The Born Identity – Craig Lonsdale

Craig Lonsdale Selfie

This month, we sat with Craig, a Senior Software Developer here at Scantek. 

A problem solver, family man and all-round awesome human being, Craig has been a part of the Scantek tribe for over two years. 

Get to know Craig a little better in the Born Identity.

How long have you worked at Scantek

Two years and change.

What is your job title, and what does your job entail?

Senior Software Developer. My job is to take a picture of a document, help to figure out what it says, why it’s wrong and try and fix it. It involves a lot of guesstimating and shaking data around until it falls into place.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the freedom I get to solve problems that haven’t been solved yet. I also get to know the intricacies of systems and figure out how they tick. Learn why they do right and what they do wrong, and how that will affect what I want to do.

What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?

Nobody really knows what they are doing, and we are all building the bridge while we walk across it.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

I probably would have been a musician. I find music and Software Engineering have a lot of overlap. There is lots of math, problem-solving and pretending the mistakes you made were on purpose if they turn out well.

Craig Lonsdale with his wife

Craig and his wife Michaella

Craig Lonsdale with his kids
The Born Identity: Craig Lonsdale Kids Burn Fire
Craig Lonsdale Family
Craig Lonsdale performing trumpet
Craig Lonsdale captured her beautiful smile.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

When I’m not working, I enjoy hanging out with my family. I like gardening a lot, and I still get out there and try to play live music as much as I can.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I used to be a competition pistol shooter and represented Western Australia at a few National Championships.

Where’s your favourite place in the world?

Anywhere where I can’t hear the people, I don’t have to hear the people I’m not directly interacting with. I like the bush and the ocean (but I hate the sun). As long as I have space, I’m happy.


What is your motto or personal mantra?

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Fidel Castro. I’m interested in revolutionary movements, and from interviews I’ve seen from him, he seems very charismatic and seems like he would be fun to have a few drinks with.

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“I find music and Software Engineering have a lot of overlap. There is lots of math, problem-solving and pretending the mistakes you made were on purpose if they turn out well.”

Three words to best describe you.

Pessimistic, Optimistic and frustrated.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

On a superficial level, Headphones. I need my own space even when I’m surrounded by people. On a more personal level, I have to say, my family. 

What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you, love?

I’m not ashamed of anything I watch; when I was younger, I would have been, but I think I’ve learned that it’s OK to enjoy things. I would have, in the past, been too ashamed to say that I love musicals a lot.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

It’s pretty cliche, but I would say flying. That probably stems from the desire to be allowed to have my own space and decide when I can come back down and engage with people.

What is one food that you cannot resist?

Curries, I love foods with lots of spices and flavours in them.

Craig Lonsdale Selfie