Justin Rattner, Intel's CTO since 2005, is stepping down from the role because of his age. The company said its rules do not allow any corporate officers older than 65.

Rattner is taking personal leave “to deal with a pressing family matter” but will come back in a different role. Intel's statement did not say when he will be coming back or what his future role will be.

In a statement, CEO Brian Krzanich thanked the outgoing CTO for his leadership in creating a leading high-tech research organization.

Rattner has been at Intel for 40 years. In 1979, he became the company's first principal engineer and the fourth Intel Fellow in 1988.

He has received a number of awards in the course of his career, including R&D Magazine's Scientist of the Year (1989) and Person of the Week by ABC News (1996). In 1997, Rattner made the Computing 200 by ACM Press and received the Industry Luminary Award for 21st Century Industrial Innovation from the Open Innovation Strategy and Policy Group.

The announcement follows departure of Intel's previous CEO Paul Otellini, who retired and was replaced by former COO Brian Krzanich.