Michael Sachs

Summary

Accomplished technical leader with 15+ years driving large-scale machine learning, AI systems, and data platforms across both product and infrastructure domains. Proven ability to lead and scale cross-functional teams, partner directly with enterprise clients, and operationalize advanced AI — including large language models — to deliver measurable business impact. Expert in aligning AI strategy with product and go-to-market execution, building high-impact teams, and driving adoption of AI in complex, ambiguous environments.

Core strengths

LLM & ML productization • Enterprise AI strategy • Technical leadership • AI team scaling • Cross-functional execution • Performance & cost optimization • Customer-facing AI delivery

Experience

Cohere

Senior Manager of Technical Staff, Applied ML Sep 2025 - Present

Lead Cohere’s APAC/Western UCAN LLM model customization organization, building new capabilities into foundational models to meet enterprise customer needs and directly driving AI strategy with global clients.

  • Leading engagements with major enterprise customers — LG, Fujitsu, Hanwha Ocean (APAC) and RWS, Oracle, Dell (North America) — shaping customized LLM solutions and strategic AI adoption.
  • Driving a hyper-growth phase for the Applied ML team; scoped to >3× growth by end of 2026, with hiring strategies that improved candidate volume by ~50% and doubled candidate seniority through refreshed, market-oriented job descriptions and role clarity.
  • Built org foundations and role ladders for the Machine Learning Engineering function; partnered with recruiting to expand pipeline and reduce time-to-hire for senior AI talent.
  • Own technical stewardship of AI integrations, infrastructure footprint, and performance/cost tradeoffs for enterprise workloads.

Netflix

Senior Data Science Manager, Infrastructure Jan 2022 - Sept 2024

Led platform-level machine learning initiatives optimizing cloud performance, cost, and reliability across Netflix’s infrastructure portfolio.

  • Founded and led Netflix’s first ML-for-Systems team optimizing AWS traffic, workload placement, and utilization — delivering measurable cloud cost savings and improved performance.
  • Deployed LLM-based models to map customer support signals to internal infrastructure issues, reducing detection latency and enabling faster remediation cycles.
  • Built experimentation and causal inference tooling enabling risk-managed infrastructure iteration.
  • Developed ML tooling for capacity planning, improving forecast accuracy for high-throughput streaming events.
  • Collaborated with Finance and Engineering to build cloud cost efficiency platforms, optimizing utilization across $800M+ annual AWS spend.
  • Co-authored job families for ML Engineers, enhancing role clarity and hiring benchmarks across a 500+ data organization.

Data Science Manager, Content Distribution Infrastructure Sept 2020 - Jan 2022

  • Led cross-functional ML, data, and research teams to improve global content delivery performance for Netflix’s Open Connect network.
  • Architected and deployed ML systems for VPN detection, traffic forecasting, and proactive content placement, enhancing customer experience worldwide.
  • Spearheaded 0 to 1 data infrastructure for Netflix Cloud Games, enabling experimentation, telemetry, and feature iteration pre-launch.
  • Delivered ultra-high-resolution TCP logging pipelines and experimentation frameworks to accelerate network performance research and feature deployment.

FLYR

Head of Product Mar 2019 - Apr 2020

  • Directed a 22-person cross-functional team (research, PM, engineering) across three continents in AI-first product development for airline revenue management.
  • Improved customer retention and pricing performance through advanced machine learning workflows.

Head of ML Platform Nov 2018 - Mar 2019

  • Built and scaled ML infrastructure (GCP, DVC) that reduced model iteration cycles by 80%.
  • Designed and deployed inference systems cutting latency by 50% and production errors by 96%.

Radius Intelligence

Data Science Manager Mar 2017 - Oct 2018

  • Led research team tackling entity resolution, clustering, and data quality for B2B marketing data.
  • Defined research impact metrics and seniority ladders, strengthening cross-functional influence.

