Apple announced on Monday that longtime chief hardware engineer Dan Riccio will transition to the role of vice president of engineering by taking on a “new project” for the technology giant.
Riccio will step down from his current position as senior vice president of hardware engineering, but will remain subordinate to CEO Tim Cook. John Ternus will now lead Apple’s Hardware Engineering organization as a member of the executive team.
“Every innovation that Dan helped Apple bring to life has made us a better and more innovative company, and we are excited that he remains part of the team,” said Cook. “John’s deep knowledge and extensive experience make him a bold and visionary leader of our hardware engineering teams. I want to congratulate you on these exciting new steps and I look forward to many other innovations that will help bring you into the world.”
Riccio joined Apple in 1998 as vice president of product design and rose through the ranks to oversee the first iPad as VP of Hardware Engineering for the iPad in 2010. In 2012, Riccio and his executive colleague Craig Federighi were promoted to vice status – senior president, replacing former head of hardware Bob Mansfield as SVP of Hardware Engineering.
“Working at Apple has been an opportunity of a lifetime, dedicated to making the best products in the world with the most talented people you can imagine,” said Riccio in a prepared statement. “After 23 years of leading our Product Design or Hardware Engineering teams – culminating in our biggest and most ambitious product year ever – it’s the right time for a change. Next, I’m looking forward to doing what I want. I love the most – to focus all my time and energy on Apple to create something new and wonderful that I couldn’t be more excited about. ”
Riccio’s transition to a vice president strangely resembles Mansfield’s move in 2012. At the time, Mansfield was about to retire, but agreed to remain in a limited capacity to advise Cook on “future products”. Four years later, Mansfield was reportedly chosen to lead the “Apple Car” project after his former boss, Steve Zadesky, left Apple with strained relations. The effort is now led by the head of AI and Siri, John Giannandrea.
The executive reshuffle comes amid reports that the development of an alleged AR headset “Apple Glass” has been halted.
In place of Riccio is Apple veteran and current vice president of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus. A member of Apple’s Product Design team since 2001, Ternus oversaw hardware engineering efforts on products, including the first generation AirPods and each generation of iPad. More recently, Ternus has featured in key presentations detailing the transition from Mac to Apple Silicon.