Tesla loses top vehicle program manager behind Model S/X, Cybertruck, and more

Tesla is losing one of its top vehicle program managers who has been behind vehicles like Model S and Model X, Cybertruck, and more.

David Zhang is a chemical engineer with a background in business analysis who joined Tesla back in 2015 to lead “business operations and finance for the automaker’s powertrain systems.”

However, he was quickly promoted to lead full vehicle programs at Tesla.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he has been in charge of the Model S and Model X programs since 2018.

He was in charge of the Model Y program from 2020 to 2021, the critical period of its launch.

Zhang was also in charge of the Cybertruck program for a year between July 2021 to June 2022.

Finally, he also had a quick stint as the “Roadster and Next Generation Vehicle Program Manager” from February 2023 until earlier this year.

This weekend, Zhang announced that he is leaving Tesla:

Thank you and (belated) farewell, Tesla.

It has been a privilege and an honor to have devoted myself to the mission.

As noted, his farewell is “belated.” Even though Zhang confirmed his departure from Tesla this weekend, he also updated his LinkedIn profile to show he hasn’t been at Tesla since July.

Earlier this year, Tesla had a massive round of layoffs that included cuts in virtually every department. Between April and July, many people were let go, including engineering leaders, and others left on their own following a moral drop at the company.

Zhang’s more recent departure comes as we also recently learned of Tesla’s Chief Information Officer and one of its top European executives leaving the automaker last week.