Akberali Engineer

AI-first Talent Architect and Product Builder with 14+ years of experience scaling global hiring systems and advising C-suite leaders across 15+ countries. Currently building Guidera.ai, an AI-powered career intelligence platform, applying product thinking to solve fragmented job search workflows. Track record of scaling talent functions, building global sourcing engines, and designing AI-powered recruiting systems using Claude and Gemini APIs.

Operates at the intersection of Talent, Product, and AI to drive business outcomes. Seeking to partner with product-first, AI-native organizations where talent is treated as a strategic lever.

Founder / Builder at Guidera.ai (2024-01 – Present)

Building an AI-powered career intelligence platform to unify job search workflows including job discovery, resume optimization, interview preparation, and tracking. Built and deployed the product end-to-end using modern AI and full-stack tooling.

• Building an AI-powered career intelligence platform to unify job search workflows including job discovery, resume optimization, interview preparation, and tracking
• Built and deployed the product end-to-end using modern AI and full-stack tooling, including Claude/Gemini APIs, Supabase, Vercel, and Render, leveraging rapid "vibe coding" to accelerate iteration cycles
• Built core product capabilities including AI resume optimization, role-to-profile matching, structured knowledge base, and user analytics dashboard
• Conducted early-stage user testing with real candidates to refine product direction and experience
• Applying product-first thinking to talent acquisition, treating candidates as users and job search as a system problem
• Operating as a 0–1 builder across product, engineering, and go-to-market experimentation

Global Talent Advisory & AI-First Talent Architect at Thoughtworks (2018-01 – Present)

Advised C-suite and regional leaders on P&L-aligned workforce strategy, delivered talent intelligence for global expansion, and led talent due diligence for acquisitions. Transformed global executive hiring and built AI-driven recruiting systems.

• Advised C-suite and regional leaders across Technology, GTM, Finance, and Marketing on P&L-aligned workforce strategy
• Delivered talent intelligence supporting expansion across Vietnam, Peru, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, and Canada
• Led talent due diligence for four global acquisitions including Fourkind, Gemini, Connected, and Itoc
• Built real-time market intelligence dashboards using LinkedIn Talent Insights and Sisense
• Transformation Centralized global executive hiring, replacing fragmented regional models with a unified advisory framework
• Led senior hiring across Marketing, Finance, Rewards, and GTM leadership roles
• Designed structured hiring frameworks covering intake, interview design, stakeholder alignment, and offer strategy
• Scaled sourcing team from 3 to 18 members, building a high-performance outbound engine
• Increased outbound hiring contribution from 4% to 40%, significantly reducing vendor dependency
• Standardized sourcing practices across 15+ countries with varying hiring processes
• Introduced Agile sourcing sprints with measurable productivity metrics
• Built AI-driven recruiting systems using Claude and Gemini APIs to reduce recruiter research time and improve decision-making
• Developed a conversational AI assistant integrating Greenhouse and Google Suite for real-time talent intelligence access
• Reduced recruiter workflow friction by embedding AI into hiring processes
• Led adoption of tools such as Prelude, GoodTime, and BrightHire, saving approximately 30 minutes per interview across 1,000 weekly interviews
• Designed modular AI solutions to support sourcing, executive hiring, and contract hiring workflows
• Co-led transformation from country-based recruiting structures to a unified global operating model
• Designed and delivered Talent Advisory workshops focused on stakeholder management, outbound strategy, and data-driven hiring
• Built and scaled the JOI (Joy of Interviewing) framework across multiple functions
• Standardized structured interviewing aligned with organizational capability frameworks

Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Analytics & Consulting Hiring at ZS Associates (2016-01 – 2018-12)

Hired 25 analytics and consulting professionals within three months through structured outbound campaigns. Built targeted talent pipelines and designed mass-personalized outreach strategies.

• Hired 25 analytics and consulting professionals within three months through structured outbound campaigns
• Built targeted talent pipelines across Tier-1 institutions and competitor organizations
• Designed mass-personalized outreach strategies with structured tracking and improved conversion rates
• Presented sourcing innovation strategies at SourceCon, Budapest

Senior Sourcing Specialist – BFSI & APAC Markets at Capgemini (2013-01 – 2016-12)

Led sourcing across BFSI technology roles and supported hiring across multiple Asian markets. Developed advanced sourcing methodologies and was a recognized speaker on ethical candidate intelligence.

• Led sourcing across BFSI technology roles including Capital Markets, Payments, Cards, and PEGA
• Supported hiring across Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India
• Developed advanced sourcing methodologies and research frameworks
• Recognized speaker on ethical candidate intelligence and sourcing strategies

Recruitment Consultant – US Technology Staffing at iPlace (2011-01 – 2013-12)

Delivered VMS/MSP-based hiring across US technology markets and contributed to training and operational improvements.

• Delivered VMS/MSP-based hiring across US technology markets
• Contributed to training and operational improvements
• Developed foundational expertise in staffing economics and client advisory

Bachelor of Commerce in Commerce – Pune University