Can you imagine what it would be like to develop cutting-edge technology no one has experienced before? On the Reality Labs (RL) team in Cork, Ireland, and in partner sites across the UK and Europe, team members are solving novel challenges to build AR/VR technology that will bring people together in meaningful new ways.
Together, the team—a diverse group of hardware product engineers, process managers, quality engineers and research scientists—is pushing the envelope of
what's possible.
Alexandra R., working from home in Ireland.
“Remember watching Minority Report, or similar science fiction movies, about 10 years ago?” Alexandra R., strategic sourcing manager, asks. “I remember seeing the amazing technology in those movies then and thinking about it again when I first joined Meta. Here in Cork, we think about the future every day. We’re encouraged to get outside of our comfort zone, and leadership really empowers us to feel confident doing it.”
Behind the scenes with the Reality Labs team
From research and development to engineering, RL team members in Cork collaborate closely with each other and across other sites in Europe to drive innovation forward.
Kate K., Research Engineering Manager, at the office in Cork, Ireland.
Kate K., research engineering manager, has been with Reality Labs for three years and says she’s been impressed by how the team has transformed during her tenure. “We’re a bit unique compared to the rest of the company in that RL has evolved extremely quickly,” she notes. “I remember showing up to an empty room full of tools when I first joined RL a few years ago. Seeing that room grow into an incredible lab and our small group of colleagues turn into a thriving team has been immensely satisfying for me personally. Even more, we’re building products that have the potential to change the world.”
Ellen O., quality engineer, echoes Kate and shares a specific example of her team’s recent work. “Nearly every product developed by the display technologies team is a first-of-its-kind—with nothing else like it in existence today,” she proudly shares. “The current headset is incredible. You can watch Netflix, virtually place yourself in the middle of Tokyo, or have an intimate family dinner in the middle of Europe. It’s incredibly surreal to find yourself in these situations that feel so real.”
Ellen O., enjoying a visit to Rock of Cashel in Ireland.
“We’re always imagining what’s next, and right now, we're developing the next generation of Oculus”
“From the overall design and how it’s worn to when people want to use it and how they stay close to the people and things they love, we’re thinking about everyday use cases that will make it as delightful as possible to use.”
For Michaela W., process development engineer, being able to see the tangible, real-world impact of the work coming out of Cork drew her to move across the world for her role. “When Meta offered me a position on the RL team, I didn’t hesitate,” she remembers. “I made the quick decision to move from the US to Cork, and I still can’t believe I get the chance to touch, build, and develop new products that I know people in my life will actually use.”
Michaela W. enjoying a hike through the Kerry Way, a long distance hiking trail in Ireland.
A supportive culture that inspires innovation
The fast-paced, empowering culture on the display technologies team breeds autonomy, diversity of thought, and cross-functional collaboration, which draws team members from all over the world to work on exciting projects. ”
Aziz T., research engineer, shares, “While we each have the autonomy to own projects and uncover solutions our own way, we all see the value in collective ideas and different perspectives. That’s something that has really set my experience at RL apart. When smart, passionate people are able to work together well, we can make anything happen.”
Aziz T. on the Beara Peninsula near Castletownbere in Co. Cork, one of his favorite local places.
At RL, people are encouraged to voice their opinions and help shape product development. Aziz continues, “I love being part of a diverse team. Everyone brings their unique expertise to the table, which allows us to come up with the best possible real-time solutions.”
For Ellen, working on the RL team in Ireland is the best of two different worlds. “You get all the benefits of a large company: access to limitless resources, the ability to drive measurable impact, and being empowered to truly mold your career. But here in Cork, it can also feel like a small start-up. I love that our team is small but mighty, and we’re close with our coworkers. It often feels like one big family.”
This post, originally published on August 10, 2021, was updated on June 14, 2022, to reflect our shift to Meta and new details about team members, roles and responsibilities.