Doctorate of Engineering (PhD) — Computer Science
KU Leuven (IMEC-Distrinet), Belgium • 2022
Engineering • Delivery • Research
Hello, I’m Absar
Dr. Ir. — PhDSenior EngineerIoT & ConnectivityDevOpsSoftware / Release EngineeringTest AutomationLPWANRF & Networks
Senior Engineer with a PhD in Engineering Science from KU Leuven, combining expertise in infrastructure, DevOps, CI/CD, test automation, and IoT connectivity. Experienced in managing on-prem and cloud-based environments, building reliable validation platforms, and improving engineering efficiency through automation and system optimization. Strong background in release engineering, RF networks, and quality-driven platform delivery.
📍 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium🌐 English · Dutch (basic)✉ ahr@absar.eu
Skills
Python • C/C++ • RubyDevOps (Jenkins, Ansible, CI/CD)AWS • DockerKubernetes / OpenShiftLinux • Windows • macOSInfrastructure • System AdministrationCloud & On-Prem EnvironmentsVirtualization
Education
MSc Electronics & IT Engineering
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium • 2015
Communication Networks & Nano Electronics
BSc Telecommunication Engineering
Foundation University Islamabad, Pakistan • 2011
Selected Experience
ST Engineering iDirect, Belgium
Jul 2022 — Present
Senior Engineer, QRE–DevOps | May 2024 – Present
Quality Release Engineer | Jul 2022 – May 2024
- Promoted to Senior Engineer, QRE–DevOps with expanded responsibility across infrastructure, CI/CD, DevOps, automation, and test platform engineering.
- Manage on-premises and cloud-based environments used for product validation, system integration, and automated testing.
- Lead key validation platforms, including the Empirical Virtual Test Network and CIDI Super Cluster, ensuring scalability, stability, and operational readiness.
- Support infrastructure lifecycle activities including setup, configuration, administration, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
IMEC-DISTRINET RESEARCH GROUP, KU LEUVEN, BELGIUM
Aug 2018 - Jan 2023
TEACHING ASSISTANT
- Assisted in teaching courses including Computer Networks, Capita-Selecta Distributed Systems, Object-Oriented Programming, Internet Infrastructure, and Software Design.
- Prepared and graded lab work, ensuring students met course objectives.
- Supervised master's theses, including:
Research & Publications
- ReSoNate: A Protocol for Audio Transmission over Low Power Wide Area Networks
- Smart-Hop: Fast and Reliable Multi-hop Networking for LoRa
- Design of a Robust MAC Protocol for LoRa
- EH-CRAM: A Sustainable Energy Harvesting Algorithm for LPWANs
- CRAM: Robust Medium Access Control for LPWAN using Cryptographic Frequency Hopping
View the full list on LinkedIn.
Let’s talk
Interested in thoughtful, collaborative projects? I’m happy to connect and share more details on LinkedIn.
