An Apple Inc. veteran who led work on house gadgets and helped begin efforts to develop an electrical car is leaving for Rivian Automotive Inc., marking one more senior departure for the iPhone maker.
DJ Novotney, a vp of {hardware} engineering, knowledgeable colleagues Friday of his exit, based on folks with data of the matter. He’ll develop into senior vp of auto packages at Rivian, the maker of electrical SUVs and pickup vehicles, and report back to Chief Government Officer RJ Scaringe, mentioned the folks, who requested to not be named discussing unannounced issues.
Novotney, who labored at Apple for practically 25 years, was often called a senior lieutenant to most of the firm’s prime {hardware} engineering executives. He was instrumental within the improvement of a number of generations of the iPod and iPhone, and was tapped by former {hardware} chief Dan Riccio to assist lead improvement of the iPad, the folks mentioned.
“Great products are what we do best and I have been so very lucky along the way to be part of so many amazing teams that developed everything from iPod, iPhone, iPad, Watch and so many more,” Novotney wrote in a memo to colleagues that was seen by Bloomberg. “Apple has been my life, but now is the time for me to move on and help bring to life a new set of products.”
Novotney additionally helped carry the Apple Watch to market, having been introduced on to the undertaking by Apple Chief Working Officer Jeff Williams and former head designer Jony Ive. A couple of decade in the past, Novotney was one of some executives tapped to kick begin Apple’s efforts to develop an electrical car — a undertaking codenamed Titan.
Amid a re-organization of the car project following continued setbacks a number of years in the past, Novotney moved on to develop into a senior government answerable for creating future house gadgets, together with some within the robotics and synthetic intelligence areas. Apple has explored a HomePod with a show that may swivel by way of a robotic arm, Bloomberg Information has reported.
Rivian sees the rent as a serious coup. Novotney, who’s beginning on the firm on Monday, will probably be considered one of a couple of dozen senior vice presidents. In his new function, he’ll lead product administration for merchandise and engineering, making him one of many firm’s most crucial executives.
Rivian’s Scaringe took the pinnacle of product function after the earlier government answerable for improvement, Nick Kalayjian stepped again, Bloomberg Information reported in November. Kalayjian is leaving the carmaker this 12 months and Novotney will tackle a lot of his obligations.
Spokespeople for Apple and Rivian declined to remark. Novotney didn’t reply to a request for remark.
For Cupertino-based Apple, the transfer marks one more exit within the senior ranks. Tang Tan, Apple’s vp of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch, is leaving the corporate subsequent month for LoveFrom, Ive’s design agency, whereas {hardware} applied sciences chief Steve Hotelling exited late last year. Throughout 2022 and 2023, it lost a slew of different executives in {hardware}, operations and companies.
Irvine, California-based Rivian has been seen as a number one contender amongst a handful of EV startups chasing market chief Tesla Inc. It makes two client fashions — battery-electric pickups and sport utility autos referred to as R1T and R1S. The corporate additionally makes a battery-electric supply van for Amazon.com Inc. and just lately introduced it had been free of exclusivity to promote the last-mile product to others.
