Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, has suffered a significant setback with the departure of Drew Baglino, its top engineering executive. Baglino, one of Tesla’s earliest employees, played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and technological advancements.
Baglino’s association with Tesla dates back to its formative years, where he collaborated closely with co-founder and former CTO JB Straubel. Following Straubel’s departure from the executive team in 2019, Baglino assumed a critical role as the de facto most senior engineering leader at Tesla. He was entrusted with overseeing key areas including batteries, motors, drive units, power electronics, and energy products — areas that are widely regarded as the core of Tesla’s business.
I made the difficult decision to move on from Tesla after 18 years yesterday. I am so thankful to have worked with and learned from the countless incredibly talented people at Tesla over the years.
I loved tackling nearly 🤣 every problem we solved as a team and feel gratified…
— Drew Baglino (@baglino) April 15, 2024
After dedicating 18 years to Tesla, Baglino has decided to move on. Confirming his departure, Baglino stated, “I’ve decided to leave Tesla. It’s been an incredible 18 years. I’m going to miss working with you all. I have no concrete plan for the future, beyond spending more time with my family.”
While Baglino did not provide specific reasons for his departure, it appears that he was not lured away by another opportunity. His departure comes as a surprise to many within the industry, given his instrumental role in Tesla’s engineering and technological advancements.
Baglino’s exit raises questions about the future direction of Tesla’s engineering efforts and its leadership team. His departure leaves a void that will be challenging to fill, and Tesla will likely face pressure to find a suitable replacement to maintain its momentum in the competitive electric vehicle market.
Tesla has not yet commented on Baglino’s departure or its plans to fill the vacant position. However, his departure marks a significant loss for the company and underscores the challenges of retaining top talent in the fast-paced and competitive automotive industry.
