Nice place to work for, but needs changes - Software Engineer KLA Employee Review

3.0
Sep 16, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- best cross functional teams i ever worked with - great team dynamics. Individual contributors and first level managers are pro-active, smart, hard-working and always ready to jump in and solve problems - very strong in processes, infrastructure and policies (could be a drawback at times) - very detail oriented and project plans are very extensive and heavily scrutinized - people are always willing to learn new things and push their limits to face new challenges - very friendly and helpful peers - great benefits, bonus and stocks - fitness center rocks (esp the complimentary towel service!) - cafeteria has good food options - learning center has excellent courses (for both technical and personal development)

Cons

- senior management is more goal-oriented and less people-oriented - some senior managers are extreme workaholics and set the tone for the team. This is causing morale to sink even lower as people are expected to work nights and weekends to meet deadlines that show up at the last minute - all work and no play. Not many team outings as work stress and schedules are really packed. - sometimes, it feels like you have to give an arm and a leg to get recognition or move up the career ladder. Depending on which division you work for, career growth could be non-existent

Explore other reviews about KLA

5.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everything is good and awesome

Cons

Nothing to complaint about very good atmosphere

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.

3
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