How to Apply to Motorola Solutions

Key Takeaways

Research Motorola Solutions' specific product portfolio (PremierOne, VESTA, CommandCentral, Avigilon, WAVE PTX, APX radios) before applying and reference the relevant product line in your application materials to demonstrate domain awareness
Format your resume as a clean, single-column .docx or .pdf document with standard section headers to ensure Workday's parser accurately populates your candidate profile — then log in and verify the parsed output before submitting
Frame your professional achievements around system reliability, uptime, and high-stakes accountability rather than speed or disruption — Motorola Solutions' culture prioritizes getting it right because lives depend on their technology
Prepare for interview questions about your connection to the company's public safety mission — interviewers consistently assess whether candidates understand and care about the real-world impact of the technology they'll be building or supporting
Set up Workday job alerts immediately, as Motorola Solutions typically posts a small number of highly specialized roles — early applications receive more attention than those submitted days after posting
Highlight any security clearance, government contract experience, or compliance framework knowledge (CJIS, FedRAMP, ITAR, SOC 2) prominently on your resume, as these are differentiators for many Motorola Solutions positions
If you lack direct public safety industry experience, draw explicit parallels between your background and mission-critical requirements — healthcare system uptime, financial services reliability, or military communications are all relevant analogies

About Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions is not the smartphone company many people confuse it with — it is the global leader in mission-critical communications, command center software, and video security solutions that keep first responders, public safety agencies, and enterprises connected when it matters most. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with approximately 22,000 employees worldwide, the company builds the infrastructure behind 911 call centers, police radio networks, fire department dispatch systems, and enterprise security platforms. Their product portfolio includes iconic two-way radio systems (like the APX and MOTOTRBO lines), PremierOne Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, CommandCentral suite, WAVE PTX broadband push-to-talk, and Avigilon video security and access control solutions. The company's market position is dominant: Motorola Solutions holds the largest share of the global land mobile radio (LMR) market, and their technology supports over 100,000 public safety and commercial customers in more than 100 countries. Working at Motorola Solutions means contributing to technology that directly saves lives. Employees commonly describe a culture driven by purpose, where the gravity of the company's mission — connecting people in emergencies — creates a shared sense of responsibility. The culture blends engineering rigor with public-sector reliability expectations, meaning quality and accountability are deeply embedded values. Motorola Solutions has earned recognition on Forbes' Best Employers lists and invests significantly in employee development, diversity initiatives, and hybrid/remote work options. For technologists, engineers, and public-safety-minded professionals, it represents a rare opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology — AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure — that has immediate, tangible impact on communities.

Application Process

1
Explore Roles on the Motorola Solutions Workday Careers Portal
Navigate to the company's dedicated Workday careers site at ms.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com. Use the filtering tools to search by job family (e.g., Engineering, Customer Support, Presales), location (including remote designations), and experience level. With a relatively focused number of active openings at any given time, check back frequently as positions in specialized areas like PremierOne CAD or VESTA 911 systems appear and fill quickly.
2
Create or Sign Into Your Workday Candidate Account
Motorola Solutions uses Workday (wd5 instance) as their applicant tracking system, which requires you to create a candidate profile before applying. You can expedite this by importing your LinkedIn profile or uploading a resume, which Workday will attempt to auto-parse into structured fields. Review every parsed field carefully — Workday's parser sometimes misassigns job titles, dates, or technical certifications, and these errors can affect how recruiters view your application.
3
Tailor Your Application Materials to the Mission-Critical Domain
Customize your resume and any optional cover letter to reflect Motorola Solutions' specific domain language — terms like 'mission-critical communications,' 'public safety technology,' 'LMR systems,' 'P25 protocol,' or 'command center operations' signal domain awareness. If applying for roles like PremierOne CAD Application Specialist or VESTA Customer Support Manager, demonstrate familiarity with 911/PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) environments. Even for general roles like Infrastructure System Manager, connect your experience to high-availability, high-reliability systems.
4
Complete Screening Questionnaires and Supplemental Fields
Workday applications at Motorola Solutions typically include role-specific screening questions about your eligibility, security clearance status, relocation availability, and technical qualifications. Given that many Motorola Solutions roles involve government contracts and public safety infrastructure, expect questions about your ability to pass background checks or obtain security clearances. Answer these honestly and thoroughly — incomplete responses can automatically disqualify your application.
5
Initial Recruiter Review and Phone Screen
A Motorola Solutions talent acquisition specialist will review applications that pass initial screening criteria. If selected, you'll typically receive an email through Workday to schedule a 20-to-30-minute phone screen covering your background, interest in mission-critical technology, salary expectations, and logistical requirements like remote work arrangements or travel capacity. Recruiters commonly assess whether you understand Motorola Solutions' distinction from consumer Motorola brands — demonstrating this awareness immediately sets you apart.
6
Technical or Functional Interview Rounds
Depending on the role, expect one to three additional interview rounds. Engineering and cybersecurity positions typically include technical assessments, coding challenges, or system design discussions focused on reliability and scalability. Customer-facing roles like Presales Configuration Manager or Systems Manager often include scenario-based interviews simulating interactions with public safety agency stakeholders. Many applicants report panel-style interviews with cross-functional team members, reflecting Motorola Solutions' collaborative culture.
7
Background Verification, Offer, and Onboarding
Motorola Solutions conducts thorough background checks, which may be more extensive than typical tech companies due to the company's government contracts and public safety partnerships. Once cleared, you'll receive a formal offer through Workday. Onboarding commonly includes orientation covering the company's mission, product ecosystem, and compliance requirements — new hires report that understanding the breadth of Motorola Solutions' portfolio (from radios to AI-powered video analytics) is emphasized from day one.

