Pros
I started at Tesla back in 2018 when the company was still struggling. I stayed through thick and thin because I genuinely believed in the mission and wanted to grow with the company. Over the years, I worked with some incredible, hardworking coworkers who made the tough days easier — but that’s about the only positive part. Management and leadership felt completely disconnected from the reality of the people doing the work. There’s a lot of fake culture at the top — all talk about “mission” and “family,” but in reality, loyalty doesn’t count for much. I witnessed multiple layoffs (including my own) that clearly weren’t performance-based. Some happened right before stock vesting, which says a lot. Met some amazing and hardworking coworkers who genuinely cared about what they were doing. Learned how to handle high-pressure situations and adapt quickly. Gained valuable hands-on experience during a time when the company was still growing.
Cons
Leadership and management are disconnected and often fake — lots of office politics. Loyalty isn’t valued; many layoffs seemed timed to avoid stock vesting rather than reflect performance. Zero work-life balance — long hours and constant pressure are normalized. Communication from upper management is poor, and decisions often feel one-sided. Burnout is common, and appreciation for effort is minimal.