The League of Galaxy: Akhilesh on living his dream at SRI-B

Growing up in a small town, dreams often feel just out of reach. But for young Akhilesh, an ardent cricket lover, it was the iconic 1996 India-Pakistan World Cup match in Bangalore that first lit a spark. As he sat glued to the screen, he thought to himself, “One day, I want to go to Bangalore.” While some childhood dreams fade with time, Akhilesh’s only grew stronger. In high school, he learned that Bangalore was not just home to National Cricket Academy but also the powerhouse of India’s software revolution. Inspired by the idea of building something impactful, he chose engineering in a heartbeat and never looked back.

His relentless dedication and pursuit of his dream led him to work on the very first Galaxy phone when he joined Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore (SRI-B) as a Senior Software Engineer. “Touch phones were a luxury then,” he recalls, “and being an Android developer, I could sense the future in it.” That early exposure to the future of smartphones fuelled his passion and today, he is an Architect at SRI-B.

Soft Landing | Strong Growth

From day one at SRI-B, he felt at home. His team didn’t just onboard him, they mentored him, walked with him, and made sure he was never alone. “They took me out for lunch, explained my role clearly, and made sure I had a soft landing.” What followed was a decade-long journey of innovation, mentorship, and continuous learning. He worked on some of advanced technologies like Samsung Camera, AR Emoji, Android Framework, and now XR. “ I’m currently working on XR Camera frameworks, and every day feels like my early days with Android - super exciting, challenging, and full of learning".

Team photo at SRI-B

It wasn’t just the technology that stood out for Akhilesh at SRI-B, he also experienced the power of culture here. When he fractured his leg in 2023, the SRI-B team stood by him with compassion and care. “For three months, I got the flexibility I needed, with total support from my team and the organization. To me, that’s what people-first truly looks like.”

Akhilesh also credits his mentors for his steady growth. The coaching he received played a key role in scaling up his capabilities. Today, he leads a team and has worked across diverse technologies—including Camera applications, AR experiences, and now, XR frameworks. Over the years, his contributions were celebrated with multiple Citizen Awards, Star of the Quarter Awards, and more, but what mattered most was the pride in his family’s eyes. “When Galaxy S9 launched with AR Emoji, I watched the Unpacked event with my wife. ‘That’s what my team and I built’, I told her. Her joy and pride made it all worth it.”

Akhilesh with his wife

Going Global and Staying Rooted

He also deeply appreciates the opportunities and possibilities he received from Samsung through global exposure. “Through programs like STEP, I could collaborate closely with teams in Korea, learn the basics of the Korean language, and explore the culture with the support of colleagues who treated me like one of their own.”

Picture with his team during the STEP program

A fond memory from the trip to Korea

For Akhilesh, SRI-B always stood by him through ups and downs. During his journey, he has had immense learnings at the organization but one thing he wants to highlight is how important it is to keep learning and consciously focus on what really matters to you.

From a cricket dreamer in a small town with big dreams to a key contributor to innovations used by millions, his journey is one of quiet determination and a workplace that recognized and nurtured it every step of the way. As his journey continues, Akhilesh feels this is just the start of what SRI-B has in store for him.