Apple is restructuring parts of its workforce under new CEO John Ternus, with reported layoffs affecting hardware programme managers, engineering directors, and teams working on Siri and Vision Pro. The changes come as Apple looks to reduce management layers, accelerate product development, and strengthen its engineering-focused operations.

According to reports from Gulf News and People Matters, the restructuring involves multiple rounds of workforce reductions and leadership changes, although the total number of affected employees remains unclear.

Here's what happened.

TL;DR

 

• Apple has reportedly laid off hardware programme managers and several engineering directors as CEO John Ternus simplifies management structures.
• Earlier workforce reductions reportedly affected around 200 employees across Siri, Vision Pro, and related software teams.
• California employment records confirm 147 permanent layoffs across three Apple locations.
• Apple's restructuring also includes engineering leadership changes, with further workforce adjustments remaining possible.

Apple Layoffs Target Hardware Managers And Engineering Teams

Apple's latest restructuring is affecting its hardware engineering division, with CEO John Ternus and Chief Hardware Officer Johny Srouji reportedly working to reduce management layers and streamline internal operations.

Source

According to People Matters, Apple has dismissed some hardware programme managers in recent weeks. Earlier reporting also identified the removal of around six directors from its engineering organisation.

The affected employees reportedly received several weeks to find alternative positions within Apple, with those unable to secure another internal role facing potential layoffs.

The changes are part of a broader effort to bring engineers closer to senior leadership, simplify decision-making, and accelerate product development.

Gulf News, in its recent report, described the restructuring as involving more than 400 job cuts across different teams. However, Apple has not publicly confirmed a consolidated workforce reduction of that size, and the available reports do not establish a definitive company-wide layoff figure.

The restructuring extends beyond hardware management.

Earlier reports indicated that approximately 200 employees were affected by workforce reductions involving Apple's Vision Products Group, Siri, and related software engineering teams.

The reported reductions included around 100 positions associated with Vision Pro and another 100 across Siri and software development operations.

Meanwhile, California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) records identify 147 permanent layoffs across three Apple locations.

• 79 positions at Apple's Cupertino headquarters.
• 40 positions at its West Maude Avenue office in Sunnyvale.
• 28 positions at another Sunnyvale location on North Mathilda Avenue.

The notices were dated August 20, 2026, with the layoffs taking effect on October 19, 2026.

As People Matters highlighted in its report, the records do not establish whether the recently dismissed hardware programme managers were included in these figures.

Consequently, the reported job cuts cannot simply be added together to determine Apple's total workforce reduction.

John Ternus Pushes For Faster Development And Fewer Management Layers

The workforce changes come shortly after John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as Apple's CEO on September 1, 2026, following a leadership transition announced in April.

Cook moved into the executive chairman position, while Ternus, previously Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, assumed responsibility for the company's overall operations.

In its official leadership announcement, Apple said Ternus would bring extensive engineering experience and a strong understanding of product development to the position.

“We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim,” said Arthur Levinson, Apple's former chairman, in the company's announcement.

Levinson also highlighted Ternus's technical knowledge and focus on developing products as important strengths for Apple's next phase.

Ternus has been exploring changes to Apple's traditional product development and launch schedules.

These reportedly include releasing products more frequently rather than relying heavily on the company's established spring and autumn launch cycles.

The restructuring also involves reducing middle-management positions and allowing engineering teams to work more directly with senior executives.

Separately, Apple's engineering leadership is undergoing changes.

MacRumors reported that longtime display executives Wei Chen and John Zhong, both of whom have spent approximately three decades at Apple, are transitioning into more limited advisory responsibilities.

Victor Yin is taking responsibility for much of Apple's display development, while Rajesh Ambati, Louie Sanguinetti, and Derek Shaeffer have been promoted to vice-president positions covering connectivity hardware and software.

These changes suggest that Apple's restructuring involves both workforce reductions and the redistribution of engineering responsibilities.

Apple's AI Plans Add Another Dimension To Workforce Changes

Artificial intelligence is also featuring in Apple's wider operational planning.

According to Gulf News, Apple had considered a proposal involving approximately 5,000 AppleCare support positions, with AI-powered systems potentially handling customer support tasks previously performed by employees.

However, the proposal was reportedly shelved, meaning the 5,000 positions should not be counted as announced or completed layoffs.

At the same time, Apple has been increasing its research and development expenditure.

People Matters, citing TheStreet, reported that Apple's research and development spending reached approximately $11.7 billion in its fiscal third quarter of 2026, compared with around $8.9 billion during the corresponding period a year earlier.
 

For the first nine months of fiscal 2026, the figure reportedly increased to approximately $34 billion from $25.7 billion.

The spending growth reflects Apple's continued investment in engineering, infrastructure, and AI-related capabilities while adjusting parts of its workforce.

However, the available reporting does not establish that AI adoption directly caused the hardware programme manager layoffs.

More Apple Workforce Changes Could Follow

The restructuring may not be over.

Some Apple employees anticipate further workforce changes before the end of 2026 or in early 2027.

Early planning discussions for 2027 have also reportedly involved tighter budgets and relatively flat staffing levels, although these discussions do not establish a company-wide hiring freeze.

Apple has not announced a company-wide reduction programme or disclosed a definitive total for the latest engineering management layoffs.

For now, the changes indicate a shift in how Apple intends to organise its engineering teams under Ternus, with fewer management layers, greater coordination between technical departments, and an emphasis on delivering products more quickly.

Whether these changes translate into broader workforce reductions or measurable improvements in product development remains to be seen.