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Firmware/Software Engineer Senior

Zebra Technologies · Lincolnshire, IL · $96,800–$145,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about embedded firmware you designed and shipped. What hardware did it run on and what were the constraints?

What they are checking: Whether they have shipped real embedded products and understand memory, timing and power limits.

Tell me about working with hardware engineers to debug a board-level problem.

What they are checking: Whether they can use scopes and logic analyzers and collaborate across the hardware and software line.

As a senior engineer, how do you review a junior engineer's firmware code?

What they are checking: Whether they catch embedded-specific risks and teach rather than just rewriting the code.

What would you do

A bug only shows up on some units in the field and you cannot reproduce it in the lab. How do you track it down?

What they are checking: Whether they have a disciplined approach to intermittent hardware and timing bugs.

Product management wants a new feature, but flash space is almost gone. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain tradeoffs and find options instead of just saying yes or no.

About the work

This role works on thermal printer firmware. What parts of a printer do you think are hardest to get right in firmware?

What they are checking: Whether they can reason about motor control, print head timing, sensors and real-time behavior.

How do you decide whether to use an RTOS or a bare-metal loop for a new design?

What they are checking: Whether they choose architecture based on timing needs and complexity rather than habit.

Walk me through how you test firmware, both on the bench and in automation.

What they are checking: Whether they build test strategies and fixtures, which the posting names as part of the job.

How do you handle interrupts and shared data safely in C?

What they are checking: Whether they understand race conditions, volatile and critical sections at a practical level.

How would you design a firmware update process that cannot leave a printer bricked in the field?

What they are checking: Whether they think about bootloaders, rollback and power-loss safety.

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The full job description

As published by Zebra Technologies.

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: Analyzes, develops, designs, programs, debugs and implements embedded systems for the organization’s products and systems. Develops testing and troubleshooting strategies, devices, and systems for firmware. Integrates firmware to maintain functionality, throughput and consistency. Develops user documentation. This is a hybrid position working on-site at our corporate office located in Lincolnshire, IL for a minimum of 3 days a week. • Establishes, implements, and maintains embedded firmware for the organization's Thermal printer products and solutions. • Research, design and develop new technology for platform in support of organization ‘s strategy vision. • Grow competency on wide range of Product framework, HALs, Linux Kernel drivers from Peripheral and Network communication, and real time controls, and be the go-to-person for questions. • Leads requirements meetings for moderately complex firmware design projects. • Completes all phases of moderately complex firmware design projects. • Reviews firmware test results and root cause analysis. Resolves highly complex technical issues. • Reviews changes or upgrades to existing firmware designs. Develops new solutions to unique problems. • Identifies issues, and makes recommendations for complex problems. • Makes modifications to or upgrades existing firmware designs via patches and generating new code. • Enhances and improves existing technologies to apply to new solutions. • Develops positive relationships with other company functions involved in the design, test, and implementation processes. • Makes recommendations to immediate team to enhance performance and improve product quality. • Exercises judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. • Advance internal processes to improve efficiency and performance on executions. Basic Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related fields) with 6+ years of relevant experience or Masters degree in Engineering (Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related fields) with 4+ years relevant experience or equivalent experience. • Significant experience delivering platform product embedded firmware development. • Proven experienced in programming languages C/C++ • Experience in the following: ARM architecture, embedded microcontroller architecture, multi-core systems, RTOS, embedded Linux, filesystems, storage memory, networking, platform libraries, etc. • Skills in platform architecture, Object Oriented Programming, software design patterns, devices driver development. Preferred Qualifications: • Development experience in I2C, SPI, UART, USB, CAN, Modbus, WLAN, PWM, ADC, Bluetooth, Ethernet, others Microcontroller peripheral. • Good knowledge in the use of Oscilloscope, Bus analyzer, emulator and other firmware debugging tools. • Familiar with electrical interface, schematic diagram, electronic component specification and datasheet. • Good understanding in embedded RTOS and POSIX implementation including scheduling policy, synchronization methods, Interrupt Service Routine, external library integration, FileSystems, Memory allocation. • Preferred experience with Stepper motor, network, MQTT, and security. • Participate in Agile (SCRUM/KanBan) development process • Experience of prototype board bring up, bootloader development, ARMCC toolchain is a plus. 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 workplace.accommodations@zebra.com. 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 workplace.accommodations@zebra.com . Pay Range: $96,800.00 - $145,200.00 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 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 .

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