Another top Intel executive is stepping down.

Doug Fisher, head of Intel's software group and one of its most senior Oregon executives, notified employees Tuesday of his retirement.

"We are grateful to Doug for all of his contributions to Intel over more than two decades, and we wish him the very best," Intel said in a written statement.

An Oregon State University graduate (and a Stanford MBA), Fisher, 57, spent 23 years at Intel - the last five as the senior vice president running its software and services business. Though Intel is known for its computing horsepower, it depends on software to enable virtual reality, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Intel has had a succession of management changes in the past three years, culminating in June with the abrupt exit of chief executive Brian Krzanich after the company uncovered evidence of a past "relationship" with an employee in violation of company policy.

Other recent departures include former data center chief Diane Bryant, former chief financial officer Stacy Smith, former chief information officer Kim Stevenson and former chief marketing officer Steve Fund. Fisher is the first significant departure since Krzanich left.

At the same time, Intel has made some notable technical hires. In June, it hired former Tesla executive Jim Keller to lead its silicon engineering. Keller is widely respected in technical circles and had previously held top jobs at AMD and Apple.

And last November, Intel hired Raja Koduri as its chief architect. Koduri previously held executive roles at Apple and AMD.

Intel said Koduri will lead the company's software group until it chooses a successor for Fisher.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699