Meta lays off nearly 1,400 Washington employees in latest tech workforce cut
Meta is cutting nearly 1,400 employees in Washington state, including roles in Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, as part of a broader AI-focused restructuring announced last week. The layoffs, beginning July 22, affect software engineers, data scientists, and other technical staff, while Meta shifts thousands of workers into AI initiatives amid fierce competition with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.
Meta will eliminate nearly 1,400 jobs across Washington state, including 699 in Bellevue, 259 in Seattle, 206 in Redmond, and 231 remote positions, effective July 22. The company filed a WARN notice with Washington state officials, confirming layoffs and role closures as part of a global restructuring to prioritize artificial intelligence development. Affected employees, notified on May 20, include software engineers, data scientists, content designers, and IT staff, reflecting deep cuts across Meta’s technical workforce. The move aligns with Meta’s broader plan to reduce its global workforce by roughly 10% while accelerating AI investments. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has framed AI as central to the company’s future, redirecting resources toward data centers, advanced chips, and internal AI tools. Meta’s global workforce stood at nearly 78,000 employees as of March, according to securities filings. Washington’s tech hub will bear the brunt of the cuts, with Bellevue facing the largest impact. The company’s Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale, signed the filing, and affected employees will retain pay and benefits through their termination dates. Meta’s restructuring follows a similar wave of layoffs in other regions, signaling a company-wide shift toward automation and AI-driven priorities. The layoffs underscore Meta’s aggressive push into AI, positioning it in direct competition with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. The company has committed billions to AI initiatives, including infrastructure and talent realignment, as it seeks to dominate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Employees affected by the cuts were informed in advance, though the broader implications for Meta’s operations remain uncertain.
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