Winner. Scientist of the Year 2024

Harshal Shah

Academic title, degree: MS in Computer Science
Fields of science: Computer Science
Research interest: Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Cyber Security, Software Engineering
Career Development: Senior
Organization: eBay
Position: Lead Software Engineer
City: San Jose, California
Country: USA

Harshal Shah is a distinguished technical leader and seasoned professional in the tech industry. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Staff Engineer at eBay, where he has been making significant strides since December 2020. In this role, Harshal not only manages and mentors a team of 12 talented software engineers but also drives forward-thinking solutions that enhance the company's e-commerce capabilities. His leadership is integral to developing cutting-edge applications that empower sellers, optimize operations, and contribute to eBay’s competitive edge in the global marketplace.

With over nine years of professional experience, Harshal has made impactful contributions at various major technology companies. His career began at Comcast Cable, where he worked from November 2016 to August 2019 as a Senior Software Engineer in the Xfinity Mobile division. There, Harshal played a pivotal role in several strategic projects, showcasing his ability to develop innovative solutions under tight deadlines and his capacity for leadership. Following his tenure at Comcast, Harshal joined Qualcomm as a Lead Software Engineer, where he led a team on the development of network monitoring and management tools. His work at Qualcomm involved collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of complex software solutions that met high standards of security and regulatory compliance.

Harshal’s academic background further strengthens his profile. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where he conducted research in context-aware computing. This research not only honed his analytical skills but also led to the publication of his book, Context-Aware Computing in Health and Fitness, which was released by Eliva Press in October 2024. This book reflects Harshal’s commitment to integrating academic insights with practical applications, making his expertise accessible to a broader audience.

A thought leader in the tech community, Harshal regularly shares his knowledge through articles on platforms like Medium and dev.to. His contributions focus on software engineering best practices, leveraging AI and Machine Learning, and exploring the future of Cloud Computing. Harshal’s dedication to mentoring up-and-coming engineers and fostering innovation within his teams underscores his influence and the respect he commands in the industry.

Harshal Shah's career is defined by a series of impressive achievements that highlight his expertise, leadership, and innovative spirit. At eBay, one of his most notable accomplishments was leading the development of the AI-driven "Ads Unified" campaign tool, launched in May 2024. This tool has revolutionized the way sellers create ad campaigns by using AI to suggest tailored keywords and strategies, reducing setup time dramatically. This innovation boosted eBay Ads' quarterly revenue by 25%, achieving $2.6 billion in revenue. For this success, Harshal was recognized with the eBay Spot Award, an honor reserved for less than 1% of employees.

At Qualcomm, Harshal's leadership contributed to the creation of a network monitoring and management tool suite that significantly improved client data security and compliance, generating an additional $5 million in revenue. His tenure at Comcast was equally remarkable, where he led a successful Fraud Detection project for Xfinity Mobile that curbed credit fraud and saved the company millions in losses.

In addition to his professional achievements, Harshal’s research work has resulted in eight published papers focusing on AI, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing. His dedication to advancing engineering practices earned him the Global Recognition Award 2024 for excellence in research and engineering, solidifying his status as a thought leader in the tech world.