A centralized optimization engine is configured to receive a problem specification that defines an optimization problem to be solved. The optimization engine classifies the problem specification within a large dataset of previously solved optimization problems. The optimization engine selects one or more solution strategies associated with similar optimization problems, and then executes those solution strategies to solve the optimization problem. Over time, the optimization engine updates the large data set with statistical information that reflects the performance of different solution strategies applied to various optimization problems, thereby increasing the effectiveness with which optimization problems may be solved.