VIGNESH MEENAKSHISUNDARAM
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - DATA ENGINEERING / AIML
Chennai
Summary
Strategic data and technology leader with 20+ years of experience delivering enterprise cloud, data, and AI/ML platforms across multiple industries. Currently leads data initiatives in a technology services firm, overseeing multi-project delivery and customer success. Drives large-scale cloud migrations and ELT transformations, develops automation accelerators, and creates actionable data and AI roadmaps to meet complex business needs.
Overview
4
4
Certifications
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director
Cloud Destinations
07.2025 - Current
- Guides the full scope of data tower delivery, advancing pre-sales client interactions, and fostering capability growth.
- Facilitate pre-sales efforts for 40+ RFPs, accounting for over $5 million in pipeline, focusing on healthcare estimation strategies.
- Develop offshore customer relationships, resulting in 100% retention and facilitating 20+ new business extensions, amounting to over $500,000.
- Managed over 40 leads and architects to drive project success. Executed upskilling plan, resulting in 30 certifications within 8 months. Advanced 20 team members to second-tier enablement through targeted training initiatives.
- Created three reusable accelerators: AI-enhanced schedule shaper, automated ingestion pipeline, dynamic Power BI dashboards, and two further initiatives in inception.
- Oversaw cross-functional teams in designing and implementing cloud-based solutions that enhance client satisfaction.
- Enhanced operational procedures to boost the efficiency of project delivery timelines.
- Accelerated operational processes are improving efficiency throughout project delivery timelines.
Technical Data Product Manager
PayPal
04.2022 - 07.2025
- Delivered over 20 customer-facing data engineering projects, enhancing automation for checkout processes. Collaborated with more than 100 engineers to achieve $10 million in impact, with precise execution. Managed integration of BNPL donations and PayPal ads into project frameworks with 100% accuracy.
- Engineered Python and Power BI solutions for reporting automation, achieving 30+ strategic KPIs, while ensuring 100% accuracy.
- Executed the migration of PayPal's core financial system from on-premise to GCP, maintaining architectural integrity and compliance with MDM standards and validations.
- Coordinated efforts of cross-functional teams to create and implement new product features that enhance user experience.
- Executed production defect remediation, leveraging AI automation and predictive cleanup for over 10 years of data, resulting in a reduction of over 300 defects and more than $40 million in exposure.
- Evaluated market trends to guide product strategy, and prioritize feature development initiatives.
Technical Data Delivery Manager
Capgemini
02.2019 - 03.2022
- Spearheaded end-to-end guidewire implementation for multiple global insurance clients, generating over $10 million in revenue.
- Delivered AI/ML-enhanced DevOps and IT optimization initiatives for tier-one insurers, resulting in $8 million in savings.
- Designed SAP Xcelsius dashboards and optimized workflows, resulting in 70% faster reporting time.
- Led a program of 60+ members facilitating an automation-first, shift-left testing approach in CI/CD to accomplish a 60% decrease in effort and uphold 100% retention.
Test Manager
Cognizant
07.2005 - 01.2019
- Progressed from automation tester (Selenium, HP UFT) to Test Program Manager over 14 years in insurance; led the Guidewire program with 130+ FTEs, delivering over $10M while achieving over 60% savings and 100% retention.
- Partnered with the U.S. Business stakeholders oversee offshore engineering for 20+ projects, utilizing 50+ resources.
Education
Postgraduate Program - AI & Machine Learning
Texas McCombs (UT Austin) & Great Lakes
Austin Texas09-2021
Master of Computer Applications - Computer Engineering
University of Madras
Chennai, India 04.2001 -
B.Sc. - Physics
Loyola College
Chennai, India04-2005
Skills
Data cloud strategy
Cloud transformation
AI/ML solutions
Data engineering
Data governance
Program management
Product roadmap
Pre-sales solutions
Resource management
Project coordination
Stakeholder management
Strategic leadership
Analytical thinking
Team Leadership
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP) — PMI
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Wow Bravo Award (2022, 2023, 2024) — PayPal, Customer Delight Award (2020, 2021) — Capgemini, Award of Excellence (2014, 2016) — Cognizant, Global Project of the Year, Runner-Up (2007, 2016) — Cognizant
Accomplishments
- Co-creator of a multi-level CNN network for facial feature recognition as part of AI/ML academic research.
- Built a Python-based ML solution assessing the comorbidity impact of COVID-19, featured in an IEEE paper publication.
- Migrated PayPal's core financial system from on-premise to GCP, delivering 45% efficiency and cost savings.
- Reduced 300+ production defects and $40M+ in financial exposure through AI-driven, predictive cleanup automation.
Timeline
Associate Director
Cloud Destinations
07.2025 - Current
Technical Data Product Manager
PayPal
04.2022 - 07.2025
Technical Data Delivery Manager
Capgemini
02.2019 - 03.2022
Test Manager
Cognizant
07.2005 - 01.2019
Master of Computer Applications - Computer Engineering
University of Madras
04.2001 -
Postgraduate Program - AI & Machine Learning
Texas McCombs (UT Austin) & Great Lakes
B.Sc. - Physics
Loyola College