At Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore (SRI-B), technology is often the starting point of any conversation. Engineers at this R&D center enjoy an unbound freedom to experiment with new ideas, look beyond failures and focus on what they love most – innovation built on cutting-edge technology. Each individual has a unique story of how their passion found a playground in SRI-B.

For Charu, that story has been one of curiosity, growth, and finding her own voice as both a technologist and a leader.

Today, Charu is a Staff Technical Manager at SRI-B, where she leads the OAM Software Management and Performance Management team, guiding a group of engineers working on complex telecom systems. But her journey here has been much more than just technical milestones, it has been about discovering leadership, embracing continuous learning, and building a life where work, family, and personal passions coexist.

A Journey Fueled by Curiosity

Charu joined SRI-B nearly four years ago, drawn by her long-standing fascination with the telecom world.

“I have always been curious about the telecom ecosystem, and the opportunities at SRI-B aligned perfectly with that curiosity,” she recalls. “I enjoy learning new things, solving challenges, and contributing to projects that make a real impact.”

Like many engineers stepping into a new environment, the early days came with a steep learning curve. It was both exciting and challenging as she navigated a new work culture, processes, and collaborative ways of building technology. Over time, those early moments of discovery transformed into confidence and ownership, as she began contributing to projects she takes immense pride in today. Charu’s technical journey at SRI-B spans multiple generations of telecom technology, 2G, 4G, and 5G across multiple OAM blocks, where she has contributed to several critical initiatives shaping the evolution of telecom networks.

One of the key projects she worked on was the O-RAN 15 upgrade, a project that required close collaboration across teams to ensure the system evolved with new architectural requirements while maintaining stability and performance. She was also involved in the VOS 2G GSM project from the Redis database side, where her work focused on understanding system behavior and ensuring the database layer efficiently supported application requirements. The initiative helped improve data handling, system responsiveness, and overall solution reliability.

Charu’s journey recently reached an important milestone when she completed SRI-B’s Women Leadership Development Program (WLDP), a learning initiative designed to nurture future women leaders within the organization. In her initial role, she served as an Acting Reporting Manager, guiding and supporting a team of five engineers. Soon after graduating from the program, she stepped into the role of Reporting Manager, leading a team of 12 engineers. For Charu, WLDP was a transformative experience that brought a shift in perspective. The program gave her practical tools and frameworks, but more importantly, it emphasized empathy, communication, and bringing out the best in a team – lessons that she now applies every day, while guiding her team through challenges, fostering collaboration, and supporting individual growth.

One session in particular left a lasting impact, encouraging her to confront something many women leaders quietly experience: being their own toughest critics.

“The discussions around self-awareness and leadership styles helped me reflect on my own strengths and blind spots. It made me realize that leadership is as much about listening and supporting others as it is about making decisions. It helped me let go of that pressure to always be perfect, learn to prioritize, and even say no when necessary.”

This realization changed how she approached both leadership and personal balance, understanding that leadership is a balance between vision and care. “It’s not just about driving results, but about enabling people to thrive.”

Her drive and efforts also invited global recognition, with her team recently being honored with the “Suwon Applause for Best Team” - a moment she describes as deeply rewarding.

Balancing Leadership, Personal Life & Passions beyond Work

Beyond the technical milestones and leadership roles, Charu is also navigating another equally meaningful role, being a mother.

Balancing work and motherhood, she says, is not always easy.

“There are moments when it feels challenging. But what helps is having a strong support system.”

Her family, her husband, and parents played a crucial role at home. At work, she credits her managers and team for creating an environment of trust and understanding.

“Sometimes it’s the small gestures that make the biggest difference, I remember moments when my manager would simply say, ‘Take care first, don’t worry. I’ll handle it.’ Those words matter more than people realize.”

For Charu, balance isn’t about perfection. It is never static; it’s a constant recalibration. It’s about embracing growth while staying connected to what matters most.

Charu also believes that a fulfilling professional life includes moments beyond the desk. Participating in cultural activities and employee-led initiatives at SRI-B has allowed her to connect with colleagues in new ways and bring a sense of energy to the workplace.

Participating in cultural events allows her to recharge and bring a lighter side of herself to work. Employee clubs and cultural activities, she believes, play a powerful role in building stronger teams. These experiences, she says, foster creativity, strengthens relationships, and reminds teams that collaboration can extend beyond projects. They help transform a workplace into something more meaningful, a community where people grow together.

Ask Charu what truly defines Life at SRI-B, and her answer goes beyond technology, programs, or career growth.

“What makes SRI-B special is the sense of community,” she says. “Supportive colleagues, collaborative teams, opportunities to innovate, and spaces to connect beyond work, all of these come together to create something meaningful.”

She describes SRI-B as a place where curiosity is encouraged, challenges are embraced, and contributions are valued, whether in innovation, leadership, or life beyond work.

And perhaps that is the most powerful part of her story. Because at SRI-B, building technology for the future also means empowering people to build their own.