An Indian-origin Tesla engineer has shed light on the intense work ethic of the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, revealing that the tech mogul routinely clocks in 80 to 90 hours a week. The statement has reignited conversations about Musk’s leadership style and his relentless pursuit of innovation at the helm of some of the world’s most disruptive companies.
Speaking on condition of anonymity during a tech leadership forum in California, the Tesla software engineer — who hails from Bengaluru and has worked at Tesla for over four years — described Musk as a “tireless visionary who leads by example.”
“He’s online at odd hours. Sometimes you get emails at 2 AM or 4 AM. It’s not surprising — he genuinely works 80 to 90 hours a week. He expects high standards, but he’s also the first to roll up his sleeves,” the engineer said.
Musk, known for leading Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter), has previously acknowledged his heavy work schedule, once tweeting: “Nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.”
The Indian-origin Tesla techie noted that while the work culture is demanding, it is also inspiring for those driven by purpose.
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“It’s not for everyone. The pressure is real. But for those passionate about solving hard problems, it’s a thrilling ride,” they added.
A Culture of Hustle and Innovation
Musk’s work routine is the stuff of Silicon Valley legend. He reportedly divides his time across multiple companies, spending time at different facilities on specific days of the week. Despite his immense responsibilities, insiders claim that Musk often dives deep into engineering details and product development.
At Tesla, he is said to attend daily stand-ups with teams, review engineering schematics, and scrutinize manufacturing challenges, often pushing for faster timelines.
Balancing Burnout and Brilliance
While some admire Musk’s dedication and see it as central to Tesla’s success, critics have long questioned whether such expectations create an unhealthy workplace culture. The engineer acknowledged this duality:
“There’s a fine line. People do get burnt out. But at the same time, we’re working on things that could shape the future — electric mobility, sustainable energy, AI-driven automation. That keeps us going.”
A Global Workforce of Dreamers
Tesla has a significant number of Indian-origin engineers and developers contributing to its mission. Many are graduates from top Indian institutions such as IITs and NITs, drawn to Tesla for its cutting-edge work in energy, AI, and autonomous driving.
“Coming from India and working under Musk has been life-changing,” the engineer said. “You learn to think big — not just about the next product cycle, but the next decade.”
Final Thoughts
As Tesla continues to expand its global footprint — including plans to open a manufacturing facility in India — the revelations about Musk’s intense work routine offer a glimpse into the leadership style that drives one of the most innovative companies of the 21st century.
For those willing to put in the hours, the ride at Tesla — much like a Model S Plaid at full throttle — is fast, demanding, and nothing short of electrifying.