Kaushik Kalaga

About Kaushik Kalaga

Battery technology leader with 12+ years of experience spanning advanced electrochemistry, consumer hardware, and system-level productization. Currently leading multi-year battery platform development at Amazon Lab126, focusing on advanced anode technologies, system reliability, and scalable deployment across product lines. Experience includes: • Platform ownership from concept to production • Field failure analysis and validation strategy • Cross-functional leadership across HW, FW, and operations • Sustainability initiatives including second-life battery systems Core Technical Expertise:Cell Design for High-Energy Systems: Tailored for energy density, cycle life, and integration efficiencyMaterials Characterization: Experience with electrodes, electrolytes, and failure analysisElectrochemical Validation & Reliability Testing: Bench-to-system level testingIndustry Standards Compliance: Deep familiarity with safety, transport, and recycling regulations Sustainability & Strategic Impact:I led a high-visibility proposal projected to save >$200M and MT CO₂e through smart design decisions, circular practices, and robust lifecycle analysis (LCA) of battery components and manufacturing processes. This sharpened my ability to evaluate systems holistically — through both a carbon and cost lens — and frame sustainability as a business enabler.🤝 Cross-Functional Leadership:In addition to engineering execution, I manage multi-team battery development programs involving:Charger IC selection, fuel gauge validation, and SW integrationReliability coordination, teardown analysis, and design for manufacturabilityRunning readiness reviews, driving roadmaps, and aligning stakeholders across 5+ XF teamsThese roles have given me significant exposure to program ownership, stakeholder communication, and mechanisms for driving execution at scale. Vision & Leadership Aspiration:I aspire to lead a Battery Circular Economy team at Amazon — one that unites deep technical rigor with customer-obsessed, carbon-conscious decision making. My leadership style is shaped by Amazon’s core principles:Customer Obsession: Designing batteries that maximize product safety, longevity, and recyclabilityDeep Dive: Using LCA, teardown data, and field returns to shape future-proof decisionsBias for Action: Leading pilot programs and mechanisms that drive near-term impactThink Big: Reimagining how energy systems can align with Amazon’s climate goals and device scale

Experience

1. Senior Battery Systems Engineer

   Amazon Lab126

   Jan 2020 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   I lead end-to-end battery development for high-impact consumer products including Fire HD tablets, Kindle e-readers, and consumer robotics. My role bridges deep technical execution with program leadership, innovation, and sustainability strategy across Amazon’s hardware ecosystem. Core Responsibilities & Achievements:Led battery design and launch for two Kindle e-readers, two tablets and a robotics product, overseeing development from concept through mass production.Drove cross-functional execution across 5+ teams (hardware, firmware, reliability, compliance, operations) through all phases of the New Product Introduction (NPI) cycle.Innovated on battery chemistries and architectures, including high-energy-density lithium-ion cells, waterproof components, and bypass regulation for deep-discharge designs.Led a high-visibility sustainability initiative, projected to save >$200M and MT CO₂e, by applying circular design practices and life cycle analysis (LCA) of battery components.Authored internal battery design guidelines and co-authored a long-term roadmap for the Devices battery team—now used across Amazon to standardize and scale safe, reliable energy systems.Championed knowledge sharing by organizing internal seminars and delivering tech talks on lithium-ion fundamentals, system integration, safety, and sustainability.My role integrates deep technical execution, program ownership, and sustainability strategy, helping Amazon deliver battery systems that are innovative, reliable, and aligned with long-term climate goals. My work is grounded in Amazon’s Leadership Principles, especially Customer Obsession, Think Big, Deep Dive, and Bias for Action, and I aspire to lead a team focused on battery circular economy and sustainability.

Education

• DPS-Vizag

  High School, High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

  1993 — 2003

• Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi

  Bachelor's Degree, Metallurgical Engineering

  2006 — 2011

• Rice University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Materials Science and Nano Engineering

  2011 — 2015

• Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi

  Master's Degree, Metallurgical Engineering

  2006 — 2011

Skills

• Photolithography
• Materials
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Surface Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Matlab
• C++
• Afm
• C
• Nanotechnology
• Microsoft Office
• Characterization
• Spectroscopy
• Powder X-Ray Diffraction
• Microscopy
• Cvd
• Nanomaterials
• Batteries
• Biomaterials
• Thin Films
• Data Analysis
• Physics
• Metallurgy
• Mechanical Testing
• Chemistry
• Experimentation
• Electrochemistry
• Research