Alumni Profile: Spencer Machinski, Structural Engineer at WSP

Spencer Machinski, ‘23, is using his degree in Civil Engineering from Seattle University to build a successful career as a structural engineer at WSP, a leading global professional services firm. As part of their transportation structures team, he specializes in the design and engineering of critical infrastructures, including bridges, culverts and retaining walls. Machinski’s work allows him to combine technical expertise with a passion for problem-solving and hands-on fieldwork.

Below, Machinski reflects on his career path, the role Seattle University played in preparing him for success and shares valuable advice for students pursuing civil and environmental engineering degrees.

Tell us a bit about the organization you work for.

WSP is a leading global professional services firm, providing engineering, construction management and advisory consulting services in all markets to a wide range of public and private clients. I’m on the transportation structures team, which specializes in structural engineering for transportation infrastructure, including bridges, culverts, and retaining walls.

How would you describe your day-to-day work? What excites you about your field?

My workdays provide two very different experiences: office work and fieldwork. In the office, I’m performing calculations, sketching/marking up drawings and plans, reviewing submittals or Requests for Information (RFIs) and attending meetings—this is what 80-90% of my days are like.

My days in the field are why I chose this career. On field days, I go onsite to observe work being done, check in on construction and completed projects. Additionally, I am a certified bridge inspector, those field days are spent systematically walking around the entirety of a bridge and logging any defects found.

But probably the most rewarding part of my job is seeing one of my designs built and being used. When that first happened, my smile was ear to ear all day long!

How did your Seattle University education prepare you for your work and further studies?

My SU education left me well prepared for the start of my career. Most importantly, it gave me the baseline knowledge I needed to begin a structural engineering job, from basic mechanics, like free body diagrams and force analysis, to more in-depth applied engineering topics like steel and concrete design. If there is any testament to how directly applicable my SU schoolwork was to my career, it would be that I’ve pulled up old homework assignments and used them as step-by-step guides to start analyzing designs at work. I’ve done this for both concrete and steel designs.

Most importantly though, my SU education set me up with problem solving skills. Engineers are first and foremost problem solvers. My education helped me develop a method to break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces to find solutions then build them back together to find solutions for completing a larger task.

What advice do you have for students who are considering civil and environmental engineering as a major?

Be open minded, ask questions (none are bad questions), go to office hours for help, form a study group with people in the major. Know you are not alone, if you are struggling, someone else is as well, and working together can ease stress.

What is your fondest memory from your days as a student at SU?

Some of my favorite memories were when we’d take a break from studying to grab a beer with some friends at The Chieftain and play darts or a round of pool, then head back to knock out some more work.

Another fond memory was reviving the Steel Bridge team at SU. That allowed me to apply principles I was learning in the classroom directly to a project and see it through from beginning to end! I highly encourage everyone choosing the Civil and Environmental Engineering program to get involved with the SU chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and participate in one of their amazing student projects or competitions.

What are your interests outside of work? 

Outside of work I enjoy travelling, hiking, skiing, having fun with friends, hanging out with my dog, and eating lots of good food!

What advice, if any, would you give to incoming or current students?

Remember to give yourself a break. Sometimes you will feel stressed or overwhelmed but remember to take a deep breath and don’t beat yourself up. Make time to do something fun for yourself every week. Video games, going to the gym, going for a walk, playing soccer... just remember that you are human, and you need to do things that make you feel human. Don’t spend all your time studying, HAVE FUN!