Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDE)

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 technical Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDE) to work directly with our customers. In this role, you will lead the deployment of Zebra software, engineer customized solutions, and resolve complex technical challenges to drive product success. Additionally, you will leverage your frontline customer experience to collaborate closely with our internal Engineering teams, guiding the development of core solutions that directly address customer pain points.

Location- ***Role is required to be onsite in Holtsville, NY office (Hybrid- Minimum of 3 days in the office per week).

• Designs, develops, and tests software components as part of a larger project, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines

• Creates and maintains documentation detailing specific software functionality and design specifications

• Participates in code reviews and provides constructive feedback

• Contributes to the development and testing of software solutions for various products. Analyzes results and conducts root cause analysis to diagnose and resolve issues

• Recommends and implements solutions to complex technical challenges, ensuring compliance with quality processes and standards

• Modifies and enhances existing software by improving functionality, scalability, and performance to meet evolving business needs

• Proactively seeks out opportunities to enhance performance and productivity by recommending new tools or methodologies

• Demonstrates sound judgment to determine appropriate actions for software development and testing tasks

• Assist less experienced staff with existing practices and processes

• Builds productive working relationships within the team, across organizational units, and with external customers

• Occasionally interacts with inter-organizational and external stakeholders to address project related needs or resolve issues

Forward Deployment Responsibilities:

• Pilot Deployment & Training : Lead the execution of pilot programs at customer locations. Facilitate comprehensive knowledge transfer and team training to ensure software adoption and a successful transition to live operations..

• Understand Customer use cases and Workflows : Gain a deep understanding of how Zebra solutions are implemented in practical environments. While immediate expertise in every scenario is not required, a proactive commitment to learning client operations and resolving their unique pain points is essential..

• Design & Architecture : Utilize your field experience to influence system architecture, design, and code quality. Actively contribute to code reviews to ensure our software is robust, production-grade, and fully optimized for real-world deployment.

• Onsite Support & Coding : Provide direct, on-premise technical support, which includes travel to client facilities. You are expected to be highly hands-on during pilot phases-actively debugging, refactoring code, and rapidly redeploying solutions as issues arise. Furthermore, you will act as a comprehensive technical consultant, reviewing the client's broader software architecture and codebase to resolve complex systemic issues, even those originating outside the Zebra ecosystem.

• Full-Stack & API Development : Architect and implement scalable cloud-based backend infrastructures, intuitive user interfaces, and robust APIs. These components will facilitate seamless data exchange and connectivity between our core software solutions, client databases, and various third-party ecosystems..

• Use AI Tools for efficiency: Use AI coding assistants (like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Claude) to write code faster, analyze problems, and build better solutions.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required in computer science, Software Engineer, or related technical discipline.

• 2+ years of engineering experience

• Professional software engineering experience specializing in full-stack cloud solutions. Must possess Android development skills or demonstrate the ability to learn rapidly.

• Problem Solving: A proactive, self-starter capable of diagnosing bugs and writing real-time code to resolve complex challenges.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree preferred

• Must possess Android development skills or demonstrate the ability to learn rapidly.

• Communication: Proven ability to articulate technical concepts and use cases clearly to both engineering teams and non-technical customer stakeholders.

• AI Adaptation: A forward-thinking mindset with an enthusiasm for leveraging AI-assisted development tools to optimize coding speed and output quality.

Technology Skills

• Backend: Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, Node.js

• Frontend: JavaScript (ReactJS)

• Cloud & Tools: Google Cloud (GCP), Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Microservices

• Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Firebase

• AI Tools: GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Claude Code

• Preferred: Android Development (Android SDK, Kotlin/Java)

Travel

• Willingness to travel to client locations to facilitate software deployment and provide on-site technical resolution (Approximate travel 25%)

*** Role is required to be onsite in Holtsville, NY office (Hybrid- Minimum of 3 days in the office per week).

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

Know Your Rights:

Conozca sus Derechos:

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 View email address on click.appcast.io .

Pay Range:

$86,080.00 - $129,120.00 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 10% 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 ( .