Manickalai Rajan

Director of Engineering

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India20 yrs 9 mos experience
Most Likely To SwitchAI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Expert in building AI-powered fintech platforms.
  • Proven track record in leading engineering teams.
  • Strong background in cloud architecture and SaaS solutions.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech expert with strong capabilities in AI and cloud architecture.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Product Engineering LeadershipCloud & Platform ArchitectureAi & Cognitive TechnologyStartup Building & AdvisoryEngineering ManagementSolution Architecture

Other Skills

SaaSData EngineeringCloud ArchitectureAI-driven personalizationDynamic pricing technologyUser interface developmentSpring FrameworkPython (Programming Language)Cloud OrchestrationDevOpsJavaDocker ProductsElastic Stack (ELK)Full-Stack DevelopmentPeople Management

About

I specialize in building and scaling product engineering teams that deliver AI-powered fintech platforms. With over a decade of hands-on experience across organizations such as IBM, ICICI, TATA AIG, and TATA-AIA, I have successfully led cross-functional engineering teams through complex initiatives — ranging from cloud-native payment systems and SaaS platforms to AI-driven solutions in Forex, remittance, lending, insurance, and digital commerce What I bring to the table: → Product Engineering Leadership — I architect, coach, and grow high-performing teams across UI, Backend, QA, DevOps, and Data Engineering. I've taken products from 0→1 and scaled them through rapid growth. → AI & Cognitive Technology — I integrate AI/ML capabilities into fintech workflows: intelligent underwriting, fraud detection, conversational AI, and predictive analytics that drive real business outcomes. → Cloud & Platform Architecture — Deep expertise across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid cloud environments. I design scalable, resilient platforms built for millions of transactions. → Fintech & Payments Domain — Hands-on experience with payments infrastructure, BNPL, ONDC, and digital lending ecosystems across India's rapidly evolving financial landscape. → Startup Building & Advisory — As Founder of Lemuria and advisor to early-stage startups, I help founding teams make the right technical bets, hire smart, and build engineering culture from day one. My tech stack runs deep: Hybrid Cloud | ONDC | Cognitive technology | SaaS | ELK Stack | Payments | Fintech | Agripreneur | GenAI/LLMs I'm passionate about the intersection of AI and financial services — where intelligent systems meet real-world impact at scale. Always happy to connect with founders and tech folks in fintech or startups—whether you’re scaling engineering teams or exploring how AI can elevate your product. Let’s chat!

Experience

20 yrs 9 mos
Total Experience
3 yrs
Average Tenure
3 yrs 7 mos
Current Experience

Lemuria

Seed Investor

Dec 2022Present · 3 yrs 5 mos · Remote

  • Utilized AI-driven personalization to suggest tailored itineraries and destinations for travelers.
  • Implemented dynamic pricing technology for real-time access to the best deals on flights and hotels.
  • Developed an intuitive user interface for a streamlined booking process on both mobile and web platforms.
AI-driven personalizationDynamic pricing technologyUser interface developmentAI & Cognitive TechnologyStartup Building & Advisory

Stealth startup

Director of Engineering

Oct 2022Present · 3 yrs 7 mos · Greater Chennai Area · On-site

  • Led and mentored a multidisciplinary engineering team to build a SaaS framework application in the Forex, money exchange, and remittance domain.
  • Fostered a collaborative and high-performance engineering culture, driving innovation and accountability across the team.
  • Implemented advanced data engineering strategies to enhance scalability and optimize application performance.
  • Directed architectural decisions and technical roadmaps to align with business goals and market needs.
  • Played a pivotal role in product success, contributing directly to the startup’s growth and market readiness
SaaSData EngineeringCloud ArchitectureProduct Engineering LeadershipCloud & Platform Architecture

Vymo

Engineering Manager

Jun 2021Sep 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India · On-site

  • Leading digitization & standardization of strategic businessinterests, technology, and processes for Insurance SaaS products.
  • Working synergistically with other stakeholders (CEO, CTO,Product, Sales, Marketing, Support, Clients)
Solution ArchitectureSpring FrameworkEngineering Management

M2p fintech

Solutions Architect

Nov 2018May 2021 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India · On-site

Spring FrameworkPython (Programming Language)Solution Architecture

Kadalunavu - chennai's leading online fish market

Seed Investor

Jul 2016Mar 2018 · 1 yr 8 mos · Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India · Remote

  • Spearheaded the launch of India's first e-commerce portal dedicated to export quality seafood, offering a wide range of premium seafood products.
  • Implemented strategic marketing initiatives to increase online visibility and drive sales, resulting in a significant revenue growth for Kadalunavu.
  • Collaborated with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure timely delivery of fresh seafood to customers nationwide.

