Nadim-Daniel Ghaznavi

nghaznavi@gmail.com

(289) 639-2052

Hamilton, ON, Canada

Career Summary

Systems architect and Linux systems professional with 20+ years of experience building and maintaining complex infrastructure. Recently expanded into AI/ML with the development of AI Snake Lab and explored security analysis during a 1.5-year senior analyst role. Proven ability to lead technical teams, optimize workflows, and deliver reliable solutions in high-stakes environments. Took a planned career break from IT to focus on hands-on work and personal projects.

Employment History

Ghaznavi Consulting

Founded a consulting practice dedicated to designing, developing, and publishing open-source Python projects. Current projects include the AI Snake Lab and Db4E, both hosted on GitHub Pages and published to PyPI.

• Built a custom Jekyll documentation theme and deployed it on GitHub Pages using a custom domain.
• Established a comprehensive Git branching strategy and commit standards to ensure maintainability and traceable workflows.
• Designed and implemented normalized SQLite schemas for both Db4E and the AI Snake Lab to support modular data access and persistence.
• Automated release workflows to publish AI Snake Lab and Db4E directly to PyPI.

AI Snake Lab — Reinforcement Learning Simulation Environment

October 2025 – Present

A fully modular AI training environment for the classic Snake game, built with Python and PyTorch.

• Developed Linear and RNN model architectures for agent training.
• Implemented adaptive epsilon decay by score threshold, allowing agents to master each skill level before advancing.
• Built a real-time Textual TUI displaying synchronized performance metrics and training data.
• Engineered a distributed simulation architecture using ZeroMQ for multi-client, multi-node experiments.
• Added historical data persistence via SQLite for reproducible training sessions.

Tech Stack: Python, PyTorch, ZeroMQ, Textual, SQLite, asyncio, NumPy.

Db4E — Cryptocurrency Deployment, Operation, and Analytics Platform

January 2024 – Present

A full-stack Monero XMR mining platform that unifies deployment, monitoring, and analytics.

• Built a Textual UI for live configuration and performance visualization.
• Architected service-based deployment with systemd for Monero, P2Pool, XMRig, and Db4E services.
• Designed a synchronized client/server database system using SQLite and asyncio.
• Integrated FastAPI and Uvicorn for bi-directional communication between clients and backend services.
• Developed real-time analytics via Textual-Plot widgets for blockchain, pool, and miner statistics.
• Groundbreaking: First Monero platform to feature historical analytics and reporting.

Tech Stack: Python, Monero, P2Pool, XMRig, systemd, Textual, SQLite, asyncio, FastAPI, Uvicorn.

Bank of Montreal – BMO

• Analyzed geolocation and access data to identify potential insider threats, improving security monitoring processes.
• Enforced encrypted email attachment policies, enhancing compliance with corporate data protection standards.
• Led the security analysis team during manager absences, ensuring uninterrupted operations and timely investigation outcomes.
• Utilized Splunk and proprietary tools to conduct detailed investigations and provide actionable recommendations.

Gilbert’s Tire Sales and Service

• Mounted, balanced, and repaired tires for cars and trucks in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Maintained high service quality and safety standards while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Ready Set Go

• Performed full-service tire operations, including mounting, balancing, and repair for cars and semi-trucks.
• Managed shop operations independently, including client relations, job scheduling, sales, and payment processing.

Landscape Consulting

• Constructed fences, laid patio stones, and performed landscaping tasks for residential and commercial clients.
• Maintained commercial properties using landscaping equipment and ensured timely completion of projects.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce – CIBC

• Promoted within a year to lead a high-availability IT operations team supporting revenue-critical applications, including CIBC’s automated foreign exchange trading platform.
• Coordinated team efforts to optimize service delivery, reducing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted transaction processing.
• Recognized with CIBC Quarterly Achiever and Impact Awards for outstanding operational leadership.
• Implemented process improvements that enhanced team efficiency and responsiveness to high-priority incidents.

Keek

• Monitored overnight application performance and executed service restarts to maintain uptime.
• Deployed 50+ new servers from hardware setup to production readiness, ensuring operational continuity.
• Established a new site in the Miami data center remotely, managing full deployment from bare metal to live production.

