CMatP Profile: Mark Hamilton

With over 23 years of expertise, Mark Hamilton is a seasoned Project Quality Assurance Engineer/Inspector and Manager specializing in onshore and offshore infrastructure and resource projects. His portfolio includes major LNG ventures such as Gorgon, Wheatstone, and Ichthys, working with global leaders like Rio Tinto, CPB, John Holland, woodside and Chevron, he has also spent significant amounts of time in a variety of Infrastructure and tunnelling projects, including Melbourne metro tunnel, LXRP and the Westgate project. Mark excels in commissioning, completions, and optimizing Quality and Project Management Systems, integrating sustainability and ESG principles. Passionate about innovation and R&D-driven product enhancements which aim to delivering sustainable construction Outcomes for the End user. A strategic thinker with highlevel commercial acumen, Mark is committed to reshaping Australia's construction sector through lean methodologies, critical thought leadership, and cutting-edge technological and material adoption. He has also published works within a variety of construction fields.

Where do you work and describe your job?

Recently I was involved with Rio Tinto’s Sustaining Capital Team, where my work spanned across the Greater Tom Price, Marandoo, and Western Turner Region. Initially, I joined as a Quality Assurance Engineer, primarily focusing on the QC component of QAQC within project delivery. My career trajectory has been shaped by years of experience as a Welding and Coatings Inspector, as well as roles in consulting and business development.

Over time, my role evolved significantly with a primary focus moving to QA aspect of systems and product. I began integrating sustainable solutions into our processes, focusing on systems innovation and product advancements. Sustainability has become the core pillar of my work, ensuring that projects align with operational excellence principles, particularly through Kaizen methodologies and digital transformation.

Currently, I am spearheading several projects that have the potential to optimize the green energy landscape, not just within Australia but on a global scale. The pursuit of sustainable innovation in engineering is an ongoing journey—one that I am eager to see unfold.

What inspired you to choose a career in materials science and engineering?

In Middle school my focus was to become a Marine Biologist as I loved the Water and Environment and had the most amazing teacher Jim Blakslee (Shoutout Jim). I pursued many different options post schooling including the armed forces, although eventually decided on a career in Engineering and welding. I Have always been drawn towards materials makeup and the quality systems and processes that are required to deliver a product that is both versatile and design compliant, without compromising the pragmatic needs of the end user.

Who or what has influenced you most professionally

My philosophy for the past 20 + years of my career has been if you are the smartest person in the room, you are potentially in the wrong room. Something which I still actively pursue. this has aided my knowledge and skillset immensely. It’s so vitally important to have a mentor or coach. I started my career in the agriculture sector and slowly progressed, welding initially then Material inspection and testing. In many ways I have been extremely fortunate to of worked with the skills of yesteryear and have been able to bring portions of that knowledge into the current digital age.

I remember the first engineering draftsman I worked with—he drafted designs by hand. It was for an engineering company of about 120 people. His name was Brian White from Danum Engineering. We worked on various defence contracts, including those with the former Tenix Defence, and served as the principal contractor for Shell for several years. It was a fantastic place to work. The opportunity to learn from experts whose skillsets have all but gone from construction (excluding Special class welding). Is something I will always remember. These were the craftsmen of a bygone era—blacksmiths, machinists, fitters, welders, and those who built steam engines by hand—masters of their trade whose knowledge and craftsmanship had to be seen.

I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding managers and engineering teams across a range of disciplines, from infrastructure, oil and gas, and mining to academia. More recently, I’ve been involved in exploring alternative materials for waterway management and estuary habitats—an initiative that is shaping Australia’s coastal and waterway management plan.

The coatings industry is also seeing incredible advancements, with EonCoat emerging as a game-changer. Its unique self-healing Vivianite layer, combined with a ceramic shield, makes it the sustainable choice for cost efficiency and environmental safety. I’m also currently working with some outstanding Sustainability led development projects. It’s too early to discuss in Granular detail although once they evolve, will be great to share amongst the community.

