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We asked some members of the DisplayLink team why they enjoy working for the company. Read their responses here.
Dan
Senior Firmware Engineer
Along with several members of the development team, Dan joined DisplayLink from Virata/Conexant, having worked extensively in the IPTV industry before that. Dan says: 'it was a great introduction to the company being invited to the summer barbecue two weeks before my joining date'.
One of the things Dan most likes about his job is that it straddles hardware and software (as told by the variety of instrumentation on his desk!). Dan has relished having to implement solutions from both areas and has had to acquire many new skills along the way: 'When I started, taken on to write the USB drivers in the software, I never realised I'd end up helping to verify the silicon designs as well; it's been a great challenge!'.
Dan also finds that the great team spirit makes the work atmosphere very pleasant and is impressed with the good communication and integration between the software and hardware teams developing the reference designs and next generation of silicon.
Being a young father, Dan has also found the company a very sympathetic place to be. 'DisplayLink really looks towards the needs of the employees as people and considers their personal needs and aspirations for development', he says
Gunther
Development Engineer
Gunther graduated with a Dipl.-Ing. in electrical and electronic engineering in Germany.
The things which intrigued him most at university were the design of integrated circuits and low-level driver and real-time programming.
After graduation, he moved to England and worked for Mentor Graphics, creating and maintaining Intellectual Property, focused around computer peripherals.
Seeking a new challenge, Gunther applied to join DisplayLink. 'When I first saw their web pages, I couldn't quite see the potential of the product. But it kept nagging me, and after a few days I got really excited about it. And I was really impressed when I first saw a product demonstration!'
Gunther particularly enjoys the team spirit at DisplayLink. 'The hardware and software teams get on very well together.
I also prefer to work for smaller companies, where suggestions are appreciated and my work has a tangible impact on the product'.
Krzysztof
Development Engineer
Krzysztof moved to Cambridge from Poland to join DisplayLink.
The assistance he received from the HR department during the relocation process impressed him greatly and he soon felt at home in his new surroundings.
Having previously worked for BenQ Mobile R&D as a system programmer, Krzysztof saw DisplayLink as an ideal company to apply the skills he had – and develop some new ones.
The concept of connecting displays without wires impressed him greatly, as did the enthusiasm and energy of the development team.
As Krzysztof explains: 'I get to work with people who are really passionate about what they do and really get to the core of the operating system to make everything work properly'.
Mary-Ann
Development Engineer
Mary-Ann got her first taste of programming during her Mathematics degree at Cambridge University.
She then did the 4th year "Certificate of Advanced Mathematics" at Cambridge before joining the Cambridge Technology Group / XJTAG.
With a background in low-level software / firmware, Mary-Ann moved to DisplayLink for a fresh challenge in an up-and-coming company with some great products.
She was particularly attracted by the emphasis on personal and career development.
As a firmware engineer in the ASIC team at DisplayLink, Mary-Ann spends her time 'getting the hardware to talk to the software' in a variety of different ways.
Paul
Team Leader
Following a Computer Science degree at Cambridge University, Paul started work at what was then the Olivetti and Oracle Research Lab in Cambridge. After five years of 'wacky projects', the renamed AT&T Lab closed and Paul moved on to fresh challenges.
He is now Team Leader for the Firmware and Embedded Software group at DisplayLink, making him responsible, in his words, for 'anything that falls between the Hardware and Software teams'.
Paul describes DisplayLink as 'a friendly company with an exciting product and a rapid development cycle'. The challenge of working for such a dynamic young company where everyone has an impact on the final product was a key factor in his decision to join DisplayLink.
So how does Paul summarise life at DisplayLink? 'The people here are all smart and the work, while demanding, is very stimulating and refreshing. This company really is going places'.
Ric
Senior Development Engineer
Ric has a Degree in mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge, followed by 15 years in various software companies, two start-ups in the Cambridge area - i2, and Transversal.
In his role as a Senior Development Engineer at DisplayLink, Ric mainly writes the high level applications built upon the company's technology platform.
He's also a resource for technical C++ knowledge and language standards, and for spreading 'best practice' through the software team by organising monthly software forums, encouraging use of test driven development, and keeping an eye on external resources such as the programming newsgroups and associations such as the ACCU.
What attracted Ric to DisplayLink? 'I've always preferred smaller companies, where you get the chance to do a wider range of tasks, and make a major difference,' he says. 'DisplayLink's technology looked interesting.
The fast-moving and positive team environment gives great opportunities to make suggestions, see your work appreciated, your code used quickly, and turn up in products that get great feedback from outside. You work hard, but you get to see the results very fast'.
Ric is also impressed with the company's supportive approach to furthering his knowledge, via training, association memberships, and attending/speaking at conferences. The excellent office location also means he can easily get out of the office, walk the dog, and do some shopping to increase yet further his CD and DVD collection.