Discovery Digital Networks

Director of Data Science and Technology Sept 2014 - Mar 2017

  • Migrated digital data infrastructure to AWS, reducing engineering cycle time by 50%.
    • .
  • Built real-time analytics pipelines supporting ~500M daily events.

Data Scientist Mar 2014 - Sept 2014

  • Founded the Data Science function; delivered forecasting and viewership models used in content planning.

Early Career

  • NASA Earth & Space Science Fellowship recipient — Graduate Researcher, Physics (2010–2013)
  • Product & design leadership roles at Weill Cornell Medical College & Xperts (1997–2005)

Technical Skills

Languages

Python, SQL, JavaScript, C, C++, HTML, CSS

ML and AI

PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, Transformers, DVC, MLflow, causal inference, large-scale experimentation

Data and Infra

Spark/PySpark, Databricks, Airflow, BigQuery, Redshift, AWS, GCP

Tools

Flask, Django, SQLAlchemy, Pandas, NumPy, D3.js

Education

University of California, Davis

PhD in Physics, 2013 (GPA: 3.87)

Columbia University

Completed undergraduate physics curriculum (GPA: 3.99)

Virginia Commonwealth University

BFA, Graphic Design, 1995 (GPA: 3.24)

Publications

Parametrizing Physics-Based Earthquake Simulations
K. W. Schultz, M. R. Yoder, J. M. Wilson, E. M. Heien, M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, and D. L. Turcotte
Pure and Applied Geophysics  (2016)

Virtual Quake: Statistics, Co-Seismic Deformations and Gravity Changes for Driven Earthquake Fault Systems
K. W. Schultz, M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, M. R. Yoder, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte, and A. Donnellan
International Symposium on Geodesy for Earthquake and Natural Hazards (GENAH)  145  29-37  (2015)

Simulating Gravity Changes in Topologically Realistic Driven Earthquake Fault Systems: First Results
K. W. Schultz, M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte, and A. Donnellan
Pure and Applied Geophysics  Volume 17 827–838 (2014)

Self-Organizing Complex Earthquakes: Scaling in Data, Models, and Forecasting
M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, J. R. Holliday, J. Gran, M. Yoder and W. Graves
"Self-Organized Criticality Systems"  Open Academic Press  (2013)

A Comparison among Observations and Earthquake Simulator Results for the allcal2 California Fault Model
T. E. Tullis, K. Richards-Dinger, M. Barall, J. H. Dieterich, E. H. Field, E. M. Heien, L. H. Kellogg, F. Pollitz, J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, D. L. Turcotte, S. N. Ward and M. B. Yikilmaz
Seismological Research Letters  83  994-1006  (2012)

Generic Earthquake Simulator
T. E. Tullis, K. Richards-Dinger, M. Barall, J. H. Dieterich, E. H. Field, E. M. Heien, L. H. Kellogg, F. Pollitz, J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, D. L. Turcotte, S. N. Ward and M. B. Yikilmaz
Seismological Research Letters  83  959-963  (2012)

Virtual California Earthquake Simulator
M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, D. L. Turcotte, M. B. Yikilmaz, J. B. Rundle and L. H. Kellogg
Seismological Research Letters  83  973-978  (2012)

Forecasting Earthquakes: The RELM Test
M. K. Sachs, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday and J. B. Rundle
Computing in Science and Engineering  14  43  (2012)

Understanding Long-Term Earthquake Behavior through Simulation
E. M. Heien and M. K. Sachs
Computing in Science and Engineering  14  10  (2012)

Black swans, power laws, and dragon-kings: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, wildfires, floods, and SOC models
M. K. Sachs, M. R. Yoder, D. L. Turcotte, J. B. Rundle and B. D. Malamud
European Physical Journal Special Topics  205  167-182  (2012)

Implications of the RELM test of earthquake forecasts in California
M. K. Sachs, Y. T. Lee, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday and J. B. Rundle
Research in Geophysics  2  e10  (2012)

