Tesla has recently experienced a significant loss in its engineering department, particularly within its energy products division. Mark Westfall, who served as the Director of Mechanical Engineering for Tesla Energy products such as Supercharger, Powerwall, and Megapack, has departed from the company after a decade of service.
Westfall joined Tesla in 2014 and played a crucial role in the development and advancement of Tesla’s energy products. As the Head of Mechanical Engineering for Tesla Energy, he led a team of over 50 engineers and was instrumental in the launch of multiple generations of Supercharger, the transition to NACS, the ramping of Powerwall 3, and the development of cutting-edge grid-scale batteries.
In a statement announcing his departure, Westfall expressed pride in his accomplishments at Tesla and the impact he was able to make during his tenure. He highlighted the significant projects he contributed to and the advancements he helped bring to the energy sector.
Following his departure from Tesla, Westfall has joined Redwood Materials as the Director of Engineering. Redwood Materials has become a haven for former Tesla executives, with notable figures such as Colin Campbell, Cal Lankton, and Chris Lister holding key positions within the company. JB Straubel, a Tesla co-founder and former CTO, is the CEO of Redwood Materials, further solidifying the connection between the two companies.
Redwood Materials has a direct partnership with Tesla, as the electric automaker sells scrap materials from its manufacturing operations to Redwood for recycling. Despite Straubel no longer holding an executive role at Tesla, he remains involved with the company as a member of the board.
The departure of Mark Westfall is part of a larger trend of talent leaving Tesla in recent months, raising concerns within the company about the direction under CEO Elon Musk. The exodus of experienced professionals like Westfall poses challenges for Tesla as it seeks to maintain its position as a leader in the energy and automotive industries.
