Intel Corp., the world’s largest computer-chip maker, said Justin Rattner will step down as chief technology officer and director of Intel Labs.

Rattner will go on personal leave immediately to handle a family matter, and will return later in a role to be determined, the company said Thursday in a blog post. His transition out of the CTO role is required under Intel’s bylaws, which say employees may not serve as corporate officers past age 65.

The executive joined Intel in 1973, and was named its first principal engineer in 1979. Intel Labs staff will report to President Renee James until further leadership decisions are made, the company said.

Intel Chief Executive Officer Brian Krzanich, who took the helm last month, thanked Rattner “for his leadership in creating one of the leading research organizations in the high tech industry,” according to the blog post.