Mike Klien

• Built and Scaled Subsidiary to Top Performance: Founded the Silicon Valley branch from the ground up, achieving recognition as VAT's best-performing subsidiary worldwide.
• Customer-Centric Strategy for OEM Partnerships: Established rapid-response customer service tailored for leading OEM clients, securing key projects, and positioning the subsidiary as a preferred partner.
• Driving Project Growth and Operational Excellence: Spearheaded initiatives to anticipate client needs, ensuring project acquisition and retention through agile, localized service solutions.

Comprehensive Training Program Development and Delivery

• Employee and Client Training: Developed and led training programs for all new hires, including service technicians, office staff, application engineers, and customers.
• Expertise in Complex Systems: Delivered instruction on modifications, retrofits, troubleshooting of advanced mechanisms, firmware, and vacuum solutions, ensuring team and client proficiency in high-stakes applications.

ASQ Certified Quality Professional

• Specializations: Cost of Quality (COQ), Quality Tools (Six Sigma, Lean), Continuous Improvement Techniques

Product Support and Sales for High-Value Accounts

• In-House and On-Site Service: Delivered in-depth support and solutions for high-value clients through field service and in-house expertise, covering prototype ultra-high vacuum valves, control valves, multi-valve modules, and high-purity chambers.
• Product Upgrades and Custom Modifications: Guided customers through product upgrades and tailored modifications to meet specialized requirements, enhancing performance and satisfaction.
• Account Management for Major Clients: Managed and supported key accounts valued over $100 million, strengthening client relationships and ensuring long-term customer retention and satisfaction.

Customer Interface and Technical Support for Key OEMs and Government Facilities

• OEM Collaboration and Product Development: Worked directly with major OEM clients, including Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA, to refine prototypes and align product development with customer requirements for successful new product launches.
• Cross-Functional Product Improvement: Partnered with product managers and sales teams to recommend and implement product enhancements, contributing to a stronger market fit.
• Technical Expertise in Vacuum Systems and Actuators: Performed precise evaluations, repairs, and calibrations on vacuum systems using advanced tools and techniques, such as helium mass spectrometry. Handled assembly and repair of linear and pendulum actuators (pneumatic and servo) for semiconductor tools.

Field Service for Large-Scale Valves in High-Stakes Applications

• Support for Specialized Industries: Delivered expert field service for large valves used in solar, flat panel display, space simulation chambers, and accelerator applications across leading institutions, including the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland and the Max Planck Institute in Germany.
• Extensive European Client Engagement: Provided on-site technical support across Europe, including France (Uranium enrichment plants), government facilities in England, and Zeiss Optics in Germany, ensuring the highest standards of service for critical and confidential projects.

• Assembly Experience and Technical Training for Field Service Role

• Hands-On Product Knowledge: Worked as an assembly technician to gain in-depth familiarity with the full product portfolio, building a foundation for transitioning to a field service technician role.
• Specialized Training and Certifications: Completed advanced vacuum courses at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) and received certifications in electronics, helium leak detection, and heavy goods handling.
• Precision Alignment Skills: Utilized laser measurement devices to achieve precise alignments, ensuring optimal product performance and reliability.