Pros
A small semiconductor equipment manufacturer requires its employees to perform a wide variety of engineering tasks encompassing design, drafting, procurement, manufactured and vendor part verification and validation, assembly, and testing. Aggressive delivery schedules demand close interaction between engineers and technicians (assemblers and machinists) with former frequently performing aftermarket part alteration and/or modification at the on-site machine shop. Senior engineers are well versed in semiconductor equipment design, operation and maintenance possessing wide knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes and practices. Their insightful and helpful advice is often instrumental in task and project completion.
Cons
Perpetual financial difficulties impede timely part and component procurement and frequently lead to "bandaid" solutions to meet delivery deadlines. The latter also precludes robust if any performance benchmarking and validation especially in the case of components (effusion, cracking, and doping sources). As a result the customer is frequently forced to essentially accept prototype versions of products, that do not meet expectations and need to be returned for repairs or unplanned service.
Company management is comprised of the owner and number of supporting sales staff with years of experience albeit outdated. Direct autocratic management style is rigidly maintained and followed. Dissenting ideas or opinions are frequently discounted or ignored based on seniority and hierarchy rather than technical and logical justification and reasoning.