Mohd Zin was born in Muar, Johore and obtained his Diploma of Civil Engineering from UiTM in 1977.

He then went on to work with PKNS before continuing his studies in Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, USA.

[2] However, in April 2009, Mohd Zin was dropped from the Cabinet by incoming Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, and was replaced in his ministry by Shaziman Abu Mansor.

[3] In November 2009, he was appointed as the Chairman of Keretapi Tanah Melayu, peninsular Malaysia's main rail operator.

[4] In the 2013 election, the Barisan Nasional coalition suffered heavy losses in the state of Selangor, and Mohd Zin lost his parliamentary seat to Mohamed Hanipa Maidin of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).