Salesforce Layoffs Hit Washington State With 59 Job Cuts

The layoffs, scheduled to take effect on Oct. 5, affect a broad mix of positions across the company. The list includes software engineers, technical support engineers, incident commanders, product management directors, and employees in marketing and sustainability leadership.

The latest cuts are part of another round of restructuring at the San Francisco-based software company. It is the third time Salesforce has announced layoffs this year. The company is also reducing its workforce at its San Francisco headquarters, where reports say 74 employees will lose their jobs as part of the reorganization. The shakeup has coincided with leadership changes, including the recent promotion of Miguel Milano to chief operating officer.

Salesforce has repeatedly emphasized artificial intelligence as a key driver of efficiency. Last year, CEO Marc Benioff said AI tools were helping the company improve productivity, even as Salesforce eliminated 93 positions in Washington state during a separate round of layoffs.

While the company continues to reduce headcount, it has also been adding senior leadership. Krishna Kumar Parthasarathy, a longtime Microsoft cybersecurity executive, recently joined Salesforce as executive vice president of engineering, where he will oversee engineering for Agentforce.

Washington remains one of Salesforce’s largest hubs following its $15.7 billion acquisition of Seattle-based Tableau in 2019. The company also recently renewed the lease on about 114,000 square feet of office space at the Data 1 building in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, underscoring its long-term presence in the region despite ongoing workforce reductions.

Salesforce is not the only tech company trimming jobs in Washington this week. Google has disclosed plans to eliminate 52 positions in the state, while Zillow is laying off 91 employees, adding to a string of workforce reductions across the region’s technology sector.