Magic Leap Promotes Scott Carden to Chief Operating Officer, Accelerating Partners’ Path to AI Display Glasses through Waveguide Innovation

PLANTATION, Fla.--September 10, 2026--Magic Leap, the pioneer in augmented reality (AR) optics, today announced the promotion of Scott Carden from SVP of Display Engineering and Manufacturing to Chief Operating Officer. The promotion reflects Carden's leadership in Magic Leap's strategic pivot to become an essential AR ecosystems partner, waveguide supplier, and device integration expert.

In his new role, Carden will oversee Magic Leap's operating plan and lead its waveguide engineering and manufacturing operations. He will focus on scaling production and delivering the company's waveguide cost and performance roadmap. This work will help Magic Leap meet partners' product requirements and timelines as it accelerates its partner-first model for AI display glasses.

"Scott's expertise is critical to the success of Magic Leap's waveguide supplier strategy, as he has advanced our ability to deliver what partners need most: high-performance waveguides at a cost that supports scale," said Avi Bar-Zeev, Magic Leap Board Member. "As Magic Leap moves deeper into its partner-first model, having that expertise driving operations gives us real conviction in our ability to deliver on our roadmap."

Since joining Magic Leap in 2015, Carden has held leadership roles in equipment, materials, and process engineering for R&D and manufacturing operations. Most recently, as SVP of Display Engineering and Manufacturing, he helped shape the company's new strategy and advance the high-performance waveguides and manufacturing model at its center.

"The consumer market for AI display glasses depends on bringing the full display system down to a price that works within a wearable, affordable product," said Carden. "That requires a tricky combination: waveguides that deliver the optical performance consumers expect and a manufacturing process that can produce them efficiently at scale. As COO, I look forward to building on Magic Leap's decade of progress across both sides of that equation to help partners find a faster, more practical path to market."

Magic Leap's purpose-built waveguide manufacturing process offers a structural advantage, unlocking a larger glasses market for OEMs. Through vertical integration, its proprietary design, materials, and process capabilities outstrip competitors in waveguide performance, cost, and scalability.

Under Carden's leadership, Magic Leap will continue advancing waveguide performance, cost and manufacturing scale, enabling OEMs to tap its advanced AR display technology for AI wearables.

Ross Rosenberg, who led the company's pivot from a first-party device maker to an AR ecosystems partner, transitioned out of the CEO role and is currently serving as a Magic Leap Board member.

As a board member, Rosenberg plans to continue advising leadership on the company's role as a supplier of high-performance waveguides for organizations building AR wearables, providing continuity, institutional knowledge and strategic context as the company enters its new phase. An active search is underway for a new CEO.

With Magic Leap's new strategy defined, the incoming CEO will inherit strong momentum. The company remains committed to creating value for partners, advancing waveguide performance and supporting innovation across AR ecosystems.