Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                                            Phone  408. 543.4400
KINTANA   Logo                                              Fax    408. 752.8460
                                                         1314 Chesapeake Terrace
                                                            Sunnyvale, CA  94089

                                                                 www.kintana.com

                              September 29, 2000

Mr. Mike Hallett

     Re:  Offer of Employment by Kintana, Inc.
          ------------------------------------

Dear Mike:

     We are very pleased to confirm our offer of employment with Kintana (the
"Company") in the position of Senior Vice President of Sales reporting to Bryan
Plug, Chief Executive Officer.  The terms of our offer and the benefits provided
by the Company are as follows:

     1.   Salary and Bonus.  Your starting base salary will be two hundred
          ----------------
thousand dollars ($200,000) per annum and will be subject to annual review.  You
will also be eligible to earn annual performance based bonuses.  These bonuses
may be comprised of stock option and cash portions Performance bonuses are
variable with the amount of actual bonus paid dependent upon the achievement of
specific objectives.  The cash bonus portion will be two hundred thousand
dollars ($200,000) per annum for performance at plan.

     2.   Benefits.  In addition, you will be eligible to participate in regular
          --------
health insurance, and other employee benefit plans, as appropriate to your
residence and/or place of employment, as established by the Company for its
employees from time to time.  A brief summary of these benefits is attached to
this letter as Appendix A.

The Company reserves the right to change or otherwise modify, in its sole
discretion, the preceding terms of employment, as well as any of the terms set
forth herein at any time in the future.

     3.   Work Authorization Sponsorship.  Kintana will pay for all appropriate
          ------------------------------
and necessary legal expenses related to sponsoring you for the H1B visa (or
other visas as necessary) and permanent residency status ("Green Card") with the
INS.  You will be required to repay any legal expenses incurred by Kintana on
your behalf if you choose not to join Kintana after the application processes
have begun.

     4.   Confidentiality.  As an employee of the Company, you will have access
          ---------------
to certain confidential information of the Company and you may, during the
course of your employment, develop certain information or inventions that will
be the property of the Company.  To protect the interests of the Company, you
will need to sign the Company's standard
<PAGE>

"Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" as a condition of
your employment. We wish to impress upon you that we do not want you to, and we
hereby direct you not to, bring with you any confidential or proprietary
material of any former employer or to violate any other obligations you may have
to any former employer. During the period that you render services to the
Company, you agree to not engage in any employment, business or activity that is
in any way competitive with the business or proposed business of the Company.
You will disclose to the Company in writing any other gainful employment,
business or activity that you are currently associated with or participate in
that competes with the Company. You will not assist any other person or
organization in competing with the Company or in preparing to engage in
competition with the business or proposed business of the Company. You represent
that your signing of this offer letter, agreement(s) concerning stock options
granted to you, if any, under the Plan (as defined below) and the Company's
Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement and your
commencement of employment with the Company will not violate any agreement
currently in place between yourself and current or past employers.

     7.   Options.  We will recommend to the Board of Directors of the Company
          -------
that you be granted the opportunity to purchase up to three hundred and forty
thousand (340,000) shares of Common Stock of the Company under our 1997 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") at the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock,
as determined by the Board of Directors on the date the Board approves such
grant.  The shares you will be given the opportunity to purchase will vest at
the ate of:

     .    Forty Thousand (40,000) at the end of your first month's employment
          with the Company.

     .    Two and eight one-hundredths percent (2.08%), of the remaining three
          hundred thousand (300,000), each and every month thereafter so long as
          you remain employed by the Company.

However, the grant of such options by the Company is subject to the Board's
approval and this promise to recommend such approval is not a promise of
compensation and is not intended to create any obligation on the part of the
Company.  Further details on the Plan and any specific option grant to you will
be provided upon approval of such grant by the Company's Board of Directors.

     8.   At Will Employment.  While we look forward to a long and profitable
          ------------------
relationship, should you decide to accept our offer, you will be an at-will
employee of the Company, which means the employment relationship can be
terminated by either of us for any reason, at any time, with or without notice
and with or without cause.  Any statements or representations to the contrary
(and, indeed, any statements contradicting any provision in this letter) should
be regarded by you as ineffective.  Further, your participation in any stock
option or benefit program is not to be regarded as assuring you of continuing
employment for any particular period of time.

     9.   Severance.  For involuntary termination without cause, your severance
          ---------
package will consist of six (6) months of base salary and general benefits, and
additionally will include accelerated vesting for those stock options that would
have vested within the next six (6) months.
<PAGE>

You will not be entitled to any additional compensation, other than payment for
salary and bonus earned but unpaid, accrued but unused vacation and any vested
stock options if your employment is terminated for cause or if you voluntarily
resign from the Company.