Evaluating the RELM test results
M. K. Sachs, Y. T. Lee, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday and J. B. Rundle
International Journal of Geophysics  2012  (2012)

Earthquake precursors: activation or quiescence?
J. B. Rundle, J. R. Holliday, M. Yoder, M. K. Sachs, A. Donnellan, D. L. Turcotte, K. F. Tiampo, W. Klein and L. H. Kellogg
Geophysical Journal International  187  225-236  (2011)

Results of the Regional Earthquake Likelihood Models (RELM) test of earthquake forecasts in California
Y. T. Lee, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday, M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, C. C. Chen and K. F. Tiampo
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA)  108  16533-16538  (2011)

Testing Lattice Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions
M. K. Sachs
arXiv:1110.6880 [gr-qc]  (2011)

Awards

  • Three time Discovery D-Lighter award winner
  • 2014 and 2015 Discovery Digital Networks Hackathon winner
  • 2011 NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship
  • 2011 Santa Fe Institute Complex Systems Summer School
  • Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society
  • Interactive Best in Show, Richmond Ad Show 2004: AdCenter Website
  • 10 eHealthcare Leadership Awards including 2 Platinum Awards for work done on the Weill Cornell Medical College Environmental Geriatrics Continuing Medical Education Application 2002-2005
  • Artwork exhibited in the 2002 Paperveins Museum of Art Biennial at the Here Arts Center in New York City
  • Xperts Employee of the Month May 1999, June 2001, August 2001
  • Addy Award: Xperts Self Promotional Website 2000
  • Xperts Outstanding Engineering Sales Support December 1999
  • Xperts Excellence in Engineering Award August 1999
  • 9 Xperts customer service awards 1997-2002

Conferences

AGU 2013

Earthquake Simulations and Historical Patterns of Events: Forecasting the Next Great Earthquake in California
M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, E. M. Heien, K. Schultz, D. L. Turcotte, M. B. Yikilmaz, and L. H. Kellogg (2013)
Abstract NG41A-1662 (Poster) presented at 2013 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 7-13 Dec.

Monitoring Earthquake Fault Slip from Space: Model Implications for a High Precision, High Resolution Dedicated Gravity Mission (Invited)
J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, K. F. Tiampo, J. Fernandez, D. L. Turcotte, A. Donnellan, E. M. Heien and L. H. Kellogg (2013)
Abstract G13C-08 presented at 2013 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 7-13 Dec.

AGU 2012

Virtual California: studying earthquakes through simulation
M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, D. L. Turcotte, M. B. Yikilmaz, J. B. Rundle and L. H. Kellogg (2012)
Abstract NG43C-02 presented at 2012 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 3-7 Dec.

Dynamics, Patterns, and Migration in Earthquake Fault Systems (Invited)
J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, J. R. Holliday, E. M. Heien, D. L. Turcotte, A. Donnellan and Z. Meadows (2012)
Abstract S13A-2518 (Poster) presented at 2012 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 3-7 Dec.

EcoSummit 2012

Using Insights from Statistical Physics to Model Common Pool Resource Management
M. K. Sachs, N. Kunz, Z. A. Hamstead, A. Fajardo (2012)
Abstract GS07.28 presented at 2012 Meeting EcoSummit Columbus, Ohio 30 Sept. - 5 Oct.

AOGS 2012

Delivery of Earthquake Forecasts on Web-Based Platforms: Estimating Reliability and Forecast Skill
J. B. Rundle, J. R. Holliday, M. K. Sachs, W. Graves, P. B. Rundle, S. N. Ward and A. Donnellan (2012)
Abstract SE61-75-A001 presented at 2012 Meeting AOGS Singapore 13-17 Aug.

Numerical Simulations for Space-time Seismic Pattern Analysis and Earthquake Forecasting
M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, D. L. Turcotte, M. B. Yikilmaz, J. B. Rundle and L. H. Kellogg (2012)
Abstract SE61-75-A002 presented at 2012 Meeting AOGS Singapore 13-17 Aug.

AGU 2011

RELM Test Results: How Good Were the Forecasts?
M. K. Sachs, Y. T. Lee, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday and J. B. Rundle (2011)
Abstract NG44B-02 presented at 2011 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 5-9 Dec.

Using Speculative Execution to Reduce Communication in a Parallel Large Scale Earthquake Simulation
E. M. Heien, M. B. Yikilmaz, M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte and L. H. Kellogg (2011)
Abstract NG51D-1672 (Poster) presented at 2011 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 5-9 Dec.

E-DECIDER: Earthquake Disaster Decision Support and Response Tools - Development and Experiences
M. T. Glasscoe, R. G. Blom, G. W. Bawden, G. Fox, M. Pierce, J. B. Rundle, J. Wang, Y. Ma, M. R. Yoder, M. K. Sachs and J. W. Parker (2011)
Abstract IN11A-1269 (Poster) presented at 2011 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 5-9 Dec.

SCEC Earthquake Simulator Comparison Results for California (Invited)
T. E. Tullis, K. Richards-Dinger, M. Barall, J. H. Dieterich, E. H. Field, E. M. Heien, L. H. Kellogg, F. Pollitz, J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, D. L. Turcotte, S. N. Ward and O. Zielke (2011)
Abstract NG44B-01 presented at 2011 Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, Calif. 5-9 Dec.

SCEC 2011

An Evaluation of the RELM Test Forecasts
M. K. Sachs, Y. T. Lee, D. L. Turcotte, J. R. Holliday and J. B. Rundle (2011)
Abstract B-120 (Poster) presented at 2011 Annual Meeting SCEC Palm Springs, Calif. 11-14 Sep.

Parallelization of the Virtual California Earthquake Simulator
E. M. Heien, M. B. Yikilmaz, M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, L. H. Kellogg, and D. L. Turcotte (2011)
Abstract B-087 (Poster) presented at 2011 Annual Meeting SCEC Palm Springs, Calif. 11-14 Sep.

The Future of Virtual California Simulations
M. B. Yikilmaz, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte, E. M. Heien, M. K. Sachs, and L. H. Kellogg (2011)
Abstract B-110 (Poster) presented at 2011 Annual Meeting SCEC Palm Springs, Calif. 11-14 Sep.

Comparisons Among Earthquake Simulator Results for UCERF2 Fault Model of California and Observed Seismicity
T. E. Tullis, K. Richards-Dinger, M. Barall, J. H. Dieterich, E. H. Field, E. Heien, L. H. Kellogg, F. Pollitz, J. B. Rundle, M. K. Sachs, D. L. Turcotte, S. N. Ward, M. B. Yikilmaz, and O. Zielke (2011)
Abstract B-109 (Poster) presented at 2011 Annual Meeting SCEC Palm Springs, Calif. 11-14 Sep.

ACES 2011

Virtual California: Inner Workings, Recent Results and Future Development
M. K. Sachs, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte, A. Donnellan and J. W. Parker (2011)
Abstract 7400 presented at 2011 Meeting ACES Maui, Hawaii 1-5 May

Virtual California: A Guided Tour
M. K. Sachs, E. M. Heien, J. B. Rundle, D. L. Turcotte, M. B. Yikilmaz, L. H. Kellogg, K. F. Tiampo, A. Donnellan, W. Klein and J. W. Parker (2011)
Presented at 2011 Meeting ACES Maui, Hawaii 1-5 May

Press

Scientific American

Test Pits Earthquake Forecasts against Each Other

NBC News

Flagging quake hotspots an inexact science

UC Davis News

Assessing California earthquake forecasts

NASA

Managing the Deluge of 'Big Data' From Space

QuakeSim and NASA Mobile App Win NASA Software Award