Samantha Stephens
Director, Industrial Simulation and Analytics, APAC and EMEA, Worley Consulting
No two projects are ever the same. Every new challenge is a chance to solve a problem and keep critical assets online.
Pushing the boundaries of simulation
Samantha Stephens joined Worley in 2008 and is the Director of Industrial Simulation and Analytics, based out of Melbourne.
“I’ve always enjoyed working at the intersection of technical problem-solving and people,” shares Samatha. “You get the best outcomes when you understand both the technical analysis and the reality of how teams and assets operate. We get a real buzz solving the curveball challenges customers bring to us – the ones that don’t come with a playbook.”
From repeat crack propagation that won’t go away, to semiconductor chip cooling optimization, structural damage analysis and economic or resilience option modelling across complex infrastructure business cases – the work is always different, always challenging and hugely valuable to our customers.
That appetite for tough problems has shaped Samantha’s career at Worley. A cross‑team initiative she led on a green energy project became one of the region’s most successful programs – combining structural design and advanced installation analysis to streamline simulation delivery and lift project performance.
Shaping simulation support for critical operations
Today, Samantha leads a team of highly specialized subject matter experts who use advanced analysis techniques to get to the heart of customers’ operational challenges. The team supports operations and delivers a range of simulations across hydrocarbons, chemicals, minerals and mining – providing insight where traditional engineering tools reach their limits.
“Our role is to understand what’s really happening inside an asset,” Samantha explains. “When conventional tools can’t answer the question, simulation helps us see the full picture.”
Much of the team’s work is fast-turnaround support to help customers keep assets operating safely and reliably. This includes Fitness for Service (FFS) assessments for static equipment operating beyond design limits – where customers are running at risk and need answers fast – as well as rapid shutdown support. That pace brings constant scheduling pressure, but the team rallies around each other and ‘pulls every lever’ to help customers in a timely manner. “There’s a real sense of shared responsibility to help customers keep their operations running,” she shares.
Simulation-first insights for a changing industry
A defining early experience shaped Samantha's understanding that data integrity is key to successful engineering simulation. Early in her career, she worked on a project where the available input data didn’t reflect the realities of the operating environment. Despite efforts to refine the assumptions, the team had to proceed with limited information – and the outputs ultimately fell short on what was needed. It was a pivotal lesson. Today, she leads her group with a focus on methodical accuracy and cross-functional partnership, ensuring that every model is a dependable tool for innovation.
Looking ahead
Samantha sees simulations as an essential tool for understanding, optimizing and managing complex assets and processes. A simulation-first approach allows customers to test scenarios safely – from improving performance and reducing cost and downtime to exploring options for lower‑emission haulage fleets and evolving ESG requirements.
“Simulation gives customers the confidence to ask, ‘what if’ without putting the asset at risk,” she says. “That’s incredibly powerful.”
With rapid advances in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, she expects simulation to become a standard part of decision-making, used earlier and more consistently across the asset lifecycle.
“The earlier we bring simulation in, the more value it creates,” Samantha says. “It helps reduce rework, manage uncertainty, and support better decisions over the long term.”
Meet our digital solutions team
John Cumming
Director Center of Excellence, Data and the Digital Asset, Worley Consulting
Read John's story
Juanita Neufeld
Director, Business and Customer Experience
Read Juanita's story
Paul Hodson
Senior Vice President, Digital Consulting
Read Paul's story
John Cumming
Director Center of Excellence, Data and the Digital Asset, Worley Consulting
Read John's story
Juanita Neufeld
Director, Business and Customer Experience
Read Juanita's story
Paul Hodson
Senior Vice President, Digital Consulting
Read Paul's story
Eduardo Bermudez
Director of Digital Asset, Simulation and Analytics for the Americas
Read Ed's story
Richard Fiorante
Vice President, Digital Consulting Americas
Read Richard's story
Alberto Serrano
Senior Advisor and digital twin subject matter expert
Read Alberto's profile
Serge Gedeon
Business Operations & Execution
Read Serge's story
Abel Martinez
Technical Director, Worley Consulting - Digital Solutions, Americas
Read Abel's story