Dr Hoffmann is a Professor Practice in the Department of Engineering, having a special interest in course quality improvement and external accreditation.  Dr Hoffmann graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, with Honours, and then obtained a PhD from the University of Melbourne, specialising in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

Dr Hoffmann's previous appointments included roles at RMIT University, mostly in the Aerospace Engineering discipline; as Head of Accreditation at Engineers Australia; and as a consultant specialising in engineering education.