Apple Lays Off Over 600 California Employees Following Termination of Car Project

• ByStartupStory     |    April 6, 2024

Apple Inc. has announced the layoff of 614 employees in California. This development marks the company’s first notable downsizing since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a recent filing with the state of California, the affected workforce was stationed across eight different facilities in Santa Clara. The notice, posted by California, revealed that employees were officially informed of the impending job cuts on March 28, with changes set to take effect on May 27.

While Apple has largely evaded extensive downsizing during the pandemic, its recent decision comes in the wake of the cancellation of a high-profile project focused on developing an electric, self-driving car. This venture, managed by the Special Projects Group within Apple, was abruptly terminated, prompting speculation about the fate of associated personnel.

Although the filing did not explicitly reference the axed car project, it is noted that none of the affected locations are situated at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters. Instead, these sites primarily comprise smaller satellite offices, often utilized for confidential or specialized initiatives.

The impacted roles span various functions within the organization, including machine shop managers, hardware engineers, and product design engineers, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. This reduction in force is anticipated to reverberate through multiple facets of Apple’s operations, signaling a strategic realignment in the company’s pursuits.

Apple has yet to provide specific details regarding the rationale behind the layoffs. A company representative declined to comment on the matter, leaving employees and industry observers speculating about the broader implications of this decision.

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