2027 Summer Internship (US) - AI

Zebra; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Summer Fridays

30+ social events in 12 weeks

Global immersion with teams

Intern Allowance

Job summary

Zebra Technologies offers a hybrid internship in Lincolnshire, IL, designed to expose students to Zebra's CTO Solutions Startup team. You will work on building an AI engine, Claude-driven commands, and data pipelines to support venture decisions.

The role includes hands-on training, mentor relationships, and participation in social/professional activities, with a focus on AI, data engineering, and strategic analysis. The program culminates in real-world deliverables and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in undergrad/grad degree program in AI, ML, CS, Data Science, Software Engineering, Business Administration or similar.
• Anticipated graduation date between May 2027-May 2028.
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Onboard new data sources and ingest diverse materials into the ingestion pipeline.
• Build and test source connectors with robust authentication and delta detection.
• Run and refine ingestion workflows and generate synthesis pages.
• Develop Claude-driven commands for automated analysis tasks.
• Optimize prompt engineering and orchestration scripts for production use.
• Create utility scripts in Python and update dashboards and reports.
• Maintain system quality with governance, metadata taxonomy, and health audits.
• Develop planning, organizational and leadership skills within Zebra's portfolio.
• Manage team-based assignments and day-to-day business communications.

Skills

Python programming

LLMs & prompt engineering

REST APIs

Git

Structured data formats

Workflow orchestration

Communication

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate degree in AI/ML/CS/Data Science/Software Eng/Business Admin

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

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

The purpose of this internship is to prepare students for entry into the business world by providing a thorough understanding of the various functions of the Zebra Technologies organization. The program is designed to provide students with experiences that provide insights into a career with Zebra. Students will be positioned for success with training and hands‑on experiences, invited to social and development activities, and provided a professional mentor relationship. The CTO’s Solutions Startup team exists to identify, evaluate, and incubate new business ventures for Zebra — spotting emerging pain points across industry verticals, validating them against real customer evidence, and developing the most promising into new solutions and markets. To do this at scale, the team is building an AI engine powered by Claude — an intelligent knowledge base and analysis pipeline that ingests source material (customer interviews, market and competitive research, internal strategy documents) and turns it into structured, cross‑linked intelligence. On top of that knowledge base, a suite of Claude‑driven commands performs repeatable analyses end‑to‑end: pulling data, summarizing large documents, extracting findings, synthesizing them into analysis write‑ups, and generating charts and briefs that feed real venture decisions.

US Summer Internship Benefits

• - Summer Fridays, As Applicable with Your Team
• - 30+ Social and Professional Events in 12 Weeks
• - Global Immersion with Your Teams and Interns
• - Intern Allowance (when applicable)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Onboard New Data Sources: Integrate and ingest diverse data sources (document libraries, interview transcripts, market/competitive documents, third‑party feeds) into the ingestion pipeline, including mapping structures, access paths, and refresh cadences.
• Build & Test Source Connectors: Develop robust connectors handling modern authentication, change/delta detection, and parsing of attachments and binary files.
• Run & Refine Ingestion Workflows: Automate and orchestrate pipeline runs, generating summary/synthesis pages and utilizing version tracking to reconcile potential drift or contradictions between sources.
• Develop Claude‑Driven Commands: Design and write automated analysis commands that manage advanced knowledge tasks (such as document chunking, extraction of core findings, and structured synthesis).
• Optimize Prompt Engineering: Research, draft, and rigorously test prompt templates and orchestration scripts, moving candidate prompts from draft to robust production environments.
• Build Supporting Automation: Create utility scripts in Python, establish seamless data‑refresh flows, update reporting dashboards (e.g., via PowerPoint or Power Automate), and render dynamic HTML/PDF briefs.
• Maintain System Quality & Governance: Curate metadata taxonomies (industry verticals, solution capabilities), execute routine connector and schema health audits, and document APIs to ensure long‑term system sustainability.
• Develop planning, organizational and leadership skills Increase technology knowledge and skills, especially as it relates to Zebra's product portfolio.
• Manage team‑based work assignments Practice interpersonal skills to connect with day‑to‑day business contacts through follow‑up activities

Minimum Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate/graduate (MS/MA) degree program in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, Business Administration or similar
• Must have an anticipated graduation date between May 2027-May 2028
• Must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future

Preferred Qualifications

• Python Programming & APIs: Strong command of Python and hands‑on experience interacting with REST APIs and standard authentication flows (OAuth, Microsoft Graph, etc.).
• LLMs & Prompt Engineering: High interest and demonstrated project experience working with LLMs (such as Claude, GPT, or similar models) and crafting modular, robust prompts.
• Familiarity with software revision control systems, preferably git.
• Structured Data Formats: Comfort and familiarity with parsing and managing structured data formats (JSON, YAML) and using Markdown‑based documentation tools.
• Knowledge of workflow orchestration frameworks and automated data pipeline scheduling.
• Basic familiarity with business analysis/strategy concepts (e.g., Total Addressable Market [TAM/SAM/SOM], customer value propositions, and customer pain validation).
• Exceptional technical writing, sharp attention to detail, and a strong sense of self‑direction when dealing with ambiguous tasks.
• Communication Skills – Clear and effective verbal and written communication
• Adaptability and Learning Agility – Willingness to learn quickly, embrace new tools or methods, and thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment
• Technical Skills – Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and basic familiarity with technology solutions)
• Integrity – Commitment to ethical behavior and confidentiality

THIS IS A HYBRID INTERNSHIP LOCATED IN LINCOLNSHIRE, IL. THE EXPECTATION IS AT LEAST 3 DAYS OF IN-OFFICE ATTENDANCE.

Salary: USD $36.00- USD $44.50 Hourly

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 [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail] .

Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00 Hourly

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.

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.

Zebra provides the foundation for intelligent operations with an award‑winning portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions. Organizations globally across retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, and other industries rely on us to deliver outcomes today while driving innovation for what’s next. Together with our partners, we create new ways of working that improve productivity and empower organizations to be better every day. Learn more at zebra.com.