Global Culture & Belonging

Our Vision

When diversity of thought and experiences, equitable practices, and inclusive behaviors are prioritized, their intersection creates a powerful sense of belonging.

At MKS, belonging seamlessly connects to our four Guiding Principles, because we know that we can achieve more when we create a culture that inspires each of us to fully contribute and collaborate across our global organization.

Belonging is the environment we cultivate, and we know that this commitment takes all of us to own it. It is the experience of a collective belonging, balanced with being valued for our individuality, that allows us to grow, win as a team, and innovate.

Our Commitment to Growth

Sally Ann Bouley, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for MKS discusses our commitment to growth and diversity of thought and experiences.

What Our Employees Are Saying

I take pride in being part of a company that prioritizes inclusion and actively develops talent. MKS goes beyond mere statements and banners; it translates its vision into meaningful actions.

— Shalaka D., PhD, Engineering Manager, Lasers BU, United States

I have witnessed the progress of MKS for 13 years. The cross-region communication enables me to develop multidimensional thought. MKS’ inclusive culture keeps me motivated, as they have enhanced my work-life balance and brought equal opportunities to female engineers.

— Aimin S., Manufacturing Engineering Manager, China

As a global company, MKS accepts the mission of building cross functional, diverse, and multicultural teams that provide cutting edge technology for solving the world’s most challenging problems.

— Oliver K., Manager of Manufacturing & Operations, Germany

Taking a proactive, innovative approach to career development empowers our employees – in the unique way they need – to aim high and work toward a bright future.

— Devinder Kaur, HRBP, Commercial and L&D, India

Read more testimonials and Innovation Stories from MKS employees here.

 

Workforce Snapshot

Our workforce mirrors the global community we serve. We proudly represent a vibrant mix of cultures, spanning 25+ languages and 35+ countries.

Program Highlights

MentorConnect: Global Mentorship Program

MentorConnect is a global initiative designed to pair employees across regions and roles, fostering cross-cultural understanding, professional growth, and knowledge sharing. Through meaningful, personalized mentoring relationships, participants gain fresh perspectives, strengthen leadership skills, and enhance their career development. The program encourages collaboration and community-building across MKS, reinforcing our inclusive culture and empowering employees to thrive and contribute to our shared success.

Belonging Book Club for Employees

Learning and development is a continuous process. Our global team engages in shared learning and open dialogue through virtual book discussions each quarter.

In the past, we’ve read books from a variety of genres and authors, including work by James Baldwin, bell hooks, Michelle Zauner, Noé Álvarez & Ocean Vuong.

This quarter, we are reading The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by global business leader and professor Erin Meyer.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

ERGs serve as a voluntary, employee-led opportunity for MKS employees to find community, drive organizational change, and understand what it means to be an effective ally.

In 2024, MKS launched 2 ERGs: Women@MKS and Veterans@MKS. ERG membership is open to all employees within our global organization.

We are excited to launch additional ERGs in the future, and we look forward to hosting annual, cross-ERG summits that will foster conversations and efforts focused on intersectionality and areas for growth.

Speaker and Panel Events for Employees

We host a variety of speaker events and panel discussions to promote awareness, empathy, and education.

Previous Speaker Events:

  • Veterans Day - Melissa Stockwell, Veteran and Paralympic Athlete.
  • AAPI Month – Marita Cheng, Tech Entrepreneur.
  • Victory Day (Europe) – Rena Quint, Holocaust Survivor.

Previous Panel Discussions:

  • Veterans Day
  • Pride Month
  • International Women’s Day

Virtual Coffee Chats for Employees

Monthly small-group conversations hosted by 2 rotating executives. The goal is to foster a unique opportunity for bi-directional learning between top executives and employees across regions, divisions, and levels.

Sessions are built around specific themes, including innovation, process improvement, culture and belonging, learning and development, and more.

In an anonymous survey, 100% of attendees state that executives are “very approachable and open,” and 94% feel their input was valued.

“I’ve never worked for a company that allowed employees open discussions with executive leaders. I was nervous about joining, but they were relaxed and wanted to hear from us. Thank you for the opportunity to join this call.”
“Over the last 30 years, I have worked for many companies. This was the first time I have ever been able to have a conversation with an executive leader. I learned a lot and it energized me. Thank you!”
“MKS is a progressive growing company that cultivates innovation and leadership. I was chosen to participate in the Emerging [Leaders] Program* and was mentored by top executives up to the CEO! There is a lot of growth opportunities for anyone looking to excel in their career.”

– Linda Harris, Sr Manager, Inside Sales Engineering

Learning & Development

At MKS, continuous learning and development are essential for fostering a culture of belonging.

Inclusion Academy
Our Inclusion Academy offers global access to live, interactive workshops and resources focused on inclusive leadership, cultural competency, effective collaboration, and building trust across global teams. Workshops are designed to provide practical skills, tools, and strategies to enhance collaboration, strengthen workplace relationships, and foster a culture of belonging. Sessions can be attended virtually from any region and are facilitated in partnership between Global Culture & Belonging and Global Learning & Development. Custom sessions tailored to specific teams, regions, or management levels can also be requested.

Leadership Development Programs
Inclusive leadership and cultural competency content are integrated into our flagship Executive Development Program and Emerging Leaders Program. Through these comprehensive leadership experiences, participants strengthen their ability to lead diverse teams, navigate cross-cultural complexities, and foster an inclusive work environment. These development opportunities equip current and future leaders at MKS to cultivate belonging, collaboration, and global effectiveness.

Cultivating Workforce Excellence

We are committed to fair and merit-based hiring practices that support identifying and attracting top talent. Our targeted training programs enhance objectivity and ensure hiring decisions are based on qualifications and competencies.

As of the 2023 fall semester, 54% of our campus recruiting activities focus on expanding outreach to foster a global workforce rich in diverse thoughts, experiences, and perspectives.

For more information about our college-specific recruitment efforts, click here.

Pay Equity

MKS is committed to offering total compensation packages that attract, motivate, and retain our employees. Our approach ensures competitiveness in the external market and fairness internally, while aligning with our business goals and strategy. As part of this commitment, we routinely conduct comprehensive pay equity analyses across our major regions of operation. These review help identify and, if necessary, rectify any disparities promptly and effectively. The results of these analyses guide appropriate compensation adjustments and are embedded in our global compensation processes to ensure equity and consistency across the organization.

MKS was recognized by US News as one of the Best Companies to Work for in 2024 and 2025 because of the quality of our pay and benefits, among other criteria.

Additionally, we maintain a global flexible work policy to support our people in balancing work and life.

Read our statement on Pay Transparency here.

Want to Work With Us?

Visit our careers page to learn more about open opportunities at MKS.

We look forward to meeting you.

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