Apple Announces Retirement of Senior Hardware VP Bob Mansfield
Apple Announces Retirement of Senior Hardware VP Bob Mansfield
Although Jonathan Ive gets most of the spotlight for his sleek hardware designs, it's senior vice president of hardware engineering Bob Mansfield who's tasked with the job of making them a reality in recent years -- but that era is coming to an end.
Apple has announced the retirement of senior vice president of hardware engineering Bob Mansfield, one of a handful of executives seen in many of the company videos whenever new hardware is announced, most recently with the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display.
Although no date was set for Mansfield's departure, his role at the company will be transitioned over to Dan Riccio, Apple's current vice president of iPad hardware engineering, over the next few months.
“Bob has been an instrumental part of our executive team, leading the hardware engineering organization and overseeing the team that has delivered dozens of breakthrough products over the years,†said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO in a press release. “We are very sad to have him leave and hope he enjoys every day of his retirement.
“Dan has been one of Bob’s key lieutenants for a very long time and is very well respected within Apple and by the industry,†added Cook. “Our hardware engineering team is the best engineering team on earth and will not miss a beat during the transition.â€
Mansfield joined Apple in 1999 after the company acquired Raycer Graphics, where he was vice president of engineering. He would soon be kicked upstairs to lead Mac engineering in 2005, followed by iPhone and iPod hardware engineering in 2010 and has overseen engineering on the iPad right from the beginning.
Riccio's presence at Apple actually predates Mansfield by a year, hired as vice president of product design in 1998. After being a key contributor to most of Apple's hardware ever since, Riccio has been the go-to guy for iPad hardware since the first generation device was announced.
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