Faaiz Shah, PhD

Lead Data Scientist & AI/ML Architect

Building production ML systems for cybersecurity & business impact

Montpellier, France

Professional Summary

Data Science and ML Engineering leader with 16+ years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity, including 6+ years of specialized AI/ML experience post-PhD. Expert in building production ML systems for threat detection, with proven success in reducing operational costs and improving system performance. Neo4j Certified Professional skilled in graph-based solutions and leading cross-functional teams to translate complex technical solutions into business value.

Technical Competencies

  • AI & ML: Deep Learning, NLP, Behavioral Analytics, Anomaly Detection, Time Series, MLOps, Real-time Inference
  • Data Engineering: Spark, Kafka, Airflow, MLFlow, Real-time Data Processing, Distributed Systems
  • Technologies: Python, Scala, AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Neo4j, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch
  • Cybersecurity: Penetration Testing, SIEM/SOC, Threat Intelligence, Security Architecture
  • Leadership: Team Management, Technical Mentoring, Agile/Scrum, Stakeholder Communication

Professional Experience

Lead Data Science & Engineering Aug 2024 – Jul 2025 · BforeAI, France
  • Architected platform improvements achieving faster API response times and ensuring uptime
  • Implemented advanced indexing strategies to handle 2x peak traffic loads
  • Deployed custom LLM solutions for automated security threat analysis and classification
  • Led a team of 4 engineers developing predictive security features
Manager, Artificial Intelligence Sep 2022 – Jul 2024 · Pradeo Security Systems, France
  • Built ML platform detecting malicious mobile apps with 92% accuracy, protecting 1M+ devices
  • Reduced model training time by 50% using Apache Spark
  • Created AI-powered document analysis system processing thousands of reports monthly
  • Led team of 2, delivering features ahead of schedule
Data Scientist Aug 2019 – Sep 2022 · Pradeo Security Systems, France
  • Designed streaming ML pipeline using Kubernetes and Kafka
  • Turned academic ML concepts into production-ready threat detection systems
  • Built REST APIs for seamless ML model integration
Senior Systems Engineer Sep 2009 – Dec 2016 · Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd, Pakistan
  • Enforced access control and implemented two-factor authentication for ERP and Oracle CC&B
  • Optimized application performance by 40% using F5 load balancing
  • Led security operations for 5,000+ users; implemented Blue Coat ProxySG
  • Conducted regular penetration tests and remediations
Information Security Engineer Mar 2007 – Aug 2009 · Uffaq Technologies, Pakistan
  • Administered Cisco’s StealthWatch and eEye Digital Security solutions
  • Implemented open-source IDS/IPS tools (Snort, etc.)
  • Conducted ethical hacking with Metasploit, Nessus, Wireshark, Nmap
Systems Engineer Oct 2004 – Nov 2005 · NADRA, Pakistan
  • Provided real-time technical support and LAN troubleshooting
  • Maintained 99% uptime for identity verification system

Teaching Activities

Visiting Faculty Jan 2024 – Present · Polytech Montpellier, France
  • Distributed Data Processing and Machine Learning (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
  • NoSQL Graph Databases (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
Visiting Faculty Oct 2024 – Present · EPF Engineering School, Troyes, France
  • Digital Innovation with AI (Fall 2024)
  • AI and Big Data in Industry 4.0 (Fall 2024)

Education

PhD in Computer Science (Data Mining) 2017 – 2019 · Université de Montpellier / LIRMM, France
MS, Information Technology (MS-IT) 2006 – 2007 · National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan
CGPA: 3.21/4
BE, Engineering 1999 – 2003 · N.E.D University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
1st Division (69%)

Open Source & Blogs

Certifications & More

  • Neo4j Certified Professional (Verify) — July 2025
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (Verify) — Oct 2015
  • Certified Penetration Testing Professional (CPTP) (Tranchulas / Certificate)
  • How to Manage a Remote Team (Coursera) — Jan 2025
Languages: English (Fluent), French (Professional)
Interests: ML Research, Open Source, Technical Mentoring, Badminton