Resume Tips for Motorola Solutions

critical

Lead With Mission-Critical and Public Safety Terminology

Motorola Solutions operates in a specialized domain where generic tech buzzwords fall flat. Replace vague terms like 'managed systems' with specific language like 'administered high-availability communication infrastructure' or 'supported 24/7 mission-critical systems.' If you have experience with emergency services, PSAP environments, CAD/RMS platforms, P25 radio systems, or government technology contracts, place these prominently in your summary and experience sections. Recruiters scanning in Workday search for these domain-specific terms.

critical

Optimize for Workday's Resume Parser With Clean Formatting

Workday's wd5 parser performs best with single-column, chronologically ordered resumes in .docx or .pdf format. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and multi-column layouts — these cause Workday to scramble your content or skip entire sections. Use standard section headings ('Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills') that Workday's parser recognizes. After uploading, always review the parsed output in your Workday candidate profile and manually correct any errors before submitting.

critical

Quantify Your Impact on System Reliability and Uptime

Motorola Solutions builds products where failure is not an option — 911 systems, police radio networks, and emergency dispatch platforms cannot go down. Frame your achievements in terms of reliability metrics: '99.99% uptime,' 'reduced system outage response time by 40%,' 'managed infrastructure serving 500+ concurrent users.' For customer support roles like VESTA Customer Support Manager, quantify ticket resolution times, customer satisfaction scores, and the scale of deployments you've supported. Numbers that demonstrate you understand the stakes of reliability resonate deeply here.

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Highlight Security Clearances and Compliance Experience

Many Motorola Solutions roles intersect with government agencies, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure — sectors where security clearances, CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) compliance, FedRAMP, and ITAR familiarity are valuable. If you hold or have held a security clearance, list it prominently. If you've worked in compliance-regulated environments (HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, CJIS), specify these frameworks by name. Even for internship roles like the Cybersecurity Internship, demonstrating awareness of these frameworks distinguishes your application.

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Map Your Skills to Motorola Solutions' Product Ecosystem

Research the company's core product lines — PremierOne (CAD, Records, Mobile), CommandCentral (analytics and operations), VESTA (911 call handling), Avigilon (video security), WAVE PTX (broadband push-to-talk), and APX/MOTOTRBO (radio systems) — and connect your experience to these where authentic. If you've worked with similar platforms (Hexagon CAD, Tyler Technologies, Zetron), mention these explicitly as transferable expertise. For presales and configuration roles, demonstrate experience translating complex technical capabilities into customer-facing proposals.

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Include Relevant Certifications and Technical Credentials

Motorola Solutions values industry certifications that validate technical depth. For cybersecurity roles, certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, or GIAC hold weight. For infrastructure and systems roles, list AWS/Azure/GCP certifications, ITIL, or Cisco credentials. For dispatch and CAD roles, any APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) or NENA (National Emergency Number Association) training is highly relevant. Place certifications in a dedicated section that Workday can parse cleanly.

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Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management

Motorola Solutions' products span hardware, software, cloud, and services — roles here rarely operate in isolation. Emphasize experiences where you collaborated across engineering, product management, sales, and customer success teams. For roles like NYC Systems Manager or Presales Configuration Manager, highlight your ability to manage relationships with external stakeholders, particularly government clients or large enterprise accounts. Use phrases like 'coordinated across cross-functional teams' and 'managed relationships with municipal agency stakeholders.'

ATS System: Workday

Motorola Solutions uses Workday (specifically the wd5 instance) to manage their entire recruitment pipeline from application intake through onboarding. Workday parses uploaded resumes into structured data fields, ranks candidates based on keyword matching and screening question responses, and serves as the primary communication channel between recruiters and applicants throughout the hiring process.

