In the week leading up to Tesla’s much-anticipated Robotaxi launch, a series of high-level resignations have shaken Elon Musk’s leadership team. Four Tesla directors, all reporting directly to Musk, recently announced their departures—a troubling development for the company at a critical time.
High-Profile Departures Raise Concerns at Tesla
Four directors exited Tesla within just a week, casting a shadow over Musk’s ambitious plans for the Robotaxi initiative. According to Business Insider, Tesla employees were informed on October 3 that Nagesh Saldi, Tesla’s Director of Information Technology, would be leaving after nearly 12 years with the company. This announcement was later confirmed by Bloomberg.
But Saldi is only one of several departures. On October 1, Jos Dings, Tesla’s Director of Public Policy and Business Development, shared his resignation on LinkedIn. Shortly after, David Zhang, Director of the Model S and Model X programs, also announced his exit on LinkedIn on October 4. Marc Van Impe, Tesla’s Head of Global Safety and Automation, followed suit, sharing his departure on October 6.
While some, like Dings, cited a need to “take a break,” Van Impe revealed he would transition into an advisory role at SpaceX, another Musk-led company. Meanwhile, Zhang’s LinkedIn profile notes he had left Tesla in July, although the news only became public recently.
These high-profile exits come on the heels of a prior departure: Daniel Ho, Tesla’s former Head of Automotive Programs, announced on LinkedIn on September 29 that he was joining Waymo as a Program Director. Ho’s exit had already been hinted at by Musk in April when the CEO revealed plans for significant staff cuts, affecting over 10% of Tesla’s workforce. The restructuring also led to the resignations of senior executives like Drew Baglino, Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Electrical Engineering, and Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of Supercharging.
In total, Musk has lost eight senior reports within the past year. This turnover rate is notable, given that Tesla’s executive structure comprises only around 30 direct reports to Musk. Tesla has yet to comment on these recent resignations, and the departing executives have similarly refrained from elaborating on their reasons for leaving.
Leadership Style and Heavy Workload Contributing to Burnout?
Several former employees attribute the turnover to Musk’s intense and, at times, unpredictable management style. A former manager explained, “Every few years, Elon steps in and cuts staff or reorganizes, essentially tearing things down to rebuild them. People get exhausted trying to keep up with that pace.”
The pressure seems to have intensified since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022. Some Tesla employees reportedly feel that Musk’s focus on Twitter has shifted his attention away from Tesla, causing frustration and disillusionment among the team. As one senior employee stated, many are “tired” and have lost faith in Musk’s vision for Tesla amid these shifts in focus.
Adding to the strain, Tesla’s workforce saw substantial layoffs in April. One former manager, who left earlier this year, said the abrupt job cuts left many teams in disarray and struggling to retain talent. “We were working well together, but it felt like things were going nowhere,” they shared.
Tight-Lipped Atmosphere Amid Robotaxi Event Preparations
Despite the high-level turnover, discussions about these departures remain minimal within Tesla. Seven employees told that internal conversations are still heavily focused on the upcoming Robotaxi event, as the company races to meet deadlines and deliver a groundbreaking product. Tesla’s Robotaxi initiative is considered a pivotal project, and its success is crucial to Musk’s vision of a fully autonomous, electrified future.
Looking Ahead: A Turning Point for Tesla?
The departure of several top directors underscores the challenges Tesla faces under Musk’s high-pressure leadership style. While Musk is known for demanding intense commitment from his teams, the impact of ongoing turnover, coupled with his increased focus on X, may pose risks to Tesla’s stability and growth.
As Tesla heads toward its Robotaxi launch, all eyes are on Musk and his ability to maintain momentum amid mounting challenges. The company’s success will rely not only on delivering innovative products but also on stabilizing its leadership team and retaining talent in the long term. Musk’s ambitious goals for Tesla are clear, but the question remains: can he keep his team motivated and aligned with his vision for the future?
