Mechanical Engineer · Sydney, AU

Andre
Volpato.

From vehicle simulation to on-track testing.
I help turn complex engineering questions into practical, evidence-based decisions.

Explore my experience ↓Get in touch
Portrait of Andre Volpato
Engineering, in practice.01 / AV
Engineering ConsultantRail Confidence · 2022–present
Mechanical EngineeringUNSW · Honours · Distinction
Member, Engineers AustraliaMIEAust
01About

Analysis.
Assurance.
Application.

I’m a mechanical engineer with more than four years of experience across rail consultancy and major transport infrastructure.

At Rail Confidence, my work brings together vehicle dynamics simulation, hands-on testing and technical compliance. I use engineering analysis to understand how rollingstock behaves, assess its suitability for Australian networks and communicate the evidence clearly.

A secondment with MTR on Sydney Metro City & Southwest also gave me experience at the interface between design, construction and operational readiness.

Vehicle dynamicsVampire ProTesting & validationStructural analysisTechnical assurance

Experience

02From analysis to delivery
JAN 2022 — PRESENT
Rail Confidence

Engineering Consultant

Supporting rollingstock acceptance and engineering assessments through simulation, testing, design analysis and technical reporting.

  • Vehicle dynamics simulations in Vampire Pro, including wagon pitch and bounce and lateral track shifting forces.
  • Network acceptance calculations covering curve stability, bogie X-factor, P2 forces and rail contact stresses.
  • Site and factory acceptance testing, static and dynamic fleet assessments, and compliance documentation.
  • CAD clearance modelling, swept path analysis, structural FEA and manufacturing drawings.
NOV 2022 — MAR 2024
MTR Corporation Australia

Site Engineer / Secondment

Sydney Metro City & Southwest · Trains, Systems, Operations and Maintenance package.

  • Coordinated installation interfaces and completions for signalling, communications and tunnel systems under TRIP.
  • Inspected built infrastructure against approved designs and supported defect resolution and operational readiness.
  • Worked with principal contractors and client teams to coordinate delivery, programme reporting and safety requirements.
2017 — 2021
De Martin & Gasparini

Administrator

Supported concrete construction projects through drawing change assessments, quantity estimates, variation pricing, budget tracking and quality assurance documentation.

Selected engineering work

03Areas of practice
01 / Simulation

Understanding vehicle behaviour

Multibody dynamic modelling to investigate wagon response and wheel–rail interaction.

Explore the work

Pitch and bounce assessments for wagons and lateral track shifting force simulations for infrastructure machinery, including rail grinders. Tools include Vampire Pro, with Mtrain used for bulk commodity train fuel usage modelling.

Vampire Pro transient analysis comparing wheelset lateral displacement relative to the rails at speeds of 70 to 110 km/h.View full-size plot ↗
Vampire Pro transient analysis · Wheelset lateral displacement at 70–110 km/h.
02 / Testing & acceptance

Taking analysis to the track

Physical testing and engineering calculations to support safe network acceptance.

Explore the work

Site acceptance testing of infrastructure maintenance vehicles, road–rail vehicles and trolleys, alongside factory acceptance witnessing and static and dynamic testing for Mariyung fleet commissioning assessments.

03 / Design & verification

Checking the detail

Structural analysis and clearance modelling grounded in practical design requirements.

Explore the work

Vehicle-to-vehicle and curved platform clearance, kinematic envelopes and swept paths; structural analysis for vehicle modifications; axle stress and fatigue calculations; and manufacturing drawings for a brake cylinder force test rig.

Ideas worth sharing

04CORE2026
Featured paper

Before Things
Go Off the Rails

Shedding Light on Dynamic Vehicle Simulation

My CORE2026 paper, available to read via the link shared with presentation attendees.

Read the CORE2026 paper
05Education & membership

Bachelor of Engineering
(Mechanical), Honours

University of New South Wales · Distinction

Member, Engineers Australia (MIEAust)

Standards development
Contributed to the development group for AS 7509.

Engineering toolkit
Vampire ProSolidWorks & SimulationCAD & FEAMtrainBluebeam RevuExcelTechnical reportingAustralian rail standards

Outside engineering, I enjoy running, football and getting outdoors.

06Contact

Let’s connect.

For engineering conversations,
professional opportunities or a follow-up to CORE.

andre.volpato210@gmail.comConnect on LinkedInDownload my CV / Updated November 2026 · PDF↓