     10.  Authorization to Work.  Please note that, should you work in the
          ---------------------
United States, and because of employer regulations adopted in the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986, within three (3) business days of starting your
new position you will need to present documentation demonstrating that you have
authorization to work in the United States.  If you have questions about this
requirement, which applies to U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens alike, you may
contact our personnel office.

     10.  Arbitration.  You and the Company agree to submit to mandatory and
          -----------
exclusive binding arbitration any controversy or claim arising out of, or
relating to, this Agreement or any breach hereof or your employment
relationship, provided, however, that the parties retain their right to, and
              --------  -------
shall not be prohibited, limited or in any other way restricted from, seeking or
obtaining equitable relief from a court having jurisdiction over the parties.
Such arbitration shall be conducted through the American Arbitration Association
in the [State of California, Santa Clara County,] before a single arbitrator, in
accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of
the American Arbitration Association in effect at that time, and judgment upon
the determination or award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof.

     11.  Acceptance.  This offer will remain open until October 3, 2000.  If
          ----------
you decide to accept our offer, and I hope you will, please sign the enclosed
copy of this letter in the space indicated and return it to Gail Twiggs.  This
offer letter shall supercede any verbal commitment you may have received from
any representative of Kintana.  Also, please note that this offer is null and
void if not signed and returned to Kintana by October 5, 2000.  Your signature
will acknowledge that you have read and understood and agreed to the terms and
conditions of this offer letter and the attached documents, if any.  Should you
have anything else that you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to call me.

     We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to the Company.

Very truly yours,

Bryan E. Plug,

Chief Executive Officer

Attachments
<PAGE>

I have read and understood this offer letter and hereby acknowledge, accept and
agree to the terms as set forth above and further acknowledge that no other
commitments were made to me as part of my employment offer except as
specifically set forth herein.

/s/ Michael Hallett                    Date signed:     November 13, 2000
----------------------------------                  ----------------------------
Michael Hallett

I plan to report to Kintana on December 11, 2000.
                               -------------------------------------------------<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                                                            Phone  408. 543.4400
KINTANA  Logo                                               Fax    408. 752.8460
                                                         1314 Chesapeake Terrace
                                                             Sunnyvale, CA 94089

                                                                 www.kintana.com

                                 May 10, 2001

Keith Carlson

     Re:  Offer of Employment by Kintana
          ------------------------------

Mr. Keith Carlson:

     We are very pleased to confirm our offer of employment with Kintana (the
"Company") in the position of Vice President, Enterprise Customer Relations.
You will report to Michael Hallett, Senior Vice President of Sales, based out of
Sunnyvale, CA.  The terms of our offer and the benefits provided by the Company
are as follows:

     1.   Starting Salary.  Your starting base salary will be one hundred and
          ---------------
seventy-five ($175,000) per year.  In addition, you will be eligible for a
performance-based bonus of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars
($125,000) annually at plan.  You will be provided with the specific performance
criteria for calculation of your actual bonus.

     2.   Benefits.  In addition, you will be eligible to participate in regular
          --------
health insurance, bonus and other employee benefit plans established by the
Company for its employees from time to time.  A brief summary of the benefits
currently offered is attached to this letter as Appendix A.
                                                ----------

The Company reserves the right to change or otherwise modify, in its sole
discretion, the preceding terms of employment, as well as any of the terms set
forth herein at any time in the future.

     3.   Confidentiality.  As an employee of the Company, you will have access
          ---------------
to certain confidential information of the Company and you may, during the
course of your employment, develop certain information or inventions that will
be the property of the Company.  To protect the interests of the Company, you
will need to sign the Company's standard "Employee Invention Assignment and
Confidentiality Agreement" as a condition of your employment.  We wish to
impress upon you that we do not want you to, and we hereby direct you not to,
bring with you any confidential or proprietary material of any former employer
or to violate any other obligations you may have to any former employer.  During
the period that you render services to the Company, you agree to not engage in
any employment, business or activity that is in any way competitive with the
business or proposed business of the Company.  You will disclose to the Company
in writing any other gainful employment, business or activity that you
<PAGE>

Employment Letter
Page 2

are currently associated with or participate in that competes with the Company.
You will not assist any other person or organization in competing with the
Company or in preparing to engage in competition with the business or proposed
business of the Company. You represent that your signing of this offer letter,
agreement(s) concerning stock options granted to you, if any, under the Plan (as
defined below) and the Company's Employee Invention Assignment and
Confidentiality Agreement and your commencement of employment with the Company
will not violate any agreement currently in place between yourself and current
or past employers.

