Overview:
At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges.
Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve.
You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally.
Come make an impact every day at Zebra.
What We're Looking For:
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Advanced Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDE) with 8+ years of software engineering expertise in full stack and Android to work directly with our key enterprise customers.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly technical Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDE) to work directly with our customers.
In this advanced role, you will spearhead complex deployments of Zebra software, architect customized enterprise-grade solutions, and resolve high-stakes technical challenges to drive product success. As an advanced technical leader, you will leverage your deep frontline customer experience to heavily influence our internal engineering teams, driving the architectural vision and development of core solutions that proactively address complex customer pain points.
This role requires a minimum of 3-days per week in either our Holtsville, NY or Lincolnshire, IL office, 2 days remote (US)
Responsibilities
Establishes requirements for highly complex software design projects and provides leadership in defining project scope and objectives
Architects and designs software for highly complex systems, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and technical standards
Leads and participates in all phases of software development projects, including in process and final inspections to maintain quality
Conducts and oversees code reviews, implementing technical and quality improvements to ensure robust solutions
Develops innovative programs, technologies, and solutions, documenting methodologies for broader team use
Provides technical leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, leveraging expertise to influence program direction and outcomes
Designs and develops advanced tools to aid in solving complex technical challenges and improving team efficiency
Fosters cross-company collaboration and builds strong relationships with other engineering disciplines to drive innovation and project success
Exercises considerable judgment within broadly defined policies and practices to deliver effective solutions
Networks with key internal and external stakeholders, including senior management and customers, to coordinate efforts and achieve project goals
Represents the organization as a technical expert and principal customer contact on critical projects
Forward Deployment Responsibilities:
Enterprise Pilot Strategy & Deployment: Spearhead the strategy and execution of large-scale pilot programs at key customer locations. Facilitate comprehensive knowledge transfer, lead technical workshops, and ensure seamless software adoption and transition to live, mission-critical operations.
Customer Workflow Optimization & Consulting: Serve as a strategic technical advisor by gaining an expert understanding of how Zebra solutions fit into complex, real-world enterprise environments. Anticipate workflow bottlenecks and proactively engineer customized solutions to resolve unique, highly specific client pain points.
Advanced Design & System Architecture: Utilize your extensive field experience to dictate system architecture, design patterns, and code quality standards. Lead complex code reviews and establish best practices to ensure our software is highly resilient, production-grade, and fully optimized for massive-scale deployment.
Elite Onsite Engineering & Support: Provide top-tier, on-premise technical leadership, which includes travel to client facilities. You are expected to be highly hands-on during critical phases—actively debugging complex systems, refactoring legacy code, and rapidly redeploying scalable solutions. Furthermore, you will act as a principal technical consultant, reviewing and potentially re-architecting the client’s broader software ecosystem to resolve systemic issues, even those originating outside the Zebra ecosystem.
Enterprise Full-Stack & API Architecture: Architect, build, and scale highly resilient cloud-based backend infrastructures, intuitive user interfaces, and robust APIs. Ensure these components facilitate high-throughput, secure data exchange and seamless connectivity between our core solutions, enterprise client databases, and complex third-party ecosystems.
AI-Driven Development Leadership: Champion the adoption of AI coding assistants (like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Claude Code) across the team to accelerate development lifecycles, conduct advanced problem analysis, and architect superior, bug-free solutions.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
Minimum 8+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's Degree, OR 5+ years of relevant experience with an Advanced Degree
Minimum 6+ years of professional software engineering hands-on experience in full-stack cloud solutions. Must possess Android development skills or demonstrate the ability to learn rapidly.
Backend: Java, Spring Boot, Node.js (Express/NestJS)
Frontend: JavaScript, TypeScript, ReactJS
Cloud & Tools: Multi-Cloud (GCP, AWS, or Azure), Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, Microservices architecture
Databases: Relational (MySQL/PostgreSQL), NoSQL (MongoDB), Data Warehousing (BigQuery)
AI Assisted Development: GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, or equivalent AI coding assistants
Preferred Qualifications:
Executive Communication: Proven ability to translate highly complex technical architectures and use cases clearly to both global engineering teams and C-suite/non-technical customer stakeholders.
Expert Problem Solving: A proactive, strategic thinker capable of diagnosing obscure systemic bugs and writing real-time, production-ready code to resolve critical, time-sensitive challenges in high-pressure environments.
AI Adaptation & Strategy: A forward-thinking mindset with strong enthusiasm for leveraging and integrating AI-assisted development tools to optimize the entire software development lifecycle, coding speed, and output quality.
Advanced Android Development (Android SDK, Kotlin/Java)
Travel
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Zebra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at [email protected].
Know Your Rights:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf
Conozca sus Derechos:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRightsSp_10_20.pdf
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at [email protected] .
Pay Range:
$122,800.00 - $184,200.00 Annual
Incentive Compensation:
In addition to base pay, Zebra offers this role the opportunity to earn a performance-based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 12% of base pay, in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive plan.
Zebra Total Rewards:
Zebra Total Rewards includes more than just pay and is structured to meet the needs of our changing global business and evolving talent. We are committed to providing our employees with a benefits program that is comprehensive and competitive – including healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, and continued learning and development offerings. We offer community service days, in addition to the traditional insurances, compensation, parental leave, employee assistance program and paid time off offerings depending on the country where you work.
Salary offered will vary depending on your location, job-related skills, knowledge, and experience.
Additionally, all Zebra roles are eligible for cash incentive programs. For example, sales roles have additional opportunity to earn substantial variable compensation tied to quota achievement. In most other roles, the Zebra annual cash incentive program links Company and individual performance together. Some roles may also be eligible for long-term incentive equity awards.
Benefits:
We understand the importance of work-life balance and wellbeing, which is why we offer flexibility for our teams including: hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays, and an annual companywide well-being day to promote revitalization and success.
Job Posting Statement:
To protect candidates from falling victim to online fraudulent activity involving fake job postings and employment offers, please be aware our recruiters will always connect with you via @zebra.com email accounts. Applications are only accepted through our applicant tracking system and only accept personal identifying information through that system. Our Talent Acquisition team will not ask for you to provide personal identifying information via e-mail or outside of the system. If you are a victim of identity theft contact your local police department.
AI Technology Statement:
Zebra Technologies leverages AI technology to evaluate job applications using objective, job-relevant criteria. This approach enhances efficiency and promotes fairness in the hiring process. However, every decision regarding interviews and hiring is made by our dedicated team, because we believe people make the best decisions about people. For more on how we use technology in hiring and how we process applicant data, see our Zebra Privacy Policy.
