What was your journey to Arena?

Like many of my colleagues, my path to Arena was not straightforward. After exploring every major I could at the University of Illinois, I finally graduated with a degree in physics and a specialization in business. I followed the logical next step: working at a brewery. I spent several years at Anheuser-Busch, holding various roles in sales and logistics. Eventually, I was offered a transformative opportunity to become a software engineer—despite having no prior experience. I dove headfirst into my newfound passion and never looked back. I then transitioned into the startup world as the first employee at a YC fintech company, before finally finding my home at Arena.

What do you do at Arena? 

I’m a software engineer at Arena, which means I get to wear many hats. We’re laser-focused on building AI that genuinely works for our customers, so our engineers are deeply involved in our users’ businesses. I spend my time meeting with customers to understand the complex manufacturing problems they face, and then translating these insights into tangible features. I also collaborate with machine learning scientists to bring new models to life, and work closely with our business leaders to ensure we’re delivering measurable value. On the technical side, I operate across the entire stack and am constantly growing my development skillset.

Why did you join Arena?

I see most modern AI companies as either R&D think tanks or thin wrappers around large language models. Arena is different: it sits firmly between those extremes, implementing novel machine learning solutions to solve real problems at major companies. The chance to drive tangible business impact with cutting-edge tech was incredibly exciting. Once I met the team, I was hooked. Their passion, intelligence, and camaraderie left no doubt that Arena was the place I wanted to be.

What are you most excited about?

As Arena grows, we’re regularly approached by new clients with fresh challenges. This gives me the chance to immerse myself in new industries and create software that impacts a wide range of domains. AI is already reshaping how we do nearly everything, and for a curious mind, it’s thrilling to imagine how these technologies will be embedded into the largest organizations in the world. Every day offers a new opportunity to learn, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

What is your favorite Arena memory?

When you join Arena, you get to introduce yourself at your first all-hands meeting. I had a special advantage. Arena’s name is inspired by Teddy Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, and I happen to have part of that speech tattooed on me. When I shared this detail, my colleagues erupted in applause. In that moment, I knew I was among like-minded people who truly appreciated the spirit that drives both the speech and the company.

What is your advice for anyone interested in working at Arena?

Arena is all about tackling new problems every day and taking swift action. If you’re interested in joining, highlight experiences where you built new solutions that made a real impact. We value people who can learn and adapt quickly, so don’t worry if you have skill gaps—what’s important is your ability to close them effectively.

An Arena tradition is sharing a hot take: what’s a hot take you have?

The best superhero movie isn’t Marvel or DC — it’s The Incredibles.

Come join us in the Arena! We’re actively hiring for Software Engineers - learn more at arena-ai.com/careers