Amazon’s longtime robotics leader Brad Porter has left the company, according to a report from Business Insider.
Porter joined Amazon in 2007 and became a distinguished engineer in 2014, earning an exclusive title given to only a handful of employees. In 2017 he became VP of Amazon Robotics, managing the company’s robotic technology operations in its warehouses and with other high-tech projects.
He was in the news this year when he defended Amazon from criticism from a former vice president and distinguished engineer, Tim Bray, over the company’s firing of employee activists.
Business Insider reported that Porter will pursue a new opportunity, citing an email sent to staff by Dave Clark, Amazon’s SVP of worldwide operations.
Update: Here’s a statement from Clark: “Brad has been a great Amazonian for nearly 15 years, contributed in big ways to the organization, and has been someone I have enjoyed working closely with the past few years. I wish nothing but the best for Brad as he moves on to his new role.”
Last year Amazon said there were 200,000 robots working at its distribution facilities around the world.
