Meta's longtime infrastructure chief, Santosh Janardhan, is set to depart the company in early 2027, concluding a tenure that spans over 17 years. Janardhan played a crucial role in building the hardware, data centers, and computing infrastructure that supported Meta's growth. The move comes at a critical juncture for Meta as it pours vast sums into artificial intelligence (AI), constructing specialized data centers, custom chips, and high-performance networks to stay competitive in the generative AI race.
Janardhan, who also serves as co-head of engineering, will continue with Meta through the first quarter of 2027 to oversee the transition. He will later serve as chief technology officer of Meta Compute in an advisory role. Joining Facebook in October 2009, Janardhan became a key executive managing the infrastructure supporting Meta's global operations, expanding his responsibilities beyond traditional infrastructure management to include hardware networks, custom silicon programs, and the company's extensive data-center network.
In an internal memo, Janardhan acknowledged that infrastructure has evolved from a support function into a core competitive advantage for Meta. His departure coincides with computing capacity becoming a crucial factor determining Meta's ability to develop and deploy AI products quickly. The company has not linked Janardhan's departure to any specific dispute or strategic disagreement, and he did not provide a reason for leaving in the memo.
Dave Brown, who joined Meta this year as vice president of infrastructure, will take over operational leadership of the division. Brown brings nearly two decades of experience from Amazon Web Services, where he most recently oversaw compute and machine-learning services. With his background, Brown is well-positioned to lead Meta as it enters an expensive phase of its AI expansion.
Meta has significantly increased its spending on infrastructure necessary for AI competition. The company raised its full-year 2026 capital expenditure forecast to between $135 billion and $145 billion in its third-quarter results, driven by investments in specialized data centers, custom chips, power infrastructure, and high-performance networking. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has prioritized AI as a strategic focus for the company, aiming to strengthen its position in generative AI and build the necessary infrastructure to support its growing ambitions.
Janardhan has also been involved in the strategic allocation of Meta's computing resources alongside Vice Chairman Dina Powell McCormick and Vice President Daniel Gross. His exit comes as Meta enters a period in which decisions over where to deploy billions of dollars in computing capacity could have significant consequences for its AI strategy.