Meet John Ternus, the engineer set to become Apple’s next CEO

John Ternus is an American engineer and business executive who has served as the senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple Inc. since 2021.

He first joined the company in 2001, beginning a long career that has seen him rise through the ranks to become one of Apple’s top leaders.

Background

Born on May 1975, John Ternus built his academic foundation at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1997.

While at the university, he was not only academically inclined but also active in sports as a member of the men’s swimming team.

For his final-year project, he designed a mechanical feeding device to assist individuals living with quadriplegia, reflecting an early interest in practical, human-focused engineering solutions.

Early career path

Before joining Apple Inc., Ternus worked at Virtual Research Systems as a mechanical engineer, where he helped design virtual reality headsets.

This early exposure to emerging technology laid the groundwork for his future role in shaping consumer electronics at a global scale.

Rise through Apple’s ranks

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 as part of the product design team, initially contributing to projects like the Apple Cinema Display.

Over the years, he steadily climbed the leadership ladder, becoming vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 under Dan Riccio.

In this role, he oversaw key product lines including Mac, iPad, and AirPods.

His responsibilities expanded further in 2020 when he took charge of iPhone hardware engineering.

By 2021, he was promoted to senior vice president of hardware engineering, replacing Riccio, and later assumed oversight of Apple Watch hardware as well.

Key contributions and influence

Throughout his career, Ternus has played a central role in the development of nearly all of Apple’s major hardware products.

His work spans multiple generations of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, as well as newer innovations like AirPods and Apple Watch.

He was also instrumental in Apple’s transition to its in-house silicon chips, a move widely seen as a turning point for the company’s Mac lineup.

Beyond engineering, Ternus has become a regular face at Apple’s major product launches and WWDC events, where he has introduced several flagship devices, including updates to the iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro.

Leadership style and reputation

Widely described as one of the younger members of Apple’s executive team, Ternus is known for his technical depth, calm leadership style, and strong rapport with colleagues.

His combination of engineering expertise and long institutional experience has made him a natural contender for higher leadership roles within the company.

Becoming Apple’s next CEO

On April 20, 2026, Apple announced that Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, 2026. Ternus has been named as his successor, confirming long-standing speculation about his future at the company.

As he prepares to take over as CEO, Ternus brings more than two decades of experience within Apple and a deep understanding of its product ecosystem.

His appointment signals continuity in Apple’s leadership, with expectations that he will maintain the company’s focus on innovation, particularly in hardware, while guiding it through the next phase of technological evolution.