Stan Ng, Apple’s long-time marketing executive for the Apple Watch, AirPods, health and smart home products, announced his retirement after 31 years with the company. His departure was confirmed in a LinkedIn post where he shared details of his final day at Apple Park, including watching the sunrise while listening to his original iPod and completing a final workout with the device in hand. Ng’s career at Apple began in 1995 as a system engineer, predating the return of Steve Jobs to the company.
According to multiple verified reports, Ng played a pivotal role in shaping the marketing and positioning of the Apple Watch since its inception. He was instrumental in launching the original iPod and remained a key figure in Apple’s product marketing throughout the tenure of both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. His contributions extended to product launch videos, including notable appearances during the unveiling of the iPod touch in 2007.
In his LinkedIn message, Ng wrote, “After 31 years at Apple, today was my last day. It was a joy to work at Apple and I truly loved what I did.” The post highlighted personal milestones from his final day, emphasizing a reflective and personal farewell to his decades-long tenure. He specifically mentioned carrying his original iPod during a workout at Apple Park’s gym as a symbolic closure to his career that began with that very product.
Ng’s exit comes amid a broader wave of leadership transitions at Apple. Earlier in 2026, Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, retired from her role. John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, also announced his departure around the same time, according to Bloomberg News. These changes follow the retirements of operations chief Jeff Williams in 2025 and former hardware engineering head Dan Riccio in 2024.
Throughout his time at Apple, Ng was frequently seen presenting alongside senior leadership during product keynotes, particularly for Apple Watch and AirPods launches. His deep involvement in the development of wearable technology helped establish Apple’s presence in the health and fitness technology space. He contributed to the messaging around features such as heart rate monitoring, ECG capabilities, and fitness tracking that became central to the Apple Watch’s identity.
The Apple Watch, first introduced in 2015, has evolved into a cornerstone of Apple’s wearable ecosystem, with subsequent generations adding advanced health sensors, cellular connectivity, and tighter integration with iPhone and health services. Ng’s marketing leadership helped position the device not just as a gadget but as a health and lifestyle companion, a narrative that continues to define its market positioning.
His work also extended to the AirPods line, where he supported the launch and evolution of Apple’s wireless earbuds, which have become one of the company’s most successful accessories. From the original AirPods to the Pro and Max variants, Ng helped shape how the products were introduced and perceived by consumers worldwide.
As Apple continues to innovate in wearable technology and personal health, the departure of figures like Ng marks the end of an era defined by long-term institutional memory and product vision rooted in the early 2000s digital revolution. His career spanned the transition from the iPod era to the current era of services-integrated hardware, witnessing and contributing to some of Apple’s most defining product launches.
Ng’s retirement adds to a growing list of veteran Apple executives who have stepped away in recent years, reflecting a gradual shift in leadership as the company moves beyond its founding and early growth phases. While Apple has not announced a direct successor for Ng’s specific role, responsibilities for Apple Watch and related product marketing are expected to be distributed among existing leadership within the company’s marketing division.
For readers interested in following Apple’s leadership transitions and product developments, official updates are typically shared through Apple’s press releases, SEC filings, and executive communications. The company’s investor relations website provides access to formal announcements regarding leadership changes and corporate governance.
As the technology industry watches how Apple evolves its product portfolio and leadership structure, the contributions of long-term employees like Stan Ng serve as a reminder of the human element behind innovation. His career reflects not only personal dedication but also the evolution of consumer technology over three decades.
If you have reflections on Stan Ng’s career or the evolution of Apple’s wearable products, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Feel free to share this article with others who may appreciate this look into one of the quieter yet influential figures in Apple’s recent history.