Apple's Head of Retail Engineering Leaving Company After 10 Years - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's Head of Retail Engineering Leaving Company After 10 Years

Diogo Rau, who has served as Apple's head of engineering for retail and the online Apple store, will leave the company following 10 years of service to join Lilly as its senior VP and chief information and digital officer.

apple store reopening
Rau announced his departure from Apple on Linkedin, saying that it has been a privilege to work with his colleagues at Apple and that the company has "set the standard for the retail industry."

Rau joined Apple in April of 2011, and during his tenure, he witnessed and helped the company expand its retail locations and presence around the world. Throughout the years, Apple Stores have taken on a life of their own, serving as a community hub rather than simply a place to purchase products.

Rau also spearheaded Apple's efforts in the digital space, helping to grow its e-commerce platforms, the Apple Store app, and the roll-out of product launches at retail locations. Rau will begin his new role at Lilly on May 17.

Popular Stories

Apple Passeig de Gracia

Apple's Impressive Barcelona Store Reopens Next Month

Monday April 6, 2026 9:46 am PDT by
Apple's beautiful Passeig de Gràcia store in the heart of Barcelona, Spain has been temporarily closed for renovations since mid-February, but the location is finally set to reopen next month. The store will resume business on May 26, according to Apple's website. Apple Passeig de Gràcia Apple Passeig de Gràcia first opened in 2012, and it is one of the company's flagship retail locations....
Apple Victoria Gardens 2

Two Apple Stores in U.S. and Australia Will Soon Be Temporarily Closed

Wednesday April 8, 2026 2:56 pm PDT by
Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California will be temporarily closed for renovations starting the evening of Saturday, April 11. Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California The store will reopen in the fall, according to a notice on Apple's website spotted by MacRumors reader Kate. No specific date was provided, but Apple will likely aim to resume business ahead of...
Apple Towson Town Center

Apple is Permanently Closing Three U.S. Stores in June

Thursday April 9, 2026 9:30 am PDT by
Apple today announced it will be permanently closing three retail stores in the U.S. in June, including Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut, Apple North County in Escondido, California, and Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland. Apple Towson Town Center in Maryland Apple issued the following statement to MacRumors:At Apple, we are constantly striving to deliver exceptional service...

Top Rated Comments

66 months ago

Community? Hub? LOL @ This. I am tryin to get in and out of an Apple Store as quickly as possible. Best if I can just get it online shipped. The times I've had to go in there, I feel like cattle. Plus I have to go to a mall to get there.
This. It’s probably been a couple of years since I had to tolerate an apple store.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago

Throughout the years, Apple Stores have taken on a life of their own, serving as a community hub rather than simply a place to purchase products.
Community? Hub? LOL @ This. I am tryin to get in and out of an Apple Store as quickly as possible. Best if I can just get it online shipped. The times I've had to go in there, I feel like cattle. Plus I have to go to a mall to get there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T Coma Avatar
66 months ago
I’m an engineer.
Really? What, a EE?
No, a retail engineer.
😐
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TravelsInBlue Avatar
66 months ago
Apple stores have had an increasingly terrible customer experience, and the ones near me have become sterile and fuglier over the last ten years. The Microsoft store across the pathway was always nicer looking with a more pleasant shopping experience. I always just end up going to Best Buy these days.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
66 months ago
Is he responsible for the non sense that tied the Apple Store app to your iCloud account on your device? Haven't been able to use it since.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigfatipod Avatar
66 months ago
For those knocking on the title of "retail engineer", I think its worth giving this person a lot of credit in what they've accomplished.
If that's still not enough, he certainly has the background to understand "wires".
Rau graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in computer science and a master's degree in industrial engineering and engineering management.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Travel | Buyers Guide | Business | Iphone | Politics