Meet the Team – Matt Hillbrich

Amanda Johnson

Senior Structural Engineer

Returning to Australia

After a successful international stint, Matt was drawn back to Australia. He was particularly drawn to the Senior Engineer role and the company profile at INCITIAS. “The Directors’ (Holger Kelle and Bastiaan Scheepers) reputation for excellence was well-known. It was a great opportunity to join a dynamic team and work on a variety of projects,” Matt recalls. 

Journey into Engineering

Matt’s journey into civil and structural engineering began at a university open day and gaining an appreciation for the blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application in the industry.

Role at INCITIAS

As a Senior Consultant, Matt is pivotal in providing technical support for structural engineering projects. He also leads project engineering and manages the delivery of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) solutions. Matt explains, “My primary role at INCITIAS is to ensure seamless technical support and drive project success.”

A Day in the Life

A typical day for Matt starts with addressing urgent requests and priorities. He then works through project tasks, progressing new calculations or reports, and collaborating with colleagues on design arrangements. Integrating inputs from other disciplines into structural analysis is also part of his day. Fuelled by a short black espresso, he navigates project management tasks, provides expert advice, reviews schedules, manages procurements, and participates in progress meetings and reporting.

“After months of engineering and design work, managing project delivery, and reviewing drawings on a computer screen, the most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing the tangible, finished product installed and operating as intended on-site,” Matt shares.

Experience at INCITIAS

Reflecting on his experience at INCITIAS, Matt says, “The best thing about working for INCITIAS has been the opportunity to expand my expertise, both technically and in management, into areas previously outside my field of experience, such as fixed offshore platforms.”

Matt has played a significant role in delivering projects such as a sulfuric acid delivery hose reel in Peru and a crude oil offloading hose reel. He supported the site installation of the acid hose reel in Peru and managed the factory acceptance testing of the offloading hose reel in Dubai. “These experiences gave me an additional sense of attachment and achievement for the projects,” Matt concludes.

Life Outside of Work

Outside of work, Matt enjoys the vibrant Trinidadian tradition of “liming,” where good food, drinks, and socializing with excellent company combine. He loves spending time outdoors, particularly engaging in water-related activities. “I love to explore with my wife, children, and dog,” Matt shares. “Whether it’s around our local area or further afield, I always look for opportunities to go for a bike ride or get in or under the water,” Matt laughs. 

 

To learn more about Matt’s career and experience or stay connected, feel free to explore his LinkedIn profile here. 

If you are driven by excellence and are interested in joining our INCITIAS team, we invite you to view our exciting opportunities here. 

Embark on a journey of professional growth, collaboration and engineering excellence with INCITIAS.

For more information please contact: Bastiaan Scheepers

Engineering Services

INCITIAS Services and Original Products are supported by in-house team of engineers and designers:

  • Naval architects
  • Process engineers
  • Mechanical and Marine engineers
  • Safety and risk engineers
  • Structural and civil engineers
  • Electrical and instrumentation engineers
  • Subsea engineers
  • Construction supervisors
 

Naval Architecture services:

  • Hydrodynamic analysis
  • Hydrostatic analysis
  • Offshore and nearshore mooring systems design 
  • Design in accordance with IMO and class requirements

Process Engineering services:

  • Cryogenic system engineering for LNG, ethane, LPG, and hydrogen
  • Chemical engineering for olefins, biodiesel, and chemical bulk handling
  • Natural gas networks
  • Fuel systems
  • Jetty topsides for conventional oil and LNG
  • FPSO topsides design
  • Process system commissioning
 

Mechanical and Marine Engineering services:

  • Original equipment and machinery design
  • Hydraulic and pneumatic system design
  • Cryogenic pressure vessel design
  • Piping systems design
  • Package engineering
  • Marine systems integrations
  • Cargo and ballast systems, HVAC, and cooling propulsion solutions
 

Safety and Risk Engineering services:

  • Explosion studies
  • Gas dispersion studies
  • Cooling water dispersion studies
  • QRA, HAZOP and HAZID coordination
 

Structural Engineering services:

  • Marine and offshore structure design
  • Structure life extension
  • Fatigue studies
  • Asset integrity
 

Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering services:

  • Load lists
  • Shore-to-ship power connections
  • Power system design
  • LV and MV engineering
  • Subsea electrical systems engineering
  • Process and machinery instrumentation design
 

Subsea Engineering services:

  • ROV operations engineering
  • Subsea intervention engineering
  • Subsea pipeline system design
  • Flexible flowline and umbilical design

FPSO External Riser turret mooring

Mooring Handling LIFTING BEAM GENERAL ASSEMBLY Original Equipment

Hose Reel 3D hybrid render

FPSO Bow Extension 3D modelling

FPSO Decommissioning

Our clients find our experience invaluable during FPSO decommissioning planning and execution, using the INCITIAS teams’ ability to assess the most suitable strategy, based on the project and local authority’s requirements. Our team has extensive experience in the design and installation of FPSO mooring systems, risers and umbilicals.

