Mechanical Engineer Intern

N/A, N/A, Nigeria

Summary

Assisted in heavy-duty equipment servicing and managed resources, contributing to operational readiness and material waste reduction.

Highlights

Assisted in heavy-duty equipment servicing, contributing to enhanced readiness and reliability during site operations.

Managed resources, including spare parts and fuel usage, reducing material waste by 10% through proactive inventory oversight.

Education

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Zurich, N/A, Switzerland

Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)

Mechatronics Engineering

Grade: 5.34/6

Ashesi University
N/A, N/A, Ghana

Masters of Science (MSc.)

Mechatronics Engineering

Grade: 3.46/4

University of Nigeria Nsukka
Nsukka, N/A, Nigeria

Bachelor of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Grade: 4.18/5

Awards

Graduate Student Award (Most Engaging Student of the Year)

Awarded By

Ashesi University, Ghana

Awarded for exceptional engagement as a graduate student.

Holcim Scholar

Awarded By

HOLCIM Group, Switzerland

Recognized as a scholar by HOLCIM Group.

Languages

English

Certificates

AI Safety and Governance

Issued By

TechForward Impact

Jira for Project Management

Issued By

Coursera Project Certificate

COREN Certified Engineer

Issued By

COREN

Industrial Cyber Security: IT / OT Cyber Security Awareness

Issued By

Holcim

Industrial HSE: Energy Isolation for Everyone

Issued By

Holcim

Industrial Procurement: Introduction to Holcim Procurement

Issued By

Holcim

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst: Network Security Concepts

Issued By

Holcim

AWS Certified Machine Learning; Data Engineering, Machine Learning, & AWS

Issued By

Holcim

General Automation; Automation Design & Robotics

Issued By

Holcim

Industrial HSE: Holcim HSE Rules

Issued By

Holcim

SAP ERP Essential Training; SAP MM SAP FI SAP PM

Issued By

LinkedIn Learn

Corporate Member

Issued By

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)

Technical Sales; The Role Of Sales Engineer

Issued By

LinkedIn Learn

Soft Skills Training

Issued By

Jobberman (Coursera Course)

Energy Transition; Innovation Towards a Low-Carbon Future

Issued By

IFP School-College, France

Solar Engineer Trainee

Issued By

Energy Talent Company

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate

Issued By

Nigeria

The COSHH Risk Assessor Certification

Issued By

The Knights Of Safety Academy

Skills

Technical Skills

Project Execution Planning, Construction Site Safety, Contract & Procurement Support, Cost Estimation and Budgeting, Systems Completion and Startup Operations, Engineering Design Coordination, Quality Assurance and Control, SSHE Compliance, Materials Management, Project Scheduling and Controls, Automation & Process Control, Predictive Maintenance, Root Cause Analysis, Business Intelligence.

Software Proficiency

Automation & Process Control, TIA Portal, Ladder Logic, SCADA Systems, SAP (PM, FI, MM Modules), GitHub, LaTeX, TIS, Python, CSS, HTML, Matlab, Generative AI Tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Make, Jotform AI Agent, Napkin AI, NotebookLM), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), AutoCAD, NX, SolidWorks, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6.

Soft Skills

Stakeholder Coordination, Cross-functional Collaboration, Verbal and Written Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem-solving, Decision-making, Adaptability, Team Leadership, Attention to Detail, Proactive Issue Resolution, Results-oriented Mindset, Leadership, Strategic Problem Solving, Effective Communication.