Headline

Principal Engineer – AI-Driven Interactive Systems | Gameplay AI, Personalization, DDA | LLMs, Decision Intelligence, Real-Time Systems | DBA (AI/ML)

About

Engineering leader with 14+ years of experience designing scalable software platforms, intelligent systems, and real-time decision architectures. My work focuses on building machine learning–driven systems that power adaptive and personalized user experiences at scale. I have led the development of behavioral analytics platforms, reinforcement learning optimization systems, and large-scale data pipelines supporting data-driven product decisions. Key areas of focus: • Machine learning–driven personalization • Reinforcement learning for adaptive systems • Behavioral analytics and churn prediction • Real-time decision systems • Intelligent product architectures Currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, complementing a Master’s in Data Science. My research interests include enterprise AI adoption, intelligent systems, and AI governance. I am particularly interested in building AI systems that create measurable business impact by combining engineering depth with applied machine learning.

Location

Bengaluru

AI stack

claude code

gemini

hugging face

ollama

ChatGPT

Google ADK

Work experience

Principal Engineer – AI & Gameplay Systems at Zynga, Dec 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos, India, • Lead a cross-functional engineering team developing scalable intelligent systems and gameplay platforms. • Architect data-driven personalization systems integrating behavioral analytics and machine learning insights. • Drive adoption of generative AI tools and automation frameworks to accelerate engineering productivity.

Engineering Manager at Gameberry Labs, Aug 2024 - Dec 2024 · 5 mos, On-site

Principal Engineer – AI & Gameplay Systems at Zynga, Jan 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr 8 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Lead Developer at Games24x7, Sep 2020 - Jan 2023 · 2 yrs 5 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, • Built reusable deterministic engine used for various grid-based games like traditional Match3, Bubble shooter, Tap, Merge, etc. • Used PseudoCode Randomizer to develop Custom Randomiser to achieve deterministic behavior in the engine • Introduced Input Simulation - Engine (deterministic) so player's touch input can be recorded, replayed with same output always • Developing and designing reusable, modular, parameterized systems architectures • Developing, debugging, maintaining, and optimizing game’s engine and related tools used for the game’s development • Sharing technical solutions, innovating and improving quality of implementation, performance, and usability • Creating process for each new project - Git flow, branching strategy, cloud build set-up, and guidelines for PR review • Articulating and translating Agile roadmap into team specific release planning and sprint planning and ensuring continuous deployment & improvements

Module Lead Game Developer at Nukebox Studios, Oct 2018 - Aug 2020 · 1 yr 11 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, • Ensured timely releases and building more reusable and scalable systems across 2 different projects and acknowledged for the same • Directed a team of 5 Junior developers to develop and manage complete process from implementation to code review • Headed team of all freshers and released a title with Match 3 core and Meta story tied to it • Created a scalable Meta system to reduce timelines by 75%

Education

Doctor of Business Administration, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Walsh College

Master's degree, Data Science, Deakin University

Public links

github: https://github.com/SanthaRaoSimhadri