Tesla Exec Raj Jegannathan Leaves Automaker After 13 Years

Why It Matters

Jegannathan’s departure highlights leadership instability amid Tesla’s sales slump and strategic challenges, potentially affecting its AI and autonomous‑vehicle initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Raj Jegannathan leaves Tesla after 13 years.
• Former VP of IT, AI infrastructure, security.
• Previously oversaw North American sales during decline.
• Tesla 2025 revenue fell 3%, first decline.
• Leadership turnover may hinder EV and autonomous plans.

Pulse Analysis

Raj Jegannathan’s resignation marks the end of a 13‑year tenure that spanned multiple pivots at Tesla. As vice president of information technology, AI infrastructure, business applications and information security, he helped integrate cloud‑native platforms and safeguard the data pipelines that power the automaker’s autonomous‑driving stack. His LinkedIn farewell emphasized “continuous evolution,” a phrase that mirrors Tesla’s rapid product cycles. The timing coincides with a 3 % revenue dip in 2025, the first annual decline in the company’s history, underscoring the pressure on senior leadership.

The departure also draws attention to the brief stint Jegannathan spent steering North American sales after Troy Jones was ousted. During that period, Tesla’s core automotive sales slipped, reflecting broader consumer fatigue with an aging EV lineup and controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s public statements. Losing a leader who bridged both technology and sales functions could stall the rollout of upcoming software updates and the integration of AI‑driven features across the vehicle fleet. Continuity in IT and AI governance is critical for meeting the promised driverless‑vehicle timeline.

Industry observers see Jegannathan’s exit as a symptom of mounting organizational churn at a time when rivals are accelerating their own EV and autonomous programs. Tesla must now rely on its remaining executives to sustain momentum in AI infrastructure while rebuilding sales confidence. Investors will watch how quickly the company appoints a successor and whether the new leadership can align technology development with market demand. The next quarter will reveal if Tesla can reverse the revenue slide and reaffirm its position as the benchmark for electric‑vehicle innovation.

Tesla exec Raj Jegannathan leaves automaker after 13 years

By Lora Kolodny · Published Mon, Feb 9 2026 6:54 PM EST (updated 2 hours ago)

• Tesla’s Raj Jegannathan, who spent 13 years at the automaker, announced in a LinkedIn post that he’s leaving the company.

• Jegannathan’s most recent role was Vice President of IT, AI infrastructure, business apps and information security.

• Last summer, Jegannathan was reportedly running Tesla’s North American sales team after the dismissal of prior sales leader Troy Jones.

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Tesla Vice President Raj Jegannathan, a 13‑year veteran of the automaker, announced his departure from the company on Monday in a LinkedIn post.

Jegannathan’s most recent role was Vice President of information technology, AI infrastructure, business apps and information security. In his short LinkedIn post, he wrote, “The journey at Tesla has been one of continuous evolution.”

Last year, Jegannathan was tasked with leading the electric‑vehicle maker’s sales team after previous North America sales leader Troy Jones was dismissed. Tesla’s core automotive sales were in decline, with its brand reputation falling partly due to its aging lineup of EVs and a consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk over his incendiary political rhetoric, work for the Trump administration, and backing of far‑right figures and parties around the world.

Tesla and Jegannathan didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tesla’s revenue for 2025 dropped 3 %, declining for the first time on record. The company is under pressure to revitalize its EV sales and to finally deliver its long‑promised driverless systems and vehicles that can carry passengers around without requiring a human at the wheel.