Archive · 1 Sep 2026
John Ternus Rises From Apple Hardware Engineer To CEO
John Ternus has worked at Apple since 2001.
He started on the company’s Product Design team.
Over time, he became responsible for more and more Apple products.
He helped oversee hardware for the Mac, iPad, AirPods, iPhone and Apple Watch.
He also appeared at Apple events to present new products.
His teams worked on making devices more reliable and durable.
They also worked on materials, repairability and longer product lifespans.
Apple says his organization helped develop features such as improved AirPods noise cancellation.
Now Ternus is taking on Apple’s top executive role as the company begins a new leadership chapter.
John Ternus joined Apple’s Product Design team in 2001, beginning with work including the Apple Cinema Display.
He became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013, overseeing Mac, iPad and AirPods hardware development.
Ternus assumed responsibility for iPhone hardware in 2020 and became senior vice president in 2021.
He later took charge of Apple Watch hardware and presented products including iPad Pro, iMac and MacBook Pro models.
Apple credits his hardware organization with work on durability, recycled materials, repairability, AirPods noise cancellation and hearing-health features.
- Who
- John Ternus, Apple’s new chief executive, and the company’s hardware organization.
- What
- Ternus’s career progression through Apple’s hardware ranks and his work overseeing the company’s product engineering.
- When
- Ternus joined Apple in 2001; he became a vice president in 2013, took on iPhone hardware in 2020, became senior vice president in 2021, and assumed Apple Watch hardware responsibilities in late 2022.
- Where
- At Apple, across its Product Design and Hardware Engineering organizations.
- Why
- His nearly 25 years of experience overseeing Apple hardware have positioned him to lead the company during a new leadership chapter.
- Company
- Apple
- New CEO
- John Ternus
- Apple start date
- 2001
- Vice president appointment
- 2013
- Senior vice president appointment
- 2021
- Product areas
- Mac, iPad, AirPods, iPhone and Apple Watch
- Engineering focus
- Reliability, durability, materials and repairability