Ibm

Solution Architect - Hybrid Cloud

Oct 2015Jul 2018 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Greater Chennai Area

  • Worked closely with customers on their Cloud & Digital Strategy with IBM's comprehensive set of offerings on IBM Cloud Orchestration (Private & Public), Mobility (IBM MFP), Video Services offerings, Integration (ICP, IIB, API connect) and Deployment Automation for Cloud (Private & Public), DevOps (IBM UCD)
  • Focused on Enterprise Customers that include all BFSI, Telecom, Travel and Manufacturing accounts in India and Srilanka
  • To observe the team action and then suggest ways to improve the existing processes to reach our goals. Participate in presales phases including RFI, RFP, other customer interactions for technical solutions & assessment
  • Effective and timely communication with team, customers, partners/vendors & stakeholders, Sr. Management and Other Supporting Groups
Cloud OrchestrationDevOpsCloud & Platform Architecture

Gem3s software solutions

Technical Project Manager

Dec 2010Sep 2015 · 4 yrs 9 mos · Greater Chennai Area

  • Deployed Architecture of Mobile Enterprise Application platform (MEAP) and systems
  • Implementing Mobility with MDM (Mobile Device Management and BYOD concepts.
  • Managing multiple Mobile (VAS & MEAP) project lifecycles from business development to final delivery
  • Monitoring and controlling the KPI and SLA for team members
  • Architected and designed a multi-tenant fully configurable SAAS platform for online dispute resolution on the cloud which can be used to serve customers in any industry/domain. Successfully lead the development effort on all fronts - Architecture, Design, UX design, API suite design, Cloud infrastructure management, Security, Performance, Non-functional requirements, QA, Data model design, Team recruitment / Orientation, Learning, Policies / Processes etc. Worked with all stakeholders - CEO, CTO, Product team, Sales, Marketing, Support, Clients etc. Played an instrumental role in the acquisition of the product by a major company

Mts - sistema shyam teleservices ltd

Assistant Manager – IN & VAS

Jan 2009Dec 2010 · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Responsible for proper Operation & Maintenance of IN & VAS (Huawei - IN, CRBT & SMSC) systems, Postpaid (FORIS) and VAS systems
  • New product configuration (prepaid/postpaid tariff, RCV, VAS product, short code, etc...) and end to end testing
  • Software(patch) update all the IN & VAS (Huawei - IN, CRBT & SMSC) systems, Postpaid (FORIS) and VAS systems on time and end to end testing
  • Schedule the Daily Promotion (via OBD & BULK Message) for VAS services, RCV product and offer to Customers
  • Monitoring and controlling the KPI and SLA for team members.
  • End to End management of Installation & Commissioning of IN & VAS (Huawei - IN, CRBT & SMSC) systems.
  • Overall monitoring and technical support during Hardware & Software Installation, Integration, UAT and Launch phases of Postpaid (FORIS), IN, HSD Card & VAS Project.
  • Postpaid, IN & VAS – Planning & Customer complaints management.
  • Co-ordinate with Customer care, Marketing, Sales, Finance, RA and Vendors (for queries and requirements).
  • SPOC for Huawei systems (IN, CRBT and SMSC), Postpaid (FORIS) and VAS systems.
  • Coordinating with all the business team for Change & New Request and maintain the records
  • Good Understanding of Mediation Gateway for IN, HLR, Billing Gateway (CRM), Provisioning, IVR, E-recharge and other external interface (VAS servers).
  • VAS Skill – Good understanding of SMSC, CRBT, MCA, Brew, WAP, E-Topup, Voice portal, Bulk SMS and Etc.

Aircel limited

Software Engineer

Dec 2004Dec 2008 · 4 yrs · Greater Chennai Area

  • Chennai

Education

Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy

Master of Computer Application (M.C.A)

Jan 2003Jan 2005

Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose College, Thiruvarur- 614 001.

B.C.A — Computer Application

Jan 2000Jan 2003

V.S.BOYS'HR.SEC SCHOOL,Thiruvarur - 610 001

School — Mathematics

Jan 1992Jan 2000

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