Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer - Customer Facing
About The Position
At Zebra, the Senior Forward Deployed Software Engineer works directly with enterprise customers to lead complex deployments of software and architect customized, enterprise-grade cloud and Android solutions. The role applies frontline customer experience to influence internal engineering teams and guide the architecture and development of solutions that address complex customer needs. The position analyzes, designs, develops, maintains, integrates, validates, and tests software for Zebra products and systems. It leads hands-on deployments and technical development during customer pilots, reviews customer workflows and end-to-end architectures, and troubleshoots software and device-level issues in the field. The engineer writes code across Android applications and backend cloud integrations, supports secure connectivity and API integrations, and helps ensure stable data exchange with third-party enterprise databases. The role also uses Zebra-approved AI coding tools to support troubleshooting, development efficiency, and application performance. This is a hybrid position requiring at least three days per week in either the Holtsville, New York office (preferred) or the Lincolnshire, Illinois office, with two remote days. Travel may be required up to 25%.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- At least 5 years of relevant software engineering experience, or at least 3 years of experience with an advanced degree.
- Professional software engineering experience specializing in full-stack cloud solutions.
- Demonstrated initiative diagnosing bugs and writing real-time code to resolve complex challenges.
- Strong customer-facing experience understanding and resolving customers' technical challenges.
- Proficiency in multiple programming languages and software development frameworks.
- Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, system-level programming, and adoption of generative AI in the software development lifecycle.
- Experience with software testing strategies, debugging tools, and performance optimization.
- Ability to assess and integrate new technologies into existing software solutions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
- Proficiency with version control systems such as Git or GitHub, and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to mentor and influence junior team members.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers or stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
- Backend technologies include Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, and Node.js; Node.js frameworks may include Express or NestJS.
- Frontend technologies include JavaScript, TypeScript, and ReactJS.
- Cloud and platform skills include GCP, AWS, or Azure; Docker; Kubernetes; CI/CD; and microservices.
- Database experience may include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Firebase, or BigQuery.
- Experience with AI-assisted coding tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Claude Code, or equivalent tools.
- The role requires at least three days per week in the Holtsville, NY or Lincolnshire, IL office, with two remote days.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts and use cases to engineering teams and non-technical customer stakeholders.
- Enthusiasm for using AI-assisted development tools to improve coding speed and output quality.
- Android development experience, including Android SDK and Kotlin or Java.
- Experience with multi-cloud environments, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and microservices architecture.
- Experience with relational databases, NoSQL databases, or data warehousing.
Responsibilities
- Establish requirements and prioritize features for moderately complex software design projects.
- Lead and participate in code reviews, identifying and addressing issues early in development.
- Complete software design and development project phases, including in-process and final inspections to meet quality standards.
- Develop and test project documentation, including design specifications, code comments, and user manuals.
- Explore and apply new technologies and approaches to improve software designs and implementations.
- Review existing software or firmware designs and identify opportunities for optimization.
- Recommend solutions to technical problems across multiple technical domains.
- Develop tools or scripts as needed to streamline analysis, debugging, or problem solving.
- Work with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques.
- Mentor and guide junior team members, including exempt and non-exempt personnel.
- Build professional relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders and participate in customer-focused discussions.
- Lead hands-on deployment, technical development, and validation of Zebra Android and cloud solutions during customer pilots.
- Conduct technical workshops, customize solutions, and guide device and software rollouts into live customer operations.
- Review customer workflows, use cases, and deployment environments; analyze end-to-end architectures to identify integration bottlenecks.
- Develop, diagnose, debug, and troubleshoot software and device-level issues in the field.
- Review, design, and write code spanning Android applications and backend cloud integrations.
- Integrate Android applications and cloud solutions, including secure connectivity, APIs, and data exchange with Zebra devices, cloud backends, and third-party enterprise databases.
- Use Zebra-approved AI coding tools to accelerate troubleshooting, write code, and optimize application performance.
- Travel as required, up to 25%.
Benefits
- Performance-based annual cash incentive with a target equal to 10% of base pay, subject to the applicable incentive plan.
- Healthcare and wellness offerings.
- Continued learning and development offerings.
- Community service days.
- Traditional insurance offerings.
- Parental leave.
- Employee assistance program.
- Paid time off offerings, depending on country.
- Hybrid work flexibility.
- Adaptable hours.
- Summer Flex Fridays.
- Focus Fridays.
- Annual companywide well-being day.
- Some roles may be eligible for long-term incentive equity awards.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
