Jihane Lekrari

About Jihane Lekrari

For over 15 years, I\'ve been passionate about building the systems and teams that turn raw data into intelligent action. My career has been a journey toward the heart of innovation, from the financial hubs of Paris to the tech centers of Boston and now California.My background is at the intersection of three exciting fields: Gaming & Media, Applied AI, and Large-Scale Data Engineering. At PlayStation, I have the privilege of leading global teams in the cloud gaming space, where we manage the real-time data infrastructure that powers experiences for millions of users. A key part of my focus is architecting our long-term Generative AI strategy, ensuring we stay at the forefront of what\'s possible.As a leader, my philosophy is centered on mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and creating an environment where talented engineers can do their best work. I believe in building resilient, scalable systems and resilient, empowered teams.Core Competencies: • Generative AI & Applied Machine Learning • Global Engineering Leadership & Team Mentorship • Real-Time Data Processing (Kafka, Flink, Kubernetes) • Cloud Architecture & Distributed Systems • Gaming, Streaming, and Media Technologies • Strategic Planning & Program Execution

Experience

1. Head of Data Engineering, Bi & Applied Ai

   Sony Interactive Entertainment

   Sep 2022 — Present · CA, US

   Lead a global, around-the-clock delivery organization with teams in California, Europe and Australia, ensuring continuous operations and project execution within an Agile and CI/CD framework.Lead three specialized teams in game streaming, managing the entire data pipeline from real-time data processing with Kafka, Kubernetes, and Flink to AI-driven insights, leveraging Python, C++, and GPU computing for performance-critical components.Oversee the software architecture and management of private cloud infrastructure and distributed systems across global data centers, ensuring high availability and performance for our data intelligence systems.Lead key programs including Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) for cloud gaming with visual quality assessment, and data center capacity management for optimal resource allocation.Architected and leading the Supercharger for GenAI program, a 5-year engineering enablement strategy developed in partnership with VP/SVP leadership and IT to accelerate GenAI adoption

Education

• MBA ESG

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Big Data, Chief data officer

  2017 — 2018

• Université de Caen Normandie

  Master 2, Informatique Décisionnelle

  2004 — 2009