Ben Hutcheson​

Software Developer & Control Systems Engineer​

Profiles​

LinkedIn​

GitHub​

Stack Overflow​

Email​

ben.hutche@gmail.com​

hutcheb@iscito.com (Available on MS Teams)​

Professional Summary​

I'm a Software Developer with strong Control Systems Engineering foundations and 15+ years of experience bridging the gap between industrial automation and modern software development. With a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sydney, I've built a diverse skill set that spans industrial protocols, cloud technologies, and software engineering practices.

Technical Skills​

Software Development​

• Languages: Python, Java, C, SQL
• Tools & Frameworks: Git, CI/CD (TeamCity, GitHub Actions), JIRA
• Database Systems: Neo4j, InfluxDB, MS SQL Server
• Infrastructure: Docker, VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox
• Data Processing: Kafka, Azure Event Hubs, MQTT, RabbitMQ

Industrial Systems​

• Protocols: OPC-UA, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus
• PLC Platforms: Schneider Modicon, Siemens, Rockwell, Emerson/GE, Beckhoff
• SCADA/HMI: Ignition, CitectSCADA, Experion PKS, GE Cimplicity, Proficy Historian

Featured Projects​

Apache PLC4X - Open Source Contributor & PMC Member​

As a Project Management Committee member for Apache PLC4X since 2020, I've made significant contributions to this industrial connectivity library:

• Implemented a complete OPC-UA driver from scratch within the PLC4X framework
• Developed Java PROFINET implementation with GSDML parser and LLDP discovery
• Created Python API with a pluggable interface and Modbus implementation
• Implemented Schneider UMAS protocol driver, extending the standard Modbus capabilities with Schneider-specific functionality for Modicon PLCs
• Built Kafka Connectors for industrial data integration, working directly with Confluent

PLC Language Converter​

Developed a Python-based converter that transforms Schneider Function Block Diagram to Rockwell ControlLogix Ladder Logic:

• Refactored the architecture to separate import, export, and processing responsibilities
• Implemented graph database backend (Neo4j) for complex network operations
• Created comprehensive testing framework for regression prevention

Industrial Process Simulation System​

Developed a custom process simulation system for PLC subsystem testing:

• Implemented realistic PID controller testing with custom process models
• Created data visualization with Grafana and time-series storage with InfluxDB
• Used Python to implement core process algorithms

Real-time Industrial Analytics Platform​

Built a complete analytics solution for a calcium carbonate processing plant:

• Designed real-time data pipeline using Kafka for streaming
• Implemented data aggregation functions and MS SQL storage
• Created visualization dashboards with Power BI
• Developed a computer vision-based flotation foam tracking system using Python and OpenCV to replace the existing Metso system
  • Designed image processing algorithms to accurately detect foam characteristics
  • Implemented real-time analysis for process optimization
  • Integrated with the plant control system for automated process adjustments

Professional Experience Highlights​

My career path has taken me through various industries including aerospace, oil & gas, mining, and manufacturing across Australia, USA, Canada, and Germany. Throughout these experiences, I've consistently focused on creating robust software solutions for industrial challenges.

At Alliance Automation and Isar Aerospace, I've provided consulting services and engineering support for control systems while developing custom software solutions. At Omya and Honeywell/Matrikon, I led projects implementing modern software architectures in industrial settings, including virtualization, streaming data platforms, and computer vision applications.

Personal Projects & Interests​

I'm passionate about integrating streaming platforms (Kafka, MQTT) with industrial systems to enable advanced solutions in preventative maintenance, reporting, and distributed computing. I enjoy exploring new technologies and finding innovative ways to apply software development principles to industrial automation challenges.

I'm always looking for opportunities to grow my skill set and collaborate on interesting projects. If you have questions or opportunities at the intersection of software development and industrial systems, please feel free to reach out!

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