KLA-Tencor Reviews

Pros

Company builds high quality metrology and defect inspection products. They plan their product life cycle well. They have a good application/marketing team that figure out what the industry needs, and a excellent engineer team that build really amazing tools and software. The salary, benefits and educational opportunities are very good.

Cons

There are a lot of tribal knowledge, that some older workers hold on to for job security, and makes it hard for new people to get up to speed and contribute. It's a good company that has lots of cash, so it hire people that are over qualified for their role, and as a result, can get bored.

Advice to Senior Management

Make good use of your employee's talents. There are a number of very smart people that are stuck in boring jobs that doesn't make use of their skills. There are many technical people with Ph.D that want to do technical work. Not every one wants to go to marketing and sales, make technical career path possible for people who wants to persue it.

Pros

Upper management has good holistic view of company. Good compensation and benefits. Good fitness center and health advice and benefits.

Cons

Sometimes communication and overall direction at lower management level seems confused or variable. Makes project completion difficult as target moves.

Advice to Senior Management

I have had 3 managers in 3 years, of which one was very capable. the other 2 not so much.

Pros

Flexible working hour, annual bonus plan or profit sharing, compatible salary.

Cons

Sometimes has to travel to customer site in short notice.

Pros

* Flexible work hours
* Nice market segment
* Research driven work

Cons

* Not a very young and dynamic environment
* Things take a huge amount of time from initial idea to final productization

Advice to Senior Management

NA

Pros

Benefits were above average when I was there
Internal training is a plus
Company gym was refurbished and is of a good quality

Cons

Arbitrary performance evaluations
Poor managers who exhibit unprofessional behavior
Work is unstimulating
Continued push to outsource and demand more and more for less and less

Advice to Senior Management

Treat people with respect and dignity. The values that were upheld in the past no longer seem to matter. I hear the same thing from people who are still there. it continues to get worse

Pros

Fair compensation and benefits, very smart engineering teams, great products. Very challenging problems to work on now and in the future

Cons

Little to no upward mobility and same managers get recycled even after failing. Most managers in roles because of old boys network and lack leadership / charisma. Too safe in decisions - good for short term but mentality prevents risk taking that could lead to real growth.

Advice to Senior Management

Try some new management and fresh ideas. When is the last time real innovation and risk was encouraged? Get rid of managers who demoralize and don't provide leadership. Wake up and try some new management with new ideas

Pros

Fair
Stable
Management in general cares about the employee morale and find ways to motivate employees.

Cons

Lack of growth in semi industry

Advice to Senior Management

Looking for growth opportunities outside semi.

Pros

Very bright people.
Challenging work using latest technology.

Cons

Work life balance is challenging at times.

Advice to Senior Management

Very well managed company.

Pros

Extremely dedicated, intelligent, and talented employees make for a great place to learn.

The company tends to place responsibility on the individual which gives ample room to grow in one's role and develop strong relationships with team members.

Cons

While it is amazing to work with so many talented and intelligent people you may find it difficult to move within, and the company in general tends to run a pretty tight ship.

You really should have a passion (or be willing to develop one) in technology to enjoy your work here (can be a pro depending on how you look at it).

Are absolutely obsessed with meetings and there are many passionate if not outright confrontational-type personalities so be prepared, especially if you're not used to this environment.

The campus is isolated in Milpitas and transportation from other parts of the Bay Area is not great, but this may be a broader concern for the Bay Area in general.

Pros

The business is doing well and there are people outside of IT who who value your work

Cons

Difficult to know where to start when the management is just so appallingly bad. Complete and utter unappreciation for your efforts. Increased use of offshoring and lack of management accountability. Management is very quick to take credit for other peoples work. Projects are managed poorly. People here do not manage. They co-ordinate. The bar is set so low. No motivation for people to improve

Advice to Senior Management

Managememt is making everyones life a misery. You are not helping people grow. You are just in it for yourself