Apple Mac hardware exec Doug Field departs for Tesla

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Apple’s vice president of Mac hardware engineering, Doug Field, has left the company to join Tesla Motors.

Doug Field, Tesla's latest hire.

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Tesla announced the hire Thursday, saying Field would become the company’s vice president of vehicle programs.

“Tesla’s future depends on engineers who can create the most innovative, technologically advanced vehicles in the world,” Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk said in a statement. “Doug’s experience in both consumer electronics and traditional automotive makes him an important addition to our leadership team.”

Apple declined to comment.

Before joining Apple, Field was Segway’s chief technology officer. He left the company in mid-2008 after nearly a decade there. Earlier stints in the vehicle industry include six years as a development engineer at Ford.