Upload resumes in .docx or standard .pdf format — Workday's parser handles these most reliably, while scanned PDFs or image-heavy formats often fail to parse correctly
Use a single-column layout with standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications) to ensure Workday maps your content to the correct profile fields
Mirror exact keywords and phrases from the Motorola Solutions job posting in your resume — Workday enables recruiters to search and filter candidates by specific terms like 'P25,' 'CAD administration,' or 'mission-critical'
Always review and correct your parsed Workday candidate profile after uploading — auto-parsed dates, job titles, and employer names frequently contain errors that make your profile appear incomplete or inaccurate
Complete every required and optional field in the Workday application form, as incomplete profiles are commonly deprioritized or filtered out by recruiter searches
Avoid special characters, logos, graphics, and non-standard fonts that can cause Workday's parser to garble text or omit entire sections of your resume
Set up job alert notifications within your Workday candidate account to be notified when new Motorola Solutions positions matching your criteria are posted — with only a small number of active roles at any time, speed matters

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Interviewing at Motorola Solutions reflects the company's identity as a mission-driven technology provider serving public safety — expect a process that is structured, thorough, and focused on both technical capability and cultural alignment with the company's purpose. The typical interview process spans two to four rounds over three to six weeks, though timelines vary by role seniority and department. The initial phone screen with a recruiter is conversational but purposeful. Expect questions about your understanding of Motorola Solutions' market (mission-critical communications, not consumer phones), your motivation for applying, and logistical considerations like location flexibility or clearance eligibility. Demonstrating that you've researched the specific product line relevant to your role — whether that's PremierOne CAD, VESTA 911, or Avigilon video — makes a strong first impression. Subsequent rounds typically include a hiring manager interview and one or more technical or functional assessments. For engineering and cybersecurity positions, anticipate hands-on technical evaluations: coding exercises, system architecture discussions, or troubleshooting scenarios centered on high-availability, secure systems. For customer-facing roles like Systems Manager or Presales Configuration Manager, expect scenario-based questions simulating interactions with public safety agency clients — interviewers want to see that you can translate complex technology into clear value propositions for non-technical stakeholders. Panel interviews with cross-functional team members are common, particularly for mid-level and senior roles. You may meet with engineers, product managers, customer success leaders, and occasionally senior directors in the same session. Motorola Solutions values collaborative problem-solving, so interviewers often assess how you think through ambiguous problems aloud and incorporate input from others. Culture fit signals that interviewers look for include a genuine connection to the company's mission (helping first responders and communities), comfort with the pace of enterprise and government technology cycles, and a track record of accountability — when your product supports 911 systems, there's no room for 'move fast and break things' mentality. Many interviewers will ask behavioral questions about how you've handled high-stakes situations, managed competing priorities, or maintained quality under pressure. Arriving with specific examples of times you delivered reliable, high-impact work will serve you well across every round.

What Motorola Solutions Looks For

Genuine passion for public safety technology and understanding of how mission-critical communications directly impact communities and first responders
Technical depth paired with reliability mindset — experience building, supporting, or managing systems where downtime is unacceptable and quality is paramount
Familiarity with the public safety ecosystem including 911/PSAP operations, CAD/RMS platforms, land mobile radio systems, or emergency communications standards like P25
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, particularly the ability to work across engineering, sales, customer success, and government relations teams
Customer-facing communication ability — translating complex technical solutions into clear, compelling language for government agency decision-makers and public safety leaders
Security awareness and compliance orientation, including experience with or eligibility for security clearances and familiarity with frameworks like CJIS, FedRAMP, or ITAR
Adaptability to enterprise and government technology sales cycles, which are longer and more relationship-driven than typical commercial tech environments
Demonstrated accountability and ownership mentality — the ability to take responsibility for outcomes in environments where the stakes are high and errors have real consequences

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Motorola Solutions hiring process typically take from application to offer?

Based on common patterns reported by applicants, the Motorola Solutions hiring process typically spans three to six weeks from initial application to offer, though this can extend to eight weeks or more for roles requiring security clearances or government background checks. After submitting your application through Workday, you may wait one to two weeks before hearing from a recruiter, depending on the volume of applicants and the urgency of the role. Technical and customer-facing roles often require two to four interview rounds. Monitoring your Workday candidate portal for status updates is the most reliable way to track your application's progress.

Does Motorola Solutions require a cover letter with applications?

Motorola Solutions' Workday application portal does not always require a cover letter, but submitting one is strongly recommended — especially for competitive roles or positions where your resume alone doesn't fully convey your connection to the company's mission-critical communications domain. A well-crafted cover letter is your opportunity to explain why you want to work specifically at Motorola Solutions (not just any tech company), how your background relates to public safety technology, and what draws you to the specific product area. Keep it to one page and reference the specific role and product line by name.

What format should my resume be in for Motorola Solutions' Workday ATS?

Submit your resume as a .docx or a text-based .pdf file for the best parsing results in Motorola Solutions' Workday system. Avoid scanned PDFs, image-heavy designs, infographic resumes, or multi-column layouts — Workday's parser struggles with these formats and may omit or scramble critical information. Use standard section headers like 'Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills,' and 'