CTO & Chief Scientist
From Ph.D. in power systems to leading engineering and R&D at high-growth companies. 20+ years bridging hardware, automation, and AI—with teams and projects across Canada, Brazil, and Europe.
I am Hooman Mazin. I have over 20 years of experience in engineering—from power systems and high-voltage transmission to leading zero-to-one teams in robotics and automation. I hold a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Alberta, 4.0 GPA) and am a certified PMP and P.Eng in Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario.
I have worked on projects ranging from $2 million to over $500 million and have recruited and scaled teams across Canada, Brazil, and Europe. I focus on solving complex problems with new technology and turning research into production systems.
Architected HIVE (cloud platform for robotics); built software and automation departments from scratch. Delivered 60% labor cost reduction via AI-driven garment handling.
Among first engineering hires; built local team and directed design for electrical, automation, and IT for Montreal gigafactory. Ensured designs met strict sustainability goals.
Led North America’s delivery of North America's first open-pit trolley assist: 12 MW DC OCS, 7 Komatsu 830E-5 hybrid trucks; 90% emissions reduction on trolley, 30%+ site target. Commissioned April 2022.
Designed Canada’s first ship-to-shore smart substation (2017, first cruise shore power in Canada); Vancouver Centerm/DP World (2018, first container ship shore power). EcoStruxure; Prix AQTr Award (Montreal). Global standard offering.
Build engineering departments from scratch; recruit and scale teams in Canada, Brazil, and Europe. Align technical goals with business strategy.
Built and led cross-functional engineering teams at Planiform and Northvolt from zero.
Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS), cloud-connected systems. From research to production.
Architected HIVE and deployed AI-driven robotic handling in live operations.
Large-scale infrastructure: mining electrification, battery gigafactories, gas plants. $2M–$500M+ scope.
Delivered first-in-North-America and first-in-Canada systems with measurable impact.
Architected HIVE, a cloud platform for robotics; led development of vision-based robotic arms and built software and automation departments from the ground up.
60% labor cost reduction; 40% throughput increase.
One of the first engineering hires; built local team and directed design for electrical, automation, and IT. Ensured designs met strict sustainability goals.
Led North America’s ABB's delivery of trolley assist for haul trucks at Copper Mountain Mining: 90% emissions reduction on trolley, 30%+ site target; 12 MW DC, Komatsu 830E-5. Commissioned April 2022.
Designed Canada’s first shore power at both ports: Montreal 2017 (first cruise terminal in Canada, 2,800 t GHG/year); Vancouver 2018 (first container ship at Centerm, 95 t GHG per 60 h per ship). EcoStruxure; global standard.
Planiform announced the appointment of Dr. Hooman Mazin as Chief Scientist. Based at the Centre of Innovation, he advances Planiform’s embodied AI and robotic autonomy initiatives by integrating Vision–Language–Action (VLA) models. Dr. Mazin brings over two decades of engineering experience in automation, product development, and manufacturing.
Published work in power quality, harmonics, and distribution systems. Ph.D. thesis: Data-based Harmonic Source Identification (University of Alberta). Papers in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Electric Power Systems Research, and IEEE PES General Meeting.
Non-invasive, data-based methods to identify and quantify harmonic contributions from loads in distribution and sub-transmission systems. Research verified through simulation and field measurement; contributes to power quality and grid integration.
I track what I read and share reviews on Goodreads. See favorite books, currently reading, and more →
I keep a running list of what I’m reading and what I’ve enjoyed. Follow me on Goodreads for full shelves, reviews, and recommendations. 464 books · 292 ratings (4.10 avg) · 19 reviews.
“Comparison is the death of joy.”
— Mark Twain
I share short reviews and ratings on Goodreads. You can read my 19 reviews and see what I thought of each book.
Read my reviews on Goodreads20+ technical papers in power systems, power quality, harmonics, and industrial applications. Ph.D. (University of Alberta): Data-based Harmonic Source Identification—non-invasive methods to identify harmonic-producing loads in distribution systems. Work published in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Electric Power Systems Research, and IEEE PES.
Google Scholar profile · Full list on request.
Keynotes and panels on robotics, AI, and electrification. Open to board and advisory roles in deep tech and heavy industry.
Speaking and advisory inquiries welcome.
"I believe in zero-to-one engineering. I love the start of a project—taking a blank sheet of paper and turning it into a working system."
I also believe in continuous learning. I hold a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta (power quality research), have published over 20 technical papers, and stay current on AI models and software architecture.
I'm open to CTO, VP Engineering, and technical leadership conversations in robotics, AI, and heavy industry. Based in Montreal; open to the right opportunities globally.