KLA-Tencor Reviews

Pros

Interesting co-workers, since workforce is very highly educated and very international. Very challenging work, because of cutting-edge technology requirements and a global operational scope. Many people have worked there for more than a decade, and people who left often decide to come back to work there later. The company is large and diverse enough that you can grow your career without leaving the company. It also offers a wide variety of internal and external training options to help people keep growing their skills. The management is very disciplined about keeping money in the bank and being prepared for anything. Most products are #1 or #2 in their category. Just about any computer chip anywhere has made many trips through KLA-Tencor equipment during manufacturing. KLA-Tencor is also diversifying into related measurement applications, such as solar and LED manufacturing equipment. It's satisfying to work for a company that is a major exporter from the US, and which makes products which are tangible, highly complex, industry-leading, and necessary for the progress of the industries it serves.

Cons

The semiconductor capital equipment industry is very cyclical. While KLA-Tencor has tried to structure itself to minimize the impact, inevitably in up times the company grows, and in down times the company lays off people. It's a demanding industry with demanding deadlines. Hours can be long. Meetings can be at inconvenient times due to globalization. The corporate culture is oriented to techies and drivers, some people would feel it's impersonal and tough. Employees are constantly being asked to adapt and change, and do more with less. Standing still in this industry would quickly lead to decline.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the focus on developing and appreciating your people. This company needs its long-term workforce because the jobs are so complex, and we need new learning and new ideas because the business keeps changing.

Pros

As mentioned best company to learn and try new things if you want.
Some groups are amazing to work for and some not so good but good diversity as a corporation KLA Tencor offer different sub divisions so it gives a feel for things, where you can feel like you are working for a startup or well oil machine in a large division.

Cons

Not the best paying company, very conservative in salary but provides plenty of chances to grow from within in different roles.

Advice to Senior Management

Talent retention, please ensure some top people stay with the company as they help the most during downturns and of course upturns :)

Pros

To participate a fast paste company to develop leading edge inspection technology for semiconductor industry worldwide, and to be part of the team (engineer team) who is passionated for the job.

Cons

KT is an equipment vendor, it's at the bottom of the food chain. The pressure is constantly on, top down. It is almost impossible to have work life balance.

Advice to Senior Management

KT is a place that has overwhelming talented people and overwhelming politics. Keep the talented people yet reduce unnecessary politics will help the company growth much stronger.

Pros

You get to work on the most high-tech equipment and technology in the world. There is no other product out there that nearly competes with KT. When working on developing new products, you can use "new" s/w technologies and implement them into the system. Product development teams are diverse and well structured.

Very team oriented. Low attrition rates by upper level senior engineers, not much turnover by them at least. Lots of Phd's work here. Top notch R&D. Impressive cleanroom facilities. Walking distance to Ranch99 Milpitas so you get your lunch from any chinese restaurant of your choice. Has tennis, basketball, and volleyball on-site leagues. Running trails on nearby levy.

Excellent training programs, and ability to get reimbursed tuition.

Cons

Due to the highly complex nature of our product, you might be a specialist in your domain and only work on one aspect of the system, and there is not much growth or career advancement out of that spot. Sure you might want to explore other areas of the complex system, but it becomes political, if you start taking work from another group's manager.

Once a product has been passed down from engineering to manufacturing, software configuration management and tracking is crucial. Instead of doing development work, you might be debugging code, and trying to negotiate for machine time, i.e. if you get high priority from management. Probably 40% was developing product, and the other 60% is process control and ensuring mfg is supported.

Sure, you get yearly performance reviews, but even with you have to be a 80-90% percentile in ranking class you rarely get promotion or raises. Instead as an incentive they give you RSU stock. Yeah who cares about that, it has a 4 year maturity. Compensation when compared to others is 10-20% below market.

Over past years, there has not been any pay-raises, but I guess that is aligned with this semi-con industry. Lots of old-timers here in the engineering dept (with 10,15,20 yrs or more seniority). Suppose that is a downside of working here, since there is lack of innovation from younger recruits. Compared K-T to Google or Ebay, etc. where there is a lot of innovation and motivation. Here you are likely to see a lot of old-timers in mid/late-30-40s. There seems to be too many top-heavy engineers, but very little or low numbers of entry to mid-level engineers.

Advice to Senior Management

Please work on employee talent, retention, and development. Make compensation at market prices or you won't see many engineers stay here for very long.

Pros

Good in domain and market leadership
Good in employee growth
If you have talent you have a great way ahead.
Foreign travel is good.

Cons

Management tries to exploit freshers because of its inefficient management.
Package is less compared to markets and profit sharing is not coming down to lowest contributors .

Advice to Senior Management

Try to recruit reasonable and able managers increase the stakes for individual contributors.

Pros

- relatively stable
- good training program

Cons

- Politics in middle management
- Below market compensation. Mine is 15~20% below market, which is an extreme case, since I joined as NCG right before the salary freeze. But note that I got highest performance rating in ALL focal reviews so far.

Advice to Senior Management

How could KT keep talented people with this kind of compensation structure? It's not about money, it's about fairness and respect. When I can get paid 20% higher at other companies, why KT treat me like a junior engineer? I know KT has been suffering from it - very hard to hire capable people, since they usually have multiple offers, and KT's won't be the top ones. Many colleges quit for other offers.

Pros

Flexible work schedules.
Get to work with great people.
Focus on teamwork.
Company is well-managed and able to remain stable even through the ups and downs of the semiconductor industry.

Cons

Base pay is lower than market.
Much of Senior Management has been at the company for a very long time. Some fresh perspective at the top might be beneficial.

Advice to Senior Management

The CEO change several years back has made a positive impact on the culture at KLA-Tencor. Employees are not fearful of our leadership. Keep up the good work.

Pros

Large office enhances efficiency while harms privacy; good quality system and colleagues, fair boss.

Cons

no cafeteria, telephone noise, no privacy, too many engineering changes, not excited career growth.

Advice to Senior Management

better communication among different functions.

Pros

Excellent benefits from the start and great people.

Cons

No cons so far. I'm fairly new but every place has its struggles and KLA is no different.

Advice to Senior Management

None so far. I have limited access to mid and upper level management. I expect to have some ideas as I become more familiar with the goings on. I despise gossip and am open minded so I will report the truth as I see it.

Pros

- Well financially managed company
- Smart people
- Good intent

Cons

- Poor compensation
- Questionable management decisions
- Tough market
- No low end strategy

Advice to Senior Management

Shore up your low-end strategy or you will be eaten from below.
Pay people what they are worth.