Waheed Syed

Senior Automation Engineer @Novo Nordisk

Raleigh, NC, US

Engineer responsible for the IT/OT integration for a $70M greenfield warehouse automation project (AGVs, AS/RS sortation, material lifts, conveyors), ensuring secure, compliant system delivery on schedule and within budget.Acted as lead engineer ensuring Warehouse Control System (WCS) design aligned with site requirements and business processes, preventing costly redesigns and enabling on-time go-live.Segmented the OT pharmaceutical warehouse manufacturing network in alignment with the Purdue Model, reducing lateral movement risks and improving audit readiness for ISA/IEC 62443 and NIS2 compliance.Support engineer for aseptic production depalletizing robot integrating Siemens PLCs and WinCC SCADA, ensuring reliable material handling in compliance with GMP and aseptic requirements.Applied deep knowledge of WCS interactions with SAP EWM and automation equipment (AGVs, conveyors, lifts), optimizing data flow and potentially reducing material handling errors by ~20%.Reviewed and approved design documents, power/network layouts, and sensor retention strategies, avoiding $250K in redesign costs and improving system reliability.Oversaw design packages, functional specifications, and interface agreements, catching errors early and saving $100K+ in rework costs.Performed IT Risk Assessments (ITRAs) on automation devices, identifying 90% of potential high-risk exposures and applying tailored security controls without impacting business continuity.Executed PRE-FAT testing of security access controls, port mappings, user groups, and PLC/HMI/robot logic, eliminating 25% of commissioning defects and reducing post-installation downtime.Led stakeholder meetings bridging IT security, business units, vendors, and OT teams, aligning priorities and resolving 95% of conflicts before escalation.Secured integrity of GxP data by applying IT risk management frameworks and enforcing validated controls, ensuring 100% compliance in FDA and internal audits.