SPONSORED BY KLA CORPORATION December 07, 2020
From Silicon Valley to Ann Arbor: One tech exec's experience Gary White, systems and electrical engineering manager, KLA Corporation In 1971, a reporter named Don Hoefler dubbed the San Francisco Bay Area’s buzzing electronics hotbed as “Silicon Valley,” and our national technology headquarters was officially born. Today, Silicon Valley is widely accepted as the global center for electronics, innovation and venture capital—but that doesn’t make it the only one. Moreover, the proliferation of technology across industries globally has made it clear companies no longer need to only pursue talent living in this region. Accordingly, corporations are waking up to the potential of burgeoning tech hubs around the world, and Ann Arbor is one such market gaining attention. Since 1976, semiconductor capital equipment manufacturer KLA Corporation has been a staple of the Valley alongside neighbors like Hewlett Packard, Intel, NVIDIA, Apple and Oracle. It’s also my employer. As Bay Area native, I never thought I’d call anywhere else home. But, in June of 2019, my organization’s vice president asked me how I’d feel about being part of the effort to bring KLA to the Midwest and establishing the company’s second U.S. headquarters, which would act as a research and development (R&D) center focused on artificial intelligence and equipment development. I accepted, and now over a year later, am happy to say I haven’t looked back since. Many friends and family have been surprised that I took the plunge and left Silicon Valley. “Ann Arbor?” they ask, “Isn’t that where U of M is?” Lucky for me it sure is. Beyond getting to enjoy my job and Ann Arbor’s vibrancy and beauty, living here has also reminded me how much I love college football. The “tech-xodus” from Silicon Valley Most people have likely heard of semiconductors, but many probably don’t really know what they are. For me, working in the field of microelectronics was always part of the
plan. I’ve been constantly building things for as long as I can remember, so it was no surprise to anyone when I become an engineer. While working at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company after college, I repeatedly came across the KLA name and saw the wide variety of opportunities offered to engineers working with semiconductor inspection and manufacturing. I was excited and fortunate when I was eventually offered a position to work with many talented and passionate individuals at KLA. Back then in the ‘90s, semiconductors were the key to manufacturing your favorite video game or seemingly “new-age” personal computer. With the rapid advance of technology in recent decades, the use of semiconductors across industries has since skyrocketed. Today, semiconductors are the building blocks of the chips and circuits powering your smart phone, virtual reality headset, voice-controlled gadget, smart car, and every other electronic device you probably couldn’t live without (admit it). Over my 20-plus years at KLA, I’ve advanced from manufacturing engineer to senior manager, with thanks to the managers, mentors and colleagues who have helped me grow. Now a systems and electrical engineering manager, I help oversee entire projects from ideation to execution. With my relocation to Ann Arbor, I expected only minimal changes knowing I would continue in my existing role. A rewarding surprise has been the sense of community Ann Arbor has provided me both in and outside of the office. Moving to Michigan granted my colleagues and me an incredible opportunity to assemble a brand new team comprised of up-and-coming and veteran engineers alike, in a brand new region for our company. For all the exciting work we get to do in technological innovation, I can honestly say the best part has been giving other engineers the same opportunity given to me two decades earlier: to build a career in an organization that treats you – and trusts you – like family. A well-funded startup This trust speaks directly to one of the most enjoyable aspects of moving to Ann Arbor: We have the opportunity to operate in what I lightheartedly call a “well-funded startup.” While true startups are known for innovation, agility, culture and versatility, there are often inherent disadvantages such as financial risk, lack of scale, and the time and effort required to become known and established. Despite being a four-decades-old corporation, KLA has a unique setup in that our Ann Arbor headquarters has been granted the freedom to operate like its own startup, but still get the funding and resources of a global, enterprise-scale industry leader. KLA’s infrastructure grants us numerous support systems that enable us to be successful. In establishing the Ann Arbor campus, we’ve been able to utilize the knowledge and expertise of our colleagues in other groups in the company, and work with them to flatten our learning curve and accelerate product development. We combine the best of both worlds: the nimbleness of a brand new organization with the resources and pedigree of a well-established enterprise. This allows us to create and drive products that enable some of the world’s most significant technological breakthroughs.
Having this unique ability to create something from scratch with all the resources we could need behind us has been beyond exciting—and fun. Moreover, our team of both new and long-term employees is extremely proud to play a role in establishing KLA’s foothold in our new community. At all levels of the organization, we’re bound by shared goals and challenges while being awarded a work environment and team of all disciplines and cultures. Not unlike the first day of school, we are tackling new contests in a new place but remain driven by shared accomplishment. The sense of comradery our team shares has been the fuel powering our Michigan “startup” in its efforts to find its footing and succeed. Silicon Valley career, Great Lakes style Where Silicon Valley is known for “moving fast and breaking things,” Michigan—home to more methodical development cycles in automotive and military—has allowed me to remain at the forefront of innovation while enjoying A2’s lush outdoors, laidback lifestyle, rich culture and perhaps most importantly, awesome college football! Proximity to talented engineers coming out of universities in the Midwest hasn’t been too bad either. The Bay Area will no doubt continue its legacy as home to innovators, prestigious universities and future-facing investment. It has been an honor to carry the KLA legacy and culture to Michigan. If anything I’ve seen over the last year is true, it’s no doubt that Ann Arbor holds the same opportunities for those seeking a different lifestyle with similar career benefits. I invite everyone to give it a try.