Tesla Builds Its Own Recruiting Software in Fresh Push to Cut Outside Providers

Tesla has introduced proprietary software for tracking its job applicants, three current and former recruiting employees told The Information, a move that could lower hiring-related costs as CEO Elon Musk follows through on his goal to reduce the electric vehicle maker’s reliance on external software vendors.

The move by Tesla marks an unusual step to develop internal talent-related technology. Save for some of the biggest tech players, most companies have tended to pay for software developed by firms including Oracle, SAP and Avature, as Tesla has done.

The new application also underscores Tesla’s long-term recruiting ambitions. After Tesla increased its head count by 28,533 people last year, to 99,290, Musk in June said the carmaker would cut salaried jobs by 10%. But Tesla is continuing to review candidates and is making some hires, a current recruiter at the company said.