I was especially fortunate to have a Quality Manager on the West Gate Tunnel project who expanded my knowledge in ways I never imagined, introducing me to new perspectives and management approaches.

May he rest in peace.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with the people I have and becoming a part of the Materials Australia community seems a fantastic way to contribute the knowledge and attitudes they shared with me.

Which has been the most challenging job/ project you’ve worked on to date and why?

That’s a great question. It’s difficult to single out just one project as the most challenging, as each comes with its own complexities and opportunities. The Melbourne infrastructure

Above: Post Metrology spooling for Woodside GWF 2. King bay Karratha projects—including the Metro Tunnel, LXRP, and West Gate Tunnel—stand out as some of the most demanding I’ve worked on. These large-scale initiatives involved multiple vested interests, competing priorities, making navigation particularly challenging. At the same time, they offered unparalleled opportunities. That project had some advanced civil additives and accelerants which Fred Andrewsphaedonos was instrumental in developing many decades ago. Helping teams understand welding processes and material requirements also allowed us to share knowledge of the craft in meaningful ways.

Below: Stick built Ship loader for Utah Point common user facility 2009 Australian marine complex fabrication and erection the commissioned at Utah Point in Port Hedland.

Beyond infrastructure, I found my time with Civmec and BAE Systems equally demanding. Working with Clough on offshore hookup and commissioning projects for Chevron and Inpex was another major challenge. Being handed a set of process and instrumentation drawings for an offshore platform and asked, ‘Tell us what’s missing,’ was an intense but rewarding experience.

More recently, I’ve observed a growing trend toward over-engineering, which I find concerning. While precision and safety are crucial, this approach is driving construction costs to unsustainable levels. Thoughtful design is essential—there’s no one-size-fitsall solution. Our building industry is a prime example of this issue, further compounded by rising material costs.

What does being a CMatP mean to you?

It’s an honour, love this community!! We are on the cusp of amazing technological developments from coatings and steelmaking to 3D printing and development environmentally friendlier products and circular economies of scale! The development and manufacturing of them locally is a big focus of mine. There is some outstanding development occurring right here in Perth, alongside our mind-boggling talent. Support from Academia Australia wide including UWA, ECU, Curtin, AOU, UON and Melbourne University and no doubt many more is helping develop the materials space at a rapid rate.

Also, internally from all the major organisations. Neo Smelt is a great example of this. As are the scholarships from the Curtain corrosion centre.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

My job has been very intense at many stages throughout my career, be open to what the universe has in store for you. Once you have climbed one mountain, you are at the bottom of the next. Overall trust your intuition and do what makes you happy.

What are you optimistic about?

That we will provide and deliver on generational leadership, unlocking downstream resource value to create wealth and ownership for our communities. By adopting community ownership models and leveraging generational wealth, we can drive research and develop cuttingedge manufacturing facilities. This progress will rely on support from local and international partners. As we embrace the digital age, I believe our advancements will accelerate rapidly. A company I’m involved with has developed systems and processes to facilitate and guide this type of work. Lets see.

What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements?

Having the conviction to pursue what I love. I have been involved in many world firsts regarding construction achievements from Oil and Gas heavy lifts to deepest deployment on ocean floors, the largest tunnelling systems in the southern hemisphere and some unique additive manufacturing approaches.

Being able to tie my initial career options into the sustainable construction and Environmental approaches provides a great sense of achievement. Without doubt the support I have received from my family and amazing support network, none of this would have occurred. Experience is life’s greatest teacher.

What are the top three things on your “bucket list”?

1. To see a Hydro power project In Westen Australia’s Pilbara, encompassing a true circular economy approach. Supporting the business that are already there. And developing some new ones to support our future. I believe we need to place far greater emphasis on materials and R & D across all facets of our community Including agriculture.

2. Material sustainability and assurance processes should remain a key consideration in investment decisions shaping our economic future. This extends to job creation and manufacturing for Australian prosperity. With advancements in robotics and automation set to transform sustainability, there is a valuable opportunity to explore and embrace.

3. To be remembered as a good father to my children, amazing husband and to be driver for Sustainable construction processes and Materials manufacturing.