Arsa Nikzad

AI Researcher

Greater Toronto Area, Canada12 yrs experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Over 10 years of experience in time series forecasting.
Top 3% in M5 forecasting competition.
1st place in International Institute of Forecasters competition.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Data Scientist specializing in Forecasting within E-commerce and Pharmaceuticals.

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Skills

Core Skills

Machine LearningForecastingStructural Engineering

Other Skills

Data AnalysisStatisticsStatistical MethodsStatistical ModelingProject ManagementPublic SpeakingTableauManagementStrategic PlanningAnalyticsSQLSalesLeadershipBusiness IntelligenceAnalytical Skills

About

I am a structural engineer and data scientist with more than 10 years of experience in time series forecasting. I specialize in developing and enhancing forecasting engines for large-scale companies. I have developed and contributed to core forecasting engines in sectors like e-commerce retail (Wayfair), pharmaceuticals (Janssen, Bayer), and heavy machinery (Finning-Caterpillar). I am also an avid forecasting competition participant. I competed in M4, placed in the top 3% of M5, and secured 1st and 3rd positions in the first and second phases of VN1. In 2025, along with my colleagues, I won (1st place) the prestigious Forecasting Practice Competition of the International Institute of Forecasters for implementing a large-scale forecasting system for Wayfair.

Experience

Wayfair

Senior ML Scientist | Forecasting

Apr 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 11 mos · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Lead the design and implementation of a scalable end-to-end machine learning (boosting trees) forecasting solution.
Ensure forecast accuracy, conduct thorough checks, and effectively communicate model performance insights to stakeholders.

Machine LearningForecastingData AnalysisStatistics

Finning

Senior Data Scientist | Forecasting

Mar 2021 – Apr 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo · Canada

Conducted comprehensive benchmarking and evaluations comparing classical statistical methods, boosting tree, automl, neural networks, and mixed models to identify optimal forecasting approaches.
Developed and implemented end-to-end machine learning forecasting solutions for fast-moving and intermittent series.

Machine LearningStatistical MethodsData AnalysisForecasting

Scarsin corporation

Lead Data Scientist | Forecasting

Aug 2015 – Mar 2021 · 5 yrs 7 mos · Markham

Led a team of data scientists in the development of cutting-edge classical statistical and machine learning-based forecasting engines.
Collaborated with commercial analytics and insight teams in pharmaceutical companies to support time series forecasting process improvement.

Machine LearningStatistical ModelingData AnalysisForecasting

Tehran raymand consulting engineers

Senior Structural Engineer

Feb 2005 – Jul 2011 · 6 yrs 5 mos · Tehran Province, Iran

South Pars Gas Field (Phase 15 & 16 )
Designed various refinery and petrochemical structures, including storage tanks, drums, pipe racks, pipe sleepers, retaining walls, and more, as part of a structural design team.
Modeled and analyzed stress-strain simulations for welded joints in high-pressure, low-temperature storage tanks.
Collaborated with engineering departments (e.g., Piping, Electrical) to ensure seamless integration of technical requirements across all disciplines from the design phase to construction.

Structural EngineeringProject Management