Political to the detriment of business - Engineer KLA Employee Review

1.0
Dec 1, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are a number of very bright people at the individual contributor level who are a delight to work with and from whom much can be learned. Their education reimbursement program is very generous and pretty freely available but, the caveat is you must have a manager who is willing to allow you to participate.

Cons

The environment is very, very political much to the detriment of business. There is an popular saying around the company that, "it isn't what you know, but what people think you know that determines your fate in the company." Tsk, tsk. There is no mentoring of new engineers. Though the company likes to advertise that it employs that brightest and the best, don't believe it. It is only true in some divisions-mediocrity rules the day in others.

Explore other reviews about KLA

5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong technical depth and industry leadership. Talented colleagues and meaningful work.

Cons

Organizational processes can be relatively conservative. The skills developed are highly valuable within semiconductor equipment and imaging-related industries but may be less directly transferable to unrelated sectors.

1.0
May 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you’re looking for a place where accountability doesn’t exist and you can do the bare minimum while getting paid maximum overtime, this is your spot. No approval needed, no questions asked—just stay late, watch YouTube, and collect your paycheck (plus free food if you linger long enough). Weekends are basically a free-for-all since the people who are supposed to supervise are either absent or the worst offenders.

Cons

This place is what happens when a parent company buys a smaller one and then completely forgets it exists. There is zero meaningful oversight. Management knows exactly what’s going on—they just don’t care as long as quotas are eventually met. Efficiency, integrity, and actual productivity mean nothing here. Documentation is either nonexistent or completely useless, full of errors and missing critical information. Parts are constantly missing, and instead of fixing the system, people exploit it to justify delays and stretch their hours. The entire operation rewards time-wasting over competence. The culture actively punishes anyone who tries to work a normal, honest 8-hour day. Want recognition or a raise? Better start padding your hours. The more time you burn, the more management “appreciates” you. It’s not about results—it’s about how long you can pretend to be working. Managers, being salaried, conveniently disappear when it matters most—nights and weekends—while turning a blind eye to the dysfunction they fully understand. Leadership isn’t absent by accident; it’s absent by choice.

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