Aleksandr Timashov: From Math Lyceum to Machine Learning Engineer at Meta
Aleksandr Timashov: From Small Town Russia to Leading Machine Learning Engineer at Meta
Aleksandr Timashov’s journey from a small town in Russia to becoming a leading machine learning engineer at Meta is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for numbers was ignited at a young age, leading him to excel in math and eventually pursue a degree in Mechanics and Mathematics from Lomonosov Moscow State University.
However, Timashov found the program too theoretical for his taste and decided to complete his studies at Indiana University East in the USA. This decision proved to be pivotal as it set him on a path to becoming a skilled specialist in machine learning.
His career took off when he started creating scoring algorithms for a prominent Russian bank in 2012. From there, he ventured into freelance work across various industries before landing a position at Omnilytics, a Malaysian-based company focused on helping fashion brands make better business decisions through data analysis.
During his time at Omnilytics, Timashov developed matching algorithms using computer vision and natural language processing models, honing his skills in integrating deep learning with real business needs.
In 2019, he joined Petronas Bhd, Malaysia’s oil and gas giant, as the head of the data science department and lead machine learning engineer. His contributions at Petronas were transformative, including optimizing security manpower by 30% through a real-time video-analytic system and automating labor-intensive industrial plant inspections, saving the company over $10 million.
Timashov’s leadership and mentorship skills were also evident at Petronas, where he coached and mentored a team of machine learning engineers, fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration.
In 2021, Timashov decided to further his education and enrolled in a program in artificial intelligence at Stanford University. This decision not only expanded his knowledge but also caught the attention of major IT companies like Tesla, Google, and Meta.
In October 2022, Timashov accepted a role as an ML software engineer at Meta in London, where he continues to lead innovative projects at the intersection of AI, computer vision, and real-time data processing.
Timashov’s story serves as a testament to the power of continuous learning, adaptability, and a bit of luck in achieving success in the tech industry. His journey from a small town in Russia to a leading role at Meta is a reminder that individuals from all backgrounds can make their mark in the world of technology.
