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Life at Arm Bristol: Alex, Dan, and Mario Share Their Stories

Arm’s Bristol office is one of our newest locations in the UK, and it’s already buzzing with energy! Located in the heart of this vibrant city, the Bristol team is a dynamic hub of innovation, known for pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations. Our Bristol team is shaping a unique culture centered around well-being, health, and community engagement, frequently participating in local fundraisers like the Bristol Half Marathon for BRACE Dementia Research and the Bristol Dragon Boat Race supporting Penny Brohn.

Collaboration is at the core of Arm Bristol’s culture, with the fun extending far beyond the office walls. From riverfront cafes to lively food markets and green spaces like Castle Park, our employees enjoy the best of what Bristol has to offer. With so much to explore nearby, the Bristol team has no shortage of local spots to unwind and recharge.

But don’t just take our word for it! We spoke with three Bristol team members—Alex, Dan, and Mario—who shared their personal journeys at Arm, insights into their daily roles, and what makes Arm a perfect fit for them. 

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how your journey at Arm began?

Alex: I’m Alex, I’m a CPU Design Engineer in Bristol. I first heard about Arm when the Raspberry Pi made its debut back in 2012. Since then, it was a company I kept hearing about all the way through my time at university. I’d always been interested in CPU Design and so when I had the chance to apply for a role in Bristol, I knew immediately I had to try.

Dan: I’m Dan Rigby and I am a Staff Engineer. I used to work for Arm some time ago, but I wanted to move to Bristol, so I asked them if they would open an office in Bristol. They didn't do so at the time, but I was excited to hear that they were planning to do so.

Mario: I’m Mario El Gandour Achkar and I’m a Senior Engineer here at Arm Bristol. I had heard from an industry friend that Arm had a new Bristol office while I was looking to move from my current job and so applying was a no-brainer.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Alex: After a coffee it’s down to work. There’s always a new problem to solve, even with working on the larger, more open-ended project items. We have a few recurring meetings over the week and the afternoons are usually when we do whiteboard sessions to try and work out solutions to the problems we’re facing.

Dan: We have a handful of regular meetings, but I spend most of my time problem solving and completing assigned tasks. I would say my line manager is helpful with any problems that arise from time to time and helps me to be more productive. Personally, I feel proud to be working on products that are some of the best in-class.

Mario: I spend my days looking into optimising/designing features to meet power and timing. I get involved in as many socials as possible and we have days where we make and sell food to contribute to a local charity. We also have tournaments (for example foosball) where all contributions are donated. In that sense, I believe Arm have given me more opportunities than any of my previous employers before.

What social opportunities and amenities does the Arm Bristol office offer?

Alex: For a smaller office, we have some great amenities such as the ideal desk-setup, abundance of tea and coffee options and the big south-facing windows giving us natural light all through the day. The food markets and local cafés makes it easy for us to grab a tasty lunch.

Dan: In regard to the Bristol Office, I like the fact that it has table football for recreational breaks, showering facilities for cyclists and the location being a few minutes' walk from Temple Meads Station, making commuting easy. There are several close lunch options such as shops and food markets and is surrounded by countryside with hills and valleys which are great for walking. It is a large enough city to host a variety of clubs and societies; for instance, I have played in several local orchestras over the years.

Mario: Bristol is a very beautiful, inclusive and walkable city. Coming from a different background I feel that everyone here is extremely welcoming. It is not as busy as places like London but also very lively with lots to do. The office is very conveniently located in the centre, and we can just step out to find food trucks for lunch.

Why is Arm the best fit for you?

Alex: I think Arm is a great fit for me for three reasons: The work, the people and the culture. I’m motivated by the pursuit of new and interesting ideas at the cutting edge, with a friendly, open and supportive team, in an environment where I know I can grow as an Engineer. I thrive in a place where open discussion is encouraged, and convention is challenged in order to get to the best results possible. New ideas are nurtured and opportunities to pursue them, or something different, are always available.

Dan: I think Arm is an exciting company to work for which sets itself ambitious targets. It is impressive to see how much it has grown over the years, and I feel proud to be a part of its success.

Mario: Arm provided me with the toolset needed, plenty of workshops and potentially anything that enables you to do the work you're required as well as honing your skills to become better at the job. Arm offers a lot of benefits which include insurance, bike scheme and the ability to acquire extra holidays which I find helpful. It also has a good work culture and my coworkers here have been very supportive.

Find Out More About Life at Arm

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