 

We can support the client decommissioning plan with the following services:

 

  • Decommissioning option selection study and recommendation
  • Cost estimate and assessment of cost escalation
  • Contracting strategy options selection and recommendation
  • Integrated owner engineering team
  • Original equipment to unlock value in the decommissioning plan
  • Project management of decommissioning team and sub-contractor

 

Examples of typical deliverables for FPSO Decommissioning are:

 

  • Execution plan and cost estimation
  • Riser, umbilical and mooring disconnection analysis
  • Vessel spread selection and market enquiry
  • Decommissioning story board, tools and resource lists 
  • Design and build of original equipment 
  • ROV campaign support
  • Decommissioning schedule and procedure
  • Request for quotation, bid assessment and recommendation 
  • HAZID and HAZOP

Single Point Mooring system

Turret Mooring

Independent Verification Design

Working together with INCITIAS, clients can obtain objective evidence of asset compliance with project requirements.

With our independent verification design process, INCITIAS applies an efficient risk-based assessment method to prioritise critical elements of the asset.

 

An INCITIAS comprehensive review can include:

 

  • Desktop review of design documents
  • Review of HAZID, EIA and QRA findings
  • Risk ranking of asset elements
  • Preparation of review plan
  • Client approval of review plan
  • Execute review plan, including on-site performance verification
  • Issue of certification certificate
 

We work together with our clients to ensure the appropriate level of review is carried out.

Operations & Maintenance Support

INCITIAS combines our Engineering expertise with real world Operations and Maintenance experience.  We support our clients with O&M development and management activities including:

 

  • Enterprise management system development
  • Organisation structure development and evaluation
  • Systems and procedures development and review, including detailed procedures, permits and work systems
  • Emergency response systems
  • Defining specific port operations requirements
  • Operation and maintenance training and competency assessment
  • Commissioning activities

Integrated Owner’s Engineering Services

We support Owners with engineering, technical, and project management expertise across LNG, marine, and vessel conversion projects. Our clients can minimise risk and maximise opportunities earlier in project execution, with INCITIAS Owner’s engineering services. 

 

INCITIAS can provide integrated owner’s engineering services for onshore and offshore projects from a client office, site location or remotely from our offices in Melbourne. 

 

Typical services are:

 

  • Design and construction management
  • Customised risk management solutions
  • Specialist LNG process and marine engineering
  • Budget implementation, scheduling, and cost control
  • Non-permanent on-site dedicated offices for project

 

 

Indicative deliverables are:

 

  • Technical document reviews
  • Project bankability documents 
  • Basis of design
  • Functional performance specification
  • Resource plan and project schedule
  • Request for quotation and technical bid evaluation
  • Participation in HAZID, HAZOP, QRA, design reviews
  • FAT (Factory Acceptance Tests) certification
  • Work packs for installation contractor
 

We can be as involved as you require. From specialist resources who consultant on specific aspects of your project, to the provision of a fully integrated Owners team. 

At INCITIAS we develop tailor-made delivery solutions to match your project’s execution strategy and risk profile. Offering a full range of alternative delivery methods enables us to deliver the most effective project outcomes for you.

CLP Jetty Installation during the daytime

Advisory Services

INCITIAS offers integrated technical and commercial advisory services to assist clients advance their projects and provide support for their decision-making process. Clients can reduce risk and maximise opportunities by accessing our team of advisory specialists’ wealth of experience.

 

Typical advisory services are:

 

  • Technology assessment and selection. 
  • Commercial risk assessment.
  • Pre-feasibility, feasibility, and pre-FEED and FEED studies.
  • Contract review against the project technical performance.
  • Independent review of project execution plan.
 

INCITIAS techno-commercial advisory services aligns commercial drivers with feasible and proven technical solutions. Our team’s experience includes facility selection, financial assessment, contracting strategies, construction management and project operations. Assisting clients meet their business objectives using our capabilities to provide insights and solutions. 

 

Indicative deliverables are:

 

  • Site selection study
  • Environmental pre-assessment 
  • Technology options, recommendations and definition
  • Review of contract commitment against the facility performance
  • CAPEX and OPEX estimates
  • Financial models, NPV calculation, tolling model, and sensitivity assessment 
  • Project bankability document pack
  • Probabilistic models combining queueing and Monte Carlo assessment for logistic studies
  • HAZID, HAZOP, QRA and project risk assessment 
  • Operations and training requirements definition