Facebook Director of Engineering Ari Steinberg booked his ticket out of the social network, confirming to TechCrunch that Friday will be his last day, and that he is leaving to found a travel startup.
Steinberg leaves behind big shoes for Facebook to fill, as he developed the social network’s platform with Dave Morin, as well as overseeing its news feed, starting up its engineering office in Seattle, and developing Facebook Messenger for Windows.
TechCrunch reported that Facebook tapped new co-heads for its Seattle office: longtime Engineer Wayne Chang and recent hire Rohit Wad.
Steinberg told TechCrunch:
I’ve had an amazing six-and-a-half years here. I feel lucky to have worked on such cool stuff with such talented people, and I’m looking forward to trying something new.
Steinberg will become the latest name on the ever-expanding list of high-profile Facebook executives to depart the social network since its May 18 initial public offering, joining:
- Vice President of Corporate Communications Joe Lockhart
- Designer Ben Blumenfeld
- Platform Marketing Director Katie Mitic
- Mobile Platform Marketing Manager Jonathan Matus
- Director of Platform Partnerships Ethan Beard
- Director of Product Management Carl Sjogreen
- Chief Technology Officer Bret Taylor
- Director of Corporate Communications and Public Policy Barry Schnitt
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