Summary
Andy Upton is an Engineering Manager for AIML at Nike with nine years of experience building data and ML systems that bridge data engineering, data science, and production machine learning. He leverages a PhD in Anthropology to bring uncommon strengths in social network analysis, unsupervised learning, and interpreting messy, high-dimensional datasets into practical forecasting, recommendation, and ETL solutions. Proficient in R, Python, Spark, and SQL, he has productionized Databricks pipelines, forecasting models, and item-item recommenders at scale across retail and supply-chain domains. A thoughtful leader and communicator, he progressed from hands-on Senior Data/ML Engineer to lead ML roles before stepping into engineering management in 2024. He also has a track record of research funding and academic-firsts—introducing multilayer social network analysis in anthropology—that inform his data-driven, experimental approach to product problems. Based in Portland, he combines rigorous quantitative methods with product-focused delivery to turn complex behavioral signal into actionable systems.
9 years of coding experience
6 years of employment as a software developer
Bachelor's degree Anthropology, Bachelor's degree Anthropology at Miami University
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Anthropology, Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Anthropology at Michigan State University