Tesla hit by major leadership shakeup as key engineering executive quits during critical time
Tesla faces a leadership transition as Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for the Optimus robotics program, announces his departure. Citing a need to spend more time with family abroad, Kovac's exit comes as Tesla prepares to launch its robotaxis. Ashok Elluswamy, VP of Autopilot and AI software, is expected to assume Kovac's role.
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Optimus Head Milan Kovac Announces Exit
Personal Reasons Behind Departure
Over the past 9+ years, I've had the immense privilege to work with some of the most brilliant minds in AI & engineering. I've built friendships that will last a lifetime.
This week, I've had to make the most difficult decision of my life and will be moving out of my position.… pic.twitter.com/ENwYRDQkMO undefined Milan Kovac (@_milankovac_) June 6, 2025
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From Autopilot Engineer to VP of Optimus
Departure Comes at a Crucial Time
Who Will Fill the Role?
FAQs
While Tesla is already facing challenges due to its CEO Elon Musk's political controversies, the EV maker is now facing another trouble as it prepares for another leadership change, as per a report.The company has expanded from just a car company to programmes like Tesla Optimus, a division that develops robotic humanoid technology , and now Musk's robotic ambitions may be facing a challenge as the program's leader is leaving the EV giant, as per The Street.According to the report, Milan Kovac recently announced that he would step down from his role as the vice president of engineering at Optimus.Kovac shared in a post on his social media platform X (previously Twitter) account that he decided to step down, as he felt the need to spend more time with his family abroad. He wrote, "I've been far away from home for too long, and will need to spend more time with family abroad. I want to make it clear that this is the only reason, and has absolutely nothing to do with anything else. My support for @elonmusk and the team is ironclad - Tesla team forever," as per his X post.He had joined Tesla in 2016 and started as a staff software engineer at Tesla's Autopilot division, and as he spent years advancing through roles to being named director and later vice president of Optimus, as per The Street. While, Kovac worked at Tesla, he played an important role in shaping both its autopilot and robotic humanoid technology, according to the report.Kovac's LinkedIn profile mentions that his responsibilities included 'driving the engineering teams responsible for all the software foundations and infrastructure common between Optimus and Autopilot,' helping guide both divisions forward, reported The Street.His sudden departure comes at a time when the EV maker is gearing up for launching its self-driving robotaxis in Austin, Texas, on June 12, as per the report.Autopilot and AI software team VP Ashok Elluswamy is expected to take over Kovac's position, reported The Street.He was the vice president of engineering for Tesla's Optimus robotics program.He said he wants to spend more time with family abroad, and emphasized it's not due to internal issues.
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