Jobs › Zebra Technologies

Research Engineer, Professional II

Zebra Technologies · Lincolnshire, IL · $86,080–$129,120 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 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 an experiment you scoped to test whether an idea was even feasible. How did you decide what the smallest useful test was?

What they are checking: Whether they can design cheap, fast experiments that answer the real question before a lot of money gets spent.

How do you write up results so that a manager can decide on next steps without reading all your raw data?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn lab work into a clear recommendation with a rationale leaders can act on.

Tell me about an idea you worked on that did not pan out. How did you know when to stop?

What they are checking: Whether they can let go of a dead end based on evidence instead of sunk cost or pride.

Tell me about working with a team from another discipline, like software or manufacturing, to get a prototype built.

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate across fields to get ideas out of the lab and closer to a product.

What would you do

An experiment comes back with results that do not match your hypothesis. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they treat surprise results as information and check their setup before throwing out the idea or the data.

How would you connect a new technology you are testing to a real customer problem in markets like retail, warehousing or healthcare?

What they are checking: Whether they think about where an invention creates business value, not only whether it technically works.

If you had two promising ideas and budget to test only one this quarter, how would you choose?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh feasibility, cost and strategic fit when picking what to explore.

About the work

Walk me through how you set up a material trial. What did you control for, and what did you measure?

What they are checking: Whether they run disciplined experiments with controls and clear measurements, not just try things and see.

This role is on-site in Lincolnshire and very hands-on. Tell me about the lab equipment and prototyping tools you are most comfortable with.

What they are checking: Whether they can actually build and run things themselves rather than only design them on paper.

Describe how you keep a lab notebook or records so someone else could repeat your work.

What they are checking: Whether their work is reproducible and protectable, which matters for both science and patents.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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: Drive Invention and Innovation. Deliver and shape differentiated offerings for company’s Priority markets. Develop new technologies and platforms and translate into new strategic growth opportunities. Highlight promising ways to reposition the business through disruptive breakthroughs. This role requires the incumbent to be working on-site at our corporate office located at Lincolnshire, IL. • Contribute to scoping experiments to demonstrate idea feasibility and provide rationale for next steps • Design, prepare, and execute hands-on experiments, material trials, and wet chemistry formulations within the R&D laboratory environment to drive innovation, demonstrate feasibility and accelerate product development pipelines • Evaluate and characterize the physical, chemical, electronic, and function properties of materials by designing and conducting analysis and testing in lab environments • Set up and configure analytical test equipment. Recommend any additional equipment or capability required for job execution. • Operate, calibrate, and maintain advanced analytical laboratory instrumentation • Analyze and interpret complex data, document and record results. • Effectively communicate and present findings and actionable insights to stakeholders as needed • Contribute to appropriate experimentation and formulations development, trials, testing and characterization requirements, analyses, and other tasks to support project needs. Provide rationale for next steps • Contribute appropriate R&D experimental design, trials, testing, recommendations to support other BU stakeholders and contribute to overall business improvements and growth • Contribute to experimental and theorical work necessary to support invention disclosure submissions and patent filings • Maintain an organized and tidy workspace to promote efficiency and a safe environment. Recommend any additional equipment or capability required for job execution. Embrace a diverse and inclusive culture Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Material Science/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry with 5+ years of experience or Master’s Degree in Material Science/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry with no experience. • Experience in Operating, calibrating, and maintaining advanced analytical laboratory instrumentation. • Hands-On Lab R&D: Design, prepare, and physically execute bench-scale experiments, material trials, and chemical formulations to prove feasibility and accelerate product development. • Experience in designing, preparing, and executing hands-on experiments, material trials, and wet chemistry formulations within the R&D laboratory environment to drive innovation and new product development. 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: $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 .

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