Google Hires Amazon’s Former Kindle Hardware Chief

David Foster, who helped develop the Amazon Kindle and Kindle Fire tablet, joined Google on Monday as vice president of product engineering in its hardware group, Google said. A person familiar with the hiring said Mr. Foster would lead hardware development for Google’s new branded line of smartphones.

The position hadn't previously been filled, the company said. Mr. Foster’s hiring reflects Google’s push into new hardware items, which will be highlighted on Tuesday when Google unveils several new hardware products. These are expected to include new phones that were designed solely by Google.  

Mr. Foster reports to Rick Osterloh, a former Motorola executive who is in charge of Google’s hardware projects.

Mr. Foster is a five year veteran of Amazon. His most recent job was leading device development teams at Amazon’s Lab126, including the Echo and Dash products, his LinkedIn profile says. Amazon declined to comment.

Earlier he spent five and half years at Microsoft as general manager of hardware.