When Luke McMahon left Scotland for Australia, he wasn’t chasing the sun, he was looking for challenge, variety, and a chance to grow. 

Now based in Brisbane with CJC, Luke has joined a team known for tackling complex civil and infrastructure projects across Australia and he’s relishing the opportunity to contribute to that work while learning the nuances of engineering in a new country. 

From Curiosity to Career 

Luke’s interest in engineering began with a love of maths, physics, and problem-solving. His early experience spanned rail, bridges, and highways, working across technical design, optioneering, and project management. He quickly developed a balanced skill set, combining technical expertise with the communication and collaboration skills essential in multi-disciplinary environments. 

During his time with CaSE UK, Luke worked on some technically demanding projects, including the Coire Glas Enabling Works Design, delivered to 50% completion, and the Cotton Tree Lane Temporary Works package. 

He credits these projects, and the mentorship of senior engineers like Colin Henderson, Managing Director of CaSE UK and Calum Henderson, General Manager of CaSE UK, for helping him refine his approach to design and project delivery. 

“The best part of working with great people is learning from their different approaches to problem solving,” he says. “Those experiences really shape the way I think as an engineer.” 

A Global Move, A New Chapter Down Under 

Luke’s move to Australia came through a long-standing connection with Colin Calder, whom he met years earlier in Aberdeen. After completing his studies and building industry experience, Luke reached out to discuss the idea of working in Australia – and the rest followed naturally. 

Before relocating, Luke spent six months with the CaSE team in the UK, completing the Coire Glas project. That period provided valuable experience and gave him insight into the collaboration that defines the broader CABER Group. 

Now part of CJC in Brisbane, Luke is settling into life in Queensland, discovering the city’s subtropical rhythm and adapting to its engineering environment. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect before I came out,” he says, “but I’m keen to experience all the city and the projects here have to offer.” 

When Sam joined CJC, she brought with her valuable experience in tendering for construction project management, along with fresh eyes and an eagerness to deepen her understanding of our complex industry. She stepped into a role that challenged her to blend technical precision with creative strategy, and found a team environment that embraced both.

As a Business Development Coordinator, Sam plays a key role in how CJC communicates its value across major infrastructure sectors including airports, ports, rail, and international projects. Based in Sydney, she’s part of a fast-moving business with a strong national and global footprint, and her work is embedded in projects that matter to people’s lives. 

Working Across Business Units 

At CJC, no two days are the same. “You have to mentally compartmentalise between different parts of the business,” Sam explains. With multiple business units across CJC and expanding international teams in Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Europe, and New Zealand, her role demands constant strategic adaptation. Sam helps translate team insights into compelling client proposals and presentations. She thrives on hearing technical experts talk passionately about their work and then shaping those ideas into solutions for government and industry. 

The Human Side of Engineering 

One of Sam’s biggest surprises has been the culture. “I expected a more traditional corporate structure but was surprised by the culture; the openness and generosity of CJC’s leadership is something you don’t often see elsewhere.” she says. The openness and trust in others from the Leadership team, with mention to Craig Stoddart, Michael Eager, Colin Calder, and Pushpa Nadanapatham, as well as Orla O’Sullivan, Business Development Manager, have shaped a workplace culture that defies typical industry norms. 

It’s not just the technical challenges that matter, it’s the impact. A site visit to an integral project in rural NSW, Australia, made that clear. Seeing how a deteriorating road created dangerous conditions for residents and essential services reinforced the importance of infrastructure decisions. “You see how something that seems small like a road failure can affect a whole community’s safety and access,” she reflects. 

Sharpening Skills and Growing with the Business 

In her role, Sam relies heavily on communication, time management, and coordination – soft skills that are critical in an industry that requires precision. “You need to make sure you’re constantly asking the right questions,” she explains. “My job is to blend technical capability with creative direction.” 

She’s played a crucial role in rebuilding CJC’s tender process from the ground up; rethinking how the business approaches opportunities, introducing structured pre-bid meeting strategies, and developing presentation materials. It’s a space she finds energising: “It’s rewarding to help shape something from the ground up and see the impact it has.” 

Her proudest moment so far is helping to win a consequential project in Dubai for CJC. “I supported the proposal, built the presentation deck, etc… and we got it,” she says. The project, whose details we cannot yet elaborate on, was outside the team’s usual scope, but certainly within our capability. That first project has since opened the door to rapid growth in the Middle East, “more than tripling our team there in six months.” 

Looking Ahead 

Sam is also excited about the growing footprint in regional Australia. “Airports in remote and regional areas serve as much more than mere transport hubs; they’re links to emergency services and regional resilience,” she notes. 

Her role continues to evolve as the business scales. “CJC is at a pivotal and rapid growth point where everything we’re doing now will shape the next few years. It’s exciting to be part of that.” 

Sam’s journey underscores the importance of adaptability, culture, and collaboration. And in the world of civil engineering, where projects can affect entire communities, those traits are just as vital as any technical skill. 

If you’d like to be part of a company of experts which values skills beyond the technical, visit our careers page. 

Heathrow’s “shovel-ready” third runway plans mark a pivotal moment for UK infrastructure. The £21 billion proposal, part of a wider £50 billion investment, would reroute the M25, add 750 daily flights and boost capacity to 150 million passengers a year. Backed by major business groups and government, the project promises 100,000 jobs. Yet environmental groups and local authorities warn it clashes with the UK’s net-zero goals. 

This isn’t just about planes. It’s about balancing growth and sustainability. Is it possible to deliver large-scale infrastructure and still meet carbon targets? Could a stronger focus on low-carbon aviation fuels or more stringent noise-mitigation measures bridge the gap? 

We’d love to hear from fellow engineers and planners: what innovations or policy shifts would make you confident in backing Heathrow’s expansion? 

Celebrating a successful and valuable roadshow and networking series

Our 2024 roadshow event series has wrapped up, leaving a lasting impression across major cities in Australia and New Zealand. With stops in Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, and Brisbane, this year’s event showcased the latest advancements in digital construction, collaborative engineering, and innovation, driving discussions that will shape the future of the construction industry.

Hosted by CJC Management, the roadshow provided a platform for industry leaders, clients, and partners to come together and explore how cutting-edge technology is revolutionising the way we approach construction and project management.

The word ‘engineer’ can define more than a professional title.

We asked our team members Robert Koch, Rachael Oertel, and Stephenson Chau the attributes that contribute to a good engineer. There are many great qualities that contribute to being good at your profession as an engineer, from being able to think strategically, work collaboratively, responsibility and having strong technical skills.

Let’s hear what our team members think about this!

Robert Koch, Principal (Structures)

“An engineer is a person who has the knowledge and skill to change the world in meaningful and positive ways through understanding and harnessing nature for the betterment of society.

A good engineer has a responsible, caring and concerned attitude, a committed understanding of his or her obligations to a client, society and the environment, and acts with integrity and purpose.”

Rachael Oertel, Project Engineer

“An engineer certainly requires technical skills for the day-to-day tasks, but it is the soft skills that are often under-valued but essential for progression in this field of work.

How good an engineer’s soft skills are will influence how well that person can work or interact with others, determine that person’s dependability and emotional intelligence, and determine how well they can manage teams.”

Stephenson Chau, Senior Project Engineer

“I think what makes a good engineer is their ability to think strategically, systematically and applying the thoughts to real life scenario. Also to apply theoretical knowledge to solve physical issues.”