Pickle Robot Appoints Former Tesla Executive Jeff Evanson as First CFO Amid UPS Partnership Expansion
Pickle Robot, a leader in autonomous unloading solutions for warehouses and distribution centers, has appointed Jeff Evanson as its inaugural Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This strategic move comes shortly after reports of a significant partnership expansion with global shipping giant UPS.
Based in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Pickle Robot announced Evanson’s full-time appointment on December 18, 2025. Evanson, who began consulting for the company in September, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Tesla, where he served as Vice President of Global Investor Relations and Strategy from 2011 to 2017. In that role, he collaborated closely with CEO Elon Musk, playing a pivotal part in securing debt and equity financing to support the launch of multiple Tesla vehicle lines and company acquisitions.
Evanson’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Pickle Robot, which was founded in 2018 and has since raised approximately $100 million in venture capital. The company specializes in developing autonomous robots designed to streamline the unloading process in logistics operations, addressing critical challenges in efficiency and labor shortages within the industry.
The timing of Evanson’s appointment aligns with reports of an expanded partnership between Pickle Robot and UPS. According to Bloomberg, UPS is investing $120 million to acquire 400 of Pickle’s robots, with deployments scheduled to commence in late 2026 and early 2027. While Pickle Robot declined to comment on the specifics of the UPS deal, a company spokesperson confirmed that UPS has been a customer for several years, though the exact timeline of the partnership remains undisclosed.
This development underscores the growing trend of logistics companies investing in automation to enhance operational efficiency and meet increasing demand. By integrating advanced robotics into their supply chain processes, companies like UPS aim to optimize performance and address labor challenges in the rapidly evolving logistics landscape.
