It might not be "luck" but it certainly is privilege, I would call it "Economic/Wealth privilege". Which isn't to say it means purely rich vs poor, but it's much easier to be in an environment that fosters "knowing the right people" if you have economic privilege. Although not impossible, certainly unequal.

Let's add some more context: high school, the guy in question was a former student of one of my teachers from a few years before who visited from time to time. I chatted with him occasionally in class. Later in college I found out he worked for a local tech company, which was pretty rare in that area. Got a recommendation, got the job.

It was luck.

You apparently found him interesting enough to keep up on his activities after graduating, put enough effort into making a good impression that he was willing to recommend you, and took advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself. Not everyone would. Was there some luck involved? Sure. There always is. But it wasn't all luck.