     4.   Options.  We will recommend to the Board of Directors of the Company
          -------
that you be granted the opportunity to purchase up to one hundred and sixty-five
thousand (165,000) shares of Common Stock of the Company under our 1997 Equity
Incentive Plan at the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock, as
determined by the Board of Directors on the date the Board approves such grant.
The shares you will be given the opportunity to purchase will vest at the rate
of twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) at the end of your six months of
employment with the Company, and an additional two and eight tenths percent
(2.08%) per month thereafter, so long as you remain employed by the Company.
Also, you will be eligible to receive an additional ten thousand (10,000) shares
vested over 4 years if you meet or exceed the established objectives set by the
Sr. VP of Sales within the first six months of employment.  However, the grant
of such options by the Company is subject to the Board's approval and this
promise to recommend such approval is not a promise of compensation and is not
intended to create any obligation on the part of the Company.  Further details
on the Plan and any specific option grant to you will be provided upon approval
of such grant by the Company's Board of Directors.

     5.   At Will Employment.  While we look forward to a long and profitable
          ------------------
relationship, should you decide to accept our offer, you will be an at-will
employee of the Company, which means the employment relationship can be
terminated by either of us for any reason, at any time, with or without notice
and with or without cause.  Any statements or representations to the contrary
(and, indeed, any statements contradicting any provision in this letter) should
be regarded by you as ineffective.  Further, your participation in any stock
option or benefit program is not to be regarded as assuring you of continuing
employment for any particular period of time.

     6.   Authorization to Work.  Please note that because of employer
          ---------------------
regulations adopted in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, within
three (3) business days of starting your new position you will need to present
documentation demonstrating that you have authorization to work in the United
States.  If you have questions about this requirement, which applies to U.S.
citizens and non-U.S. citizens alike, you may contact our personnel office.

     7.   Acceptance.  This offer will remain open until May 18, 2001.  If you
          ----------
decide to accept our offer, and I hope you will, please sign the enclosed copy
of this letter in the space indicated and return it to me.  Your signature will
acknowledge that you have read and understood and agreed to the terms and
conditions of this offer letter and the attached documents, if any.  Should you
have anything else that you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to call me.
<PAGE>

Employment Letter
Page 3

     We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to the Company.

Very truly yours,

-----------------------------
Bryan E. Plug,
Chief Executive Officer

Attachments

I have read and understood this offer letter and hereby acknowledge, accept and
agree to the terms as set forth above and further acknowledge that no other
commitments were made to me as part of my employment offer except as
specifically set forth herein.

/s/ Keith Carlson                                 Date signed: 5/14/01
---------------------------------
Keith Carlson

I plan to report to Kintana on 5/14/01

<PAGE>

Employment Letter
Page 4

                                  APPENDIX A
(If there are disputes between plan provision and this document, plan provision
                             will always prevail)

Company Holidays:  10 holidays including:  Floating Holiday, New Year's Day,
President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  Only regular full-
time employees are eligible for 8 hours holiday pay.

Vacation:  All regular full-time employees are eligible for 3 weeks or 120 hours
of vacation prorated on year of hire.  Accumulated at 10 hours a month.  After 3
years of full service, you will be eligible for 4 weeks for 160 hours of
vacation accrued at 13.33 hours a month.  You may rollover PTO year to year with
a maximum accrual of 160 hours.

Medical/Dental:  Kintana offers medical and dental coverage through Aetna US
HealthCare for regular full-time employees.  Medical and Dental coverage begins
on the first day of employment.  Enrollment forms for all types of coverage must
be completed within 30 calendar days of the employee's hire date in order to
ensure coverage.  Kintana pays the premium for medical and dental insurance for
employees.  Employees may cover eligible dependents by paying a monthly
deduction.

Vision Plan:  Kintana offers vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
for regular full-time employees.  The coverage will be effective on the first
day of the month following the date of hire.  Kintana pays the premium for
vision insurance for employees.  Employees may cover eligible dependents by
paying a monthly deduction.

401(k):  Employees are eligible to participate in Kintana's 401(k) plan through
Kemper Mutual Funds upon hire or February 15, 2000, whichever is later.
Employees may enter into the plan at any time.  The maximum employee
contribution is the lesser of 20% of compensation for the Plan Year or
$10,500.00.  Kintana will match 10% of the employee's contributions, vested
immediately.

Life Insurance:  Kintana carries group life insurance and AD&D for all regular
full-time employees.  The beneficiary on the policy receives $100,000.00 life
insurance coverage.

Long Term Disability Insurance:  Kintana carries long-term disability of $9,000
or 60% of the employee's annual base salary, whichever is lower, starting on the
91st day of the employee being disabled.

Pay Day:  Employees are paid on the 1/st/ and 16/th/ of the month.

Direct Deposit:  Direct Deposit is available to all employees.  It takes
approximately two pay periods (one month) after the direct deposit request form
or voided check is submitted to HR for direct deposit to be effective.

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