Meet the Team: Matthew Haertsch | OWC Australia
At OWC, our teams are constantly expanding into more locations, in expertise, and in sectors of influence. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we invite you to get to know our team members so you can meet the energy behind change.
For this week’s meet the team, we head down under for a chat with Matthew Haertsch, a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with OWC Australia.
Position: Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Office: Sydney, OWC Australia
Favourite Rock: Hawkesbury Sandstone
Hobbies Outside of Work: I love to travel, eat tasty food, and generally get out into nature!
Can you describe your role as a geotechnical engineer and what it entails day-to-day?
My work supports developers in finding an optimised foundation solution for projects. I usually get involved after a survey has been completed to interpret the data gathered offshore so that we can provide inputs for foundation design and installation assessments. I’m then involved in the design process to identify and mitigate ground related risks.
Day-to-day, I spend a lot of time writing software so that we can efficiently process, analyse and interpret large amounts of data. The rest of my time is usually spent discussing issues with the rest of the geoscience team as well as our clients to make sure that the results of our work are well understood.
What first sparked you interest in geotechnical engineering?
When I left school, I went to university wanting to become an investment banker or management consultant. I studied a double degree of civil engineering and finance because I wasn’t 100% sure if the corporate world was for me. Turns out I was a much better engineer than management consultant so I’ve stuck with that!
Are there any emerging technologies or innovations in geotechnical engineering that excite you?
I’m very keen to see how autonomous / remotely operated offshore survey equipment performs. This could dramatically reduce survey costs and improve safety if we are able to limit the number of people we send offshore to gather data. I’m also keeping a close eye on the AI space and how we might be able to leverage developments in LLMs to support strategic decision making.
How does your work enhance OWC’s service offerings in Australia?
I bring valuable offshore wind experience to the local Australian market, having spent time working with OWC in London. During this time, I had the opportunity to develop my skills through a hands-on, collaborative approach fostered by OWC, where I worked alongside some of the industry’s leading professionals. This experience has equipped me with deep technical knowledge and a practical understanding of project delivery in a high-performing, fast-paced environment.
What’s been a recent highlight for you within your work at the ABL Group?
I’m very fortunate to commute into the office by ferry.
This makes for a nice change from the cold mornings cycling in London and something I’m grateful for every day!