Tesla's Terafab project, through which Elon Musk aims to support his space AI and robotic chip needs, has managed to bring an Intel veteran on board. Intel is Tesla's partner for the Terafab project and has partnered with the firm through its 14A chip manufacturing technology. The project should cost around $20 billion, according to Musk, and production is slated to occur in California and Texas.
Intel Veteran Gary Jiang To Act As Terafab's Director According To His LinkedIn Profile
According to the details, Tesla's first major hire for the Terafab project is Gary Jiang. Jiang revealed the move on his LinkedIn profile, where he now lists himself as "Director Tera Fab" - a role that he started in June 2026 and is based in Austin, Texas.
The capital outlay for the Terafab facility is massive. In a public hearing notice for Grimes County, where the project will be based, Musk's rocket company SpaceX outlined the costs. The notice saw SpaceX remark that it "proposes construction of a multi-phase, next-generation, vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturing and advanced computing fabrication facility, which would represent a transformative investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity."
The firm added that the "estimated capital investment for the initial phases is $55 billion, with an estimated total capital investment (if additional phases are constructed) of $119 billion."
Before joining Intel, Jiang spent close to 18 years at Intel. His latest role at the firm was working as a Factory Manager at Intel's Arizona facilities. Under this role, he was responsible for preparing the facilities for the 18A chip manufacturing facility. His earlier experience at Intel saw him oversee high-volume production for the firm's 22-nanometer and 14-nanometer chip manufacturing technologies.
His experience in managing and setting up chip manufacturing facilities appears to have played a role in his hiring for Terafab. Additionally, Jiang's former employer, Intel, is also Tesla's and SpaceX's Terafab partner through the 14A chip manufacturing technology. As a result, his experience of working at Intel should enable close cooperation between Intel and Terafab and enable clear communication in setting up a complex project.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is also eager to work with Musk. In a podcast earlier this month, Tan outlined that he and Musk both believed that semiconductor fabrication has not caught up with the demand generated by AI. The Intel executive added that he and Musk would "learn a lot together" through working on the project.
About the author: Ramish is a seasoned technology writer and editor with more than a decade of experience. He specializes in semiconductor fabrication and market analysis. With a background in finance and supply chain management - via his bachelors in Finance and a micromasters in supply chain management from MIT - Ramish combines financial rigor with deep industry insight to deliver accurate and authoritative coverage.
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