Apple's Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, Bob Mansfield, is retiring

Apple has just issued a press release stating that Bob Mansfield, the company's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is retiring. Readers will probably recognize Mansfield from the videos Apple releases for new products, such as the new iPad and the MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

Mansfield has been with Apple since 1999 and during his time as Senior VP of Hardware Engineering he has overseen virtually every successful hardware launch at the company, including the MacBook Air, the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Announcing Mansfield's departure, Tim Cook said, "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. We are very sad to have him leave and hope he enjoys every day of his retirement."

Mansfield's role will be taken over by Dan Riccio. Riccio has been with Apple since 1998 and was previously its Vice President of Product Design.