Mohammed Saleem

A Chemical Engineer with hands-on experience across refinery operations, process optimisation, and process safety. My background spans plant operations in a live refinery environment, quality engineering in a manufacturing setting, and research in bioprocessing, giving me a broad technical foundation that I apply wherever I work. At KAR Group 5 Refinery in Iraq, I operated DCS systems, led process troubleshooting initiatives that cut unplanned shutdowns by 15%, and delivered an 8% improvement in unit efficiency.

I've participated in HAZOP studies, supported commissioning activities, and developed SOPs that embed operational consistency. My research background adds a layer of analytical rigour: working at Budapest University of Technology, I optimised fermentation and reaction conditions to increase biodiesel process yield by 18%. I'm technically strong in Aspen HYSYS, DCS operations, and process simulation, and hold a relevant safety qualification.

I'm based in London but open to relocation and actively looking for opportunities in the energy sector, particularly within refinery or process engineering environments.

Quality Engineer - Segment Pro Ltd - London, United Kingdom

(2024-10 - 2026-02)

I joined Segment Pro to support quality operations within a manufacturing environment. My focus was on identifying the root causes of production defects and putting fixes in place that actually held, rather than patching problems as they arose. I worked closely with the production team to monitor process performance, tighten inspection controls, and support the business in maintaining its compliance posture under ISO 9001 and HSE standards.

• Reduced Production Defects Through Root Cause Analysis: Investigated recurring defect patterns across the production line and implemented corrective and preventive actions, resulting in measurable reductions in defect rates.
• Improved Inspection Efficiency Through Process Optimisation: Redesigned quality control workflows to remove bottlenecks, making inspections faster and more consistent without compromising standards.
• Maintained ISO 9001 and HSE Compliance: Monitored manufacturing processes against regulatory and quality standards, identifying deviations early and ensuring the site remained audit ready.
• Supported Waste Reduction Initiatives: Contributed to continuous improvement projects aimed at reducing material waste and improving overall product quality through systematic process review.

Data Analyst (Commercial & Operational Insights) - Humberstone Leicester Ltd - Leicester, United Kingdom

(2023-01 - 2024-10)

In this role, I used data to help the business make better operational and commercial decisions. I built dashboards, prepared performance reports, and dug into operational datasets to surface trends that weren't always visible at a surface level. The work required me to communicate findings clearly to stakeholders who weren't always technical, so I focused on making outputs accessible and actionable.

• Developed Dashboards and Performance Reports: Built reporting tools that gave the business a clearer picture of operational trends and commercial performance, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.
• Applied Data Analysis to Improve Operational Efficiency: Analysed operational datasets to pinpoint inefficiencies and recommend targeted improvements, directly supporting performance optimisation efforts.
• Supported Strategic Planning Through Data-Driven Insights: Contributed to business planning discussions by translating complex data into clear, structured reports that informed commercial strategy.

Process Engineer - KAR Group 5 Refinery - Kurdistan Region, Iraq

(2020-12 - 2022-03)

This was my core process engineering role, working in an active refinery environment responsible for crude oil processing operations. I operated DCS systems in the control room, supported day-to-day plant operations, and played an active part in safety and continuous improvement programmes. I contributed to HAZOP studies, supported a new unit's commissioning, and worked on process optimisation initiatives that delivered tangible efficiency gains.

• Improved Unit Efficiency by 8%: Identified process inefficiencies through systematic performance monitoring and implemented targeted optimisation strategies, achieving an 8% improvement in unit efficiency.
• Reduced Unplanned Shutdowns by 15%: Applied proactive process troubleshooting and root cause analysis techniques to address recurring failure modes before they escalated, cutting unplanned shutdowns by 15%.
• Operated DCS for Safe Crude Oil Processing: Controlled refinery plant operations via Distributed Control Systems, ensuring safe, stable, and efficient crude oil processing within defined operating parameters.
• Optimised Catalyst Performance: Monitored and adjusted catalyst usage to extend lifecycle by 10%, reducing operational costs while maintaining process output targets.
• Participated in HAZOP Studies and Risk Assessments: Contributed to formal hazard identification and risk assessment exercises, helping to strengthen plant safety and operational reliability.
• Supported Commissioning of a New Process Unit: Provided hands-on support during the commissioning and start-up of a new unit, ensuring it met operational readiness criteria before handover.
• Developed and Updated Standard Operating Procedures: Authored and revised SOPs to reflect current best practices, supporting operational consistency and knowledge transfer across the team.
• Contributed to 500+ Days Incident-Free Operations: Maintained strict adherence to HSE regulations and process safety standards, contributing to a sustained period of incident-free plant operation.

Research Assistant, Bio-organic Chemistry Group - Budapest University of Technology and Economics - Budapest, Hungary

(2019-02 - 2020-12)

As part of the Bio-organic Chemistry Group, I worked on applied research into enzyme immobilisation for biodiesel production. The role involved designing and running experiments, analysing results using GC and NMR techniques, and developing MATLAB models to predict enzyme activity. It was a technically demanding environment that sharpened my analytical thinking and my ability to work methodically through complex problems.

• Increased Biodiesel Process Yield by 18%: Optimised fermentation and reaction conditions through systematic experimental design, achieving an 18% improvement in process yield.
• Developed MATLAB Models for Process Simulation: Built predictive models in MATLAB to simulate enzyme activity and support process optimisation decision-making.
• Conducted Laboratory Analysis Using GC and NMR: Performed analytical chemistry work using Gas Chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques to characterise process outputs and support research conclusions.
• Maintained Laboratory Safety and Compliance: Ensured all chemical handling and experimental procedures adhered to safety protocols and regulatory requirements throughout the research programme.
• Contributed to Technical Reports and Research Publications: Prepared structured technical reports and contributed to research output, supporting the group's academic and applied research goals.

BSc (Hons) - Chemical Engineering - Budapest University of Technology and Economics