Praveen Kumar Balaraj
Data and AI Expert
Kaiserslautern
Summary
Data & AI Expert | Driving Strategic Innovation with Scalable ML & Product-Led AI Solutions
Results-driven AI & Data Expert with expertise in delivering impactful ML products and driving digital transformation in enterprise IT environments. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, aligning AI initiatives with business goals, and owning the full product lifecycle from ideation and stakeholder engagement to agile execution and go-live.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Data and AI Expert
Bechtle AG
Neckarslum
03.2023 - Current
- Led the implementation of LLM-powered IT ticket classification using transformer models, streamlining ServiceNow ticket routing and resolution.
- Designed and deployed a multi-label classification model to predict ticket category, assignment group, and sub-category—reducing manual triage.
- Developed and integrated AI Based ticket routing for BPoS (Bechtle Point of Service) an ITSM systems, ensuring seamless adoption with minimal disruption.
- Delivered full-cycle AI solutions—from data engineering to production deployment—achieving model accuracy over 90% and enterprise-grade scalability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align ML initiatives with business goals, accelerating digital transformation in enterprise IT.
- Reduced model inference latency by over 50% via ONNX optimization and parallel execution on Azure Machine Learning.
- Leveraged Databricks for scalable model training and ETL pipelines, enabling real-time processing of high-volume ticketing data.
Product Analyst
Mobotix AG
07.2021 - 03.2023
- Developed and deployed AI models for number plate recognition and crowd monitoring using computer vision techniques, enhancing surveillance capabilities of IoT-enabled smart cameras.
- Led the agile transformation of the development team by introducing sprint ceremonies, backlog grooming, and iterative delivery practices.
- Designed and implemented a robust Page Object Model (POM) framework for mobile test automation using Appium and Robot Framework, improving test reusability and speed.
- Conducted user research and translated insights into prioritized product features, ensuring a user-centric design approach.
- Performed competitive analysis and market research to guide product roadmap and maintain a competitive edge in the smart surveillance space.
- Coordinated deliverables across engineering, QA, and product teams, aligning timelines and ensuring on-schedule, cross-functional execution.
Product Analyst Intern - Digital Supply Chain Solutions
Arvato Systems GmbH
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Project: Platbricks Cognitive Bot Platform
- Spearheaded the development, requirements, analysis, implementation for the new project design
- Designed and implemented functional and regression tests to ensure improved product quality
- Created automation test framework and deployed to a Azure pipeline
- Transitioned software development efforts to a test-driven development (TDD) process
Product Manager Intern
VisioLab
03.2020 - 08.2020
- Project: Automated Food Checkout with AI Powered Computer Vision Platform
- Managed cross-functional team and stakeholder communication, and oversaw product development from inception to implementation
- Implemented MLflow platform for Machine Learning life cycle in GCP Compute Engine
- Integrating the Intercard payment terminal API for the food checkout app using Python flask framework
- Managing the product Backlog and actively involved in Sprint Planning, Grooming and Sprint Retrospectives
Software Engineer
Synchronoss Technologies
03.2014 - 09.2018
- Project #1: Verizon Personal Cloud
- I was part of product development team, responsible for Quality related activities for the whole product
- Creating Hive scripts and fetching Hadoop logs for Analytics
- Data base testing and creating SQL queries
Education
Master of Science - Computer Science
University of Siegen
Siegen 09.2018 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Engineering - Telecommunication
Visvesvaraya Technological University
Bangalore 08.2009 - 06.2013
Skills
Programming & Scripting: Python, Java
Machine Learning & AI: NLP, Deep Learning, Predictive Analytics, LLMs (Large Language Models), AI-driven Automation
Frameworks & Libraries: PyTorch, TensorFlow, NLP Transformers (BERT, GPT, T5)
Big Data & Databases: SQL (MySQL, Oracle), Hadoop, Hive
Cloud & Data Engineering: Microsoft Azure, Azure Databricks
Agile & Project Management: Agile Methodologies, SCRUM, Stakeholder Management
Development & Collaboration Tools: JIRA, Confluence, Azure DevOps (ADOS)
Industry Expertise: B2B E-commerce, IT Service Management, AI-driven Process Optimization
Additional Information
- I was involved in organizing many activities to promote education.
- Learnt about organizational management, team work, leadership and obtain experience and knowledge that cannot be learned through books and classroom study alone.
Timeline
Data and AI Expert
Bechtle AG
03.2023 - Current
Product Analyst
Mobotix AG
07.2021 - 03.2023
Product Analyst Intern - Digital Supply Chain Solutions
Arvato Systems GmbH
01.2021 - 06.2021
Product Manager Intern
VisioLab
03.2020 - 08.2020
Master of Science - Computer Science
University of Siegen
09.2018 - 01.2021
Software Engineer
Synchronoss Technologies
03.2014 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Engineering - Telecommunication
Visvesvaraya Technological University
08.2009 - 06.2013