Apple Research Scientist Yilun Chen Joins Tesla’s Optimus AI Team

The Apple veteran says the Optimus lab's scale, flat structure, fast iterations, plus deep dedication convinced him to join.

Overview

Chen announced the move in a career update on X after nearly four years at Apple, where he rose from individual contributor to technical lead.
He said a visit to Tesla’s Optimus lab left him “totally blown away” by its scale, sophistication, and the team’s dedication.
In his first week, he described a flat team structure, spontaneous deep‑tech discussions, rapid prototyping, and “crazy ideas with super‑fast iterations.”
He cast Optimus as a way to bring humanoids within reach, citing LLM‑driven reasoning, “Physical AI,” and Tesla’s blend of software, hardware, and AI talent.
Reporters frame the hire as a notable talent win as Tesla continues to expand its high‑profile humanoid robotics program.