Lucus Mactier

Long before Lucus Mactier learned the language of bridges, his kindergarten teacher had already seen his future – writing “engineer” next to his name.

A graduate of the University of Waikato, Lucus holds a Bachelor of Engineering with first-class honours, specialising in Civil Engineering.

Growing up in Hamilton and attending Fairfield College, Lucus developed an early interest in how things are made and how they work, a curiosity that naturally led him to engineering.

"The subjects I gravitated towards were to do with structure and modelling, mainly because I've always been fascinated by how things hold together. I'd look at something and just want to know what was keeping it up."

One of his highlights at Waikato was his capstone project – designing a 2-metre-tall, 12-metre-long cable bridge, which is now shared among primary schools to inspire students to "study Engineering and be inspired".

Lucus credits his lecturers with helping shape his positive university experience.

At Waikato we have lecturers who go well beyond the norm. You're not just a number to them; you can message them at any time, and they'll actually reply. They genuinely care about your learning.

He also appreciated being encouraged to think differently.

"I think that's tied to Waikato being such a highly ranked research university. If you've got an idea, people here are more open to it."

Now working with specialist bridge design firm DC Structure Studios in Cambridge, Lucus is living out his passion for bridge engineering.

"I'm literally at the best of the best."

As for what comes next? No bridge is too far for Lucus - he's eyeing a long future with the company.