The reported job cuts come as Apple simplifies its management structure and reshuffles engineering leadership, while separate California filings reveal 147 permanent job reductions across three locations.
Apple has reportedly laid off several hardware programme managers as part of an organisational restructuring aimed at reducing management layers and streamlining its engineering operations.
According to Bloomberg reporting cited by MacRumors, the changes are part of a broader effort by Apple CEO John Ternus and Chief Hardware Officer Johny Srouji to simplify the company’s management structure and improve operational efficiency.
Apple has not announced a company-wide workforce reduction. The exact number of hardware programme managers affected by the reported departures has also not been disclosed.
Apple Restructures Hardware and Display Engineering Teams
The reported organisational changes extend to Apple’s display development operations, where the company is also making leadership adjustments.
Long-serving executives Wei Chen and John Zhong, both of whom have spent approximately three decades at Apple, are reportedly transitioning into advisory roles.
Meanwhile, Victor Yin is taking responsibility for much of the company’s display development work.
Apple has also promoted three engineering leaders — Rajesh Ambati, Louie Sanguinetti and Derek Shaeffer — to vice-president positions, according to MacRumors.
These leadership changes indicate a shift in responsibilities across Apple’s engineering organisation as the company works to streamline its management structure.
California WARN Filing Reveals 147 Job Cuts
Separately, employment records filed with the California authorities indicate that Apple is eliminating 147 permanent positions across three locations in Cupertino and Sunnyvale.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing, dated August 20, lists October 19 as the effective date of the job reductions.
The affected roles span several technical and engineering functions, including:
- Software engineering.
- Machine learning.
- Computer vision.
- Engineering programme management.
- Augmented reality and virtual reality development.
These job reductions are separate from the recently reported departures of hardware programme managers. There is currently no confirmation that the two groups overlap.
Earlier reports also highlighted workforce reductions involving Apple’s Vision Pro, Siri and software teams. However, the available information does not establish a single combined figure for all the reported job cuts.
Apple Increases Research and Development Spending
The workforce restructuring comes as Apple continues to increase its investment in research and development.
According to TheStreet, Apple spent approximately $11.7 billion on research and development during the third quarter of fiscal 2026, compared with $8.9 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier.
The increase reflects the company’s continued investment in technology development and infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, alongside higher employee-related expenses.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that the reported hardware programme manager layoffs were directly caused by AI adoption or automation.
Management Restructuring Amid Continued Technology Investments
Apple’s latest organisational changes highlight the company’s efforts to streamline management responsibilities and reorganise engineering leadership while maintaining significant investments in research and development.
The reported departures of hardware programme managers, changes within display development and separate job reductions disclosed through California employment filings point to multiple workforce adjustments across the organisation.
However, the total number of employees affected by these changes remains unclear. Apple has also not confirmed whether additional workforce restructuring measures are planned.
For the technology industry, the developments reflect how major companies are reassessing organisational structures and workforce requirements while continuing to invest in emerging technologies.
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