PhD in Engineering Science — Computer Science
KU Leuven (IMEC-Distrinet), Belgium • 2022
Engineering • Delivery • Research
Hello, I’m Absar
PhDSenior EngineerIoT & ConnectivityDevOpsSoftware / Release EngineeringTest AutomationLPWANRF & Networks
Senior Engineer with a PhD in Engineering Science from KU Leuven, experienced in DevOps, CI/CD, infrastructure, test automation, release engineering, and validation platforms for complex communication systems. Skilled in building reliable engineering environments, automating workflows, and improving platform reliability, scalability, and delivery efficiency. Background spans satellite communications, IoT connectivity, RF networks, LPWAN, Linux infrastructure, and quality-driven system validation, with a strong focus on communication systems, infrastructure reliability, and critical connectivity.
📍 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
- Expanded responsibility across infrastructure, CI/CD, DevOps, automation, release engineering, and test platform engineering.
- Manage on-premises and cloud-based engineering environments used for product validation, system integration, and automated testing.
- Lead and maintain key validation platforms, including Empirical Virtual Test Network and CIDI Super Cluster, ensuring stability, scalability, operational readiness, and efficient test execution.
- Build, improve, and maintain automation frameworks integrated with CI/CD systems to streamline testing, validation, and release workflows.
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.