Moneris Payment Solutions

• Led the Linux team responsible for maintaining high-availability transaction servers processing 250+ transactions per second.
• Collaborated with other teams and vendors to troubleshoot and resolve production issues, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Developed and implemented enterprise procedures and standards to improve reliability and operational efficiency.
• Ensured Linux infrastructure met business-critical performance and compliance requirements.
• Delivered new services including server build and patching systems, IT knowledgebase, inventory management, health monitoring and centralized logging.
• Collaborated with auditors to ensure compliance with PCI standards.

Morgan Stanley

• Supported global C/C++ developer tools, maintaining a centralized wiki and documentation repository.
• Supported the global Makefile build system.
• Conducted testing on new tools and established a centralized Wiki-based documentation repository for company programmers.
• Provided guidance and troubleshooting support to improve developer productivity and system reliability.

Merril Lynch

• Oversaw a NASDAQ-mandated compliance application for large financial institutions, ensuring accurate tracking of trade activity down to the second.
• Managed the nightly batch process to guarantee timely electronic transfer of compliance records to NASDAQ.
• Developed an application to convert nightly NASDAQ CSV files into tabbed Excel reports, streamlining reporting and reducing manual effort.
• Ensured compliance processes were reliable and auditable, minimizing risk of regulatory issues.

Morgan Stanley

• Investigated and evaluated new business intelligence software platforms, producing detailed technical assessments.
• Built test harnesses for stress and functional testing, ensuring accurate performance evaluation.
• Received a Global Operations and Services Award for Excellence for delivering a Metadata Repository for the firm’s Reference Data Group.
• Delivered actionable insights to support enterprise-wide BI platform decisions.

Xpedite

• Designed, deployed and then supported complete IT infrastructure for the new Toronto office, supporting local and remote teams.
• Built enterprise system from 2 laptop prototype to clustered, 3-tierd, 13 production server deployment.
• Personally deployed the servers at the Ashton, Virginia data center, from hardware setup to production readiness.

Cadence Design Systems

• Developed a unified Unix-based desktop environment across 20+ locations, supporting various versions of different operating systems including Solaris, Linux, HP-UX, and AIX.
• Improved user experience and tool accessibility for cross-location teams, enhancing operational efficiency and product platform consistency.

SiGe Semiconductor

• Supported 120 workers across four offices in Canada, UK, and France, providing Linux system administration for workstations, thin clients and simulation servers as well as network troubleshooting.
• Developed custom solutions for remote R&D office, including backup and recovery processes.

Nortel Networks

• Managed 100+ proxy servers globally, providing technical support via email, phone, and Remedy ticketing system.
• Ensured consistent operation and connectivity across distributed server infrastructure.

Cebra / MERX

• Administered all company networks, file transfer servers, databases, and clustered web applications.
• Implemented change management procedures and automated monitoring systems, reducing on-call support costs.
• Provided security analysis and oversight across IT infrastructure.

Canada Revenue Agency

• Managed Solaris server platforms and provided third-level support for e-commerce systems.
• Contributed to architecture of mainframe to web applications, delivering technical presentations to stakeholders.
• Promoted from CS II to CS III for demonstrated technical expertise and leadership.

CADlink Technology Corporation

• Built the company’s online presence and Linux backend services for email, file transfer, and web hosting.
• Migrated services to Windows server platform and implemented standardized server configurations.
• Provided office network and desktop support, including infrastructure upgrades and rewiring.

Core Competencies / Soft Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication, including technical and non-technical documentation.
• Results-oriented team player with proven leadership experience.
• Skilled at facilitating meetings and delivering presentations to peers, senior management, and cross-functional teams.
• Adaptable and quick learner, able to master new technologies and methodologies on the job.

Education

• Bachelor of Art / Political Studies at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, 1993
• Computer Science 3rd Year Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, 1995
• Ongoing self-education in IT, AI/ML and Python programming technologies

Industry Awards

• CIBC Quarterly Achiever Award - 2015
• CIBC Impact Award - 2014
• Keane Award for Excellence - 2006
• Morgan Stanley Global Operations and Services Award for Excellence - 2005
• Keane “K” Pin - 2005
• Canadian Information Productivity Award (CIPA) - 2000

Security Clearance

• Passed numerous RCMP background checks
• Passed Government of Canada Enhanced Reliability Security Clearance check
• Passed credit checks

Resume in .docx format