Former Meta Tech Lead Henry Chen Laid Off After 13 Years

Meta Platforms Incorporated laid off Henry Chen, a former tech lead, on May 20, 2026. Chen joined the company in 2012 as a contractor specializing in audio-visual engineering for conference rooms and eventually transitioned into a software engineering role during his tenure.

Chen observed a significant shift in corporate culture following company-wide layoffs in late 2022 and early 2023. He noted a transition toward resource efficiency, a renewed emphasis on building, and the integration of artificial intelligence under changing leadership. Upon returning from paternity leave, Chen reported that the corporate environment had fundamentally changed.

After receiving a severance package, Chen spent time with his family before beginning a job search in June 2026. He is currently seeking roles in software engineering, IT, and collaboration technology.