Tesla’s Cybercab program is entering its next phase just as one of its key leaders moves on. Victor Nechita, who most recently served as Vehicle Program Manager for Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi, has announced he is leaving the company after nearly six years.
Nechita shared the news in a post on LinkedIn reflecting on his journey at Tesla.
“After nearly 6 years, I’ve decided to leave Tesla and start a new chapter back on the east coast. What a journey it’s been, from interning on the Model 3 production line back in 2017 to becoming the Vehicle Program Manager of Tesla’s first purpose-built AV, the Cybercab,” he wrote.
Nechita first joined Tesla in 2017 during the height of the Model 3 ramp — a period Elon Musk famously described as “production hell.” Starting as a technical program management intern in Fremont, Nechita helped coordinate Model 3 interior and exterior configuration releases.
From there, he steadily climbed through increasingly senior roles. After a stint as a Seating Engineering Intern in 2018, he actually left Tesla to join the University of Toronto Aerospace Team before returning full-time in 2021. He then progressed through a series of technical program management roles in Vehicle Engineering, ultimately serving as a Senior Technical Program Manager overseeing cross-functional programs spanning hardware, firmware, and full-vehicle integration — including work tied to the refreshed Model 3 Highland.
In early 2024, Nechita stepped into the role of Robotaxi Program Manager for Cybercab. Operating under the Robotaxi Programs umbrella, he oversaw development of Tesla’s first fully dedicated autonomous vehicle platform — a clean-sheet vehicle architecture designed without a steering wheel or pedals.
Reflecting on the experience, he wrote, “Leading the team through the development of Cybercab has been a humbling experience, watching so many dedicated individuals develop a product that has pushed the boundaries of efficiency, safety, and affordability.”
His departure was actually shared on LinkedIn one week ago, just as the first production Cybercab rolled off the line at Giga Texas on February 17, 2026. Nechita announced his move to Boston the following day, effectively closing his Tesla chapter after seeing the vehicle through to its first production unit – “Thank you all for the ride and excited for what’s next out here in Boston!”, he wrote.
Leadership transitions are common at Tesla, especially following major program milestones. In this case, Nechita departs after helping bring one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects from concept to reality.
