📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Product Marketing
🔹 Company: MKS Instruments
🔹 Location: Irvine, CA (with occasional travel to Milpitas, CA)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site
🔹 Category: Semiconductor Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 12+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with potential for occasional hybrid work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the Inspection and Metrology segment's product strategy, sales pipeline, and market growth opportunities
- Collaborating with key customers and internal stakeholders to maximize growth, profit, and customer satisfaction
- Directing the development of market requirements, product strategy, pricing, and business plans
- Conducting market research, monitoring competitive activity, and identifying customer needs
- Providing technical advice and selecting, developing, and evaluating personnel
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own team, product, and segment business success
✅ Develop and lead strategies to maximize growth, profit, and customer satisfaction
✅ Direct the development of market requirements, product strategy, pricing, and business plans
✅ Conduct market research, monitor competitive activity, and identify customer needs
✅ Collaborate with engineering, operations, and sales to enhance existing products and product lines
✅ Lead new product definition and business plans with joint departments
✅ Serve as the technical advisor for specific products assigned
✅ Select, develop, and evaluate personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and team leadership, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree required, Master's degree preferred
Experience: 12+ years of related experience in product marketing or a similar role
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in product marketing, market research, and business strategy
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key customers and internal stakeholders
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software tools
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the semiconductor industry or a related field
- Fluency in additional languages (e.g., Mandarin, Korean, or Japanese)
- Proven experience in managing and developing high-performing teams
ASSUMPTION: While a Master's degree is preferred, candidates with a Bachelor's degree and extensive relevant experience will also be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $175,000 to $250,000 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.
Benefits:
- Health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
- 401(k) with company match
- Life and disability insurance
- 12 paid holidays
- Sick time
- 15 paid vacation days
- 6 weeks fully paid parental leave
- Adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: MKS Instruments operates in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, focusing on enabling technologies that transform the world. The company delivers foundational technology solutions to leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications.
Company Size: MKS Instruments is a large organization with over 10,000 employees globally. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and teams.
Founded: MKS Instruments was founded in 1961 and has since grown to become a publicly-traded company with a strong global presence.
Company Description:
- MKS Instruments enables technologies that transform our world by delivering critical solutions to leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications.
- The company's solutions are designed to improve process performance, optimize productivity, and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies.
- MKS Instruments applies its broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions, and specialty chemicals technology.
Company Specialties:
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
- Optical systems, light sources, sensors, lens assemblies, optics, coating, and manufacturing services
- Process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology
Company Website: www.mks.com
ASSUMPTION: MKS Instruments' large size and diverse product portfolio provide opportunities for career growth and exposure to various technologies and industries.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience and a proven track record in product marketing or a similar role.
Reporting Structure: The Director, Product Marketing reports directly to the Sr. Director of Products for the Systems Irvine Business Unit.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role, with occasional travel to the Milpitas, CA office. There may be opportunities for hybrid work arrangements, depending on business needs and the candidate's qualifications.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and mentor junior team members
- Opportunities to work on cross-functional projects and collaborate with various departments
- Career advancement within the company, such as moving into a senior leadership role or taking on additional responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development, both within the product marketing function and across the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: MKS Instruments' Irvine office is a modern, professional workspace with a collaborative and innovative atmosphere.
Office Location(s): Irvine, CA (primary), with occasional travel to Milpitas, CA
Geographic Context:
- Irvine, CA is located in Orange County, approximately 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles
- The area offers a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm, dry summers
- Irvine is known for its high quality of life, with excellent schools, numerous parks, and a variety of cultural attractions
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday through Friday, with core hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Flexible work arrangements may be available, depending on business needs and the candidate's qualifications.
ASSUMPTION: The Irvine office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or a member of the HR team
- In-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including cross-functional team members and senior leadership
- Background check and reference checks (if applicable)
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Product marketing expertise and strategic thinking
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key customers and internal stakeholders
- Cultural fit and alignment with MKS Instruments' values and work style
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the semiconductor industry and MKS Instruments' products and services
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process, focusing on the company's strategic goals, team dynamics, and growth opportunities
ATS Keywords: Product strategy, market research, pricing strategy, business plans, product positioning, customer satisfaction, team leadership, collaboration, requirements analysis, product marketing, technical advisory, personnel development, sales pipeline management, new market growth, competitive analysis, lifecycle management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, analytical skills, and cultural fit, as well as their relevant experience and industry knowledge.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's background and the team's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: MKS Instruments encourages creativity, continuous learning, and a focus on driving progress through technology
- Integrity: The company values honesty, transparency, and ethical decision-making in all aspects of its business
- Collaboration: MKS Instruments fosters a culture of teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect
- Accountability: The company expects its employees to take ownership of their responsibilities and deliver results that drive business success
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on driving results and meeting deadlines
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data and insights to inform decision-making
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving business success through strategic product marketing initiatives?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple priorities?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented work environment and enjoy building relationships with key customers and internal stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with MKS Instruments' values and work style, and who demonstrate a strong fit with the company's culture, will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of products and market segments, each with its own unique requirements and dynamics
- Balancing strategic planning and tactical execution, while also managing and developing a high-performing team
- Navigating a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Keeping up with the latest industry trends and technologies, and adapting to a rapidly evolving market landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong leadership, effective communication, and a strategic approach to prioritization and time management.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other product marketing roles, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities and a higher level of strategic influence
- In the semiconductor industry, this role is unique in its focus on the Inspection and Metrology segment, which plays a critical role in enabling advanced device manufacturing
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a senior leadership position or taking on additional responsibilities within the product marketing function or across the broader organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive business success and make a significant impact in a critical segment of the semiconductor industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive market requirements document for a new product launch, including customer interviews, competitive analysis, and pricing strategy
- Conducting a thorough review of the existing product portfolio and recommending strategic adjustments to optimize growth and profitability
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a go-to-market strategy for a new product or service offering
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and collaborative nature of the work required in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader product marketing organization and the company's strategic goals?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Inspection and Metrology segment, and how can this role address them?
- How does MKS Instruments support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the team dynamics and work style of the Systems Irvine Business Unit?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role's priorities, challenges, and opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on your product marketing expertise and strategic thinking
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process, focusing on the company's strategic goals, team dynamics, and growth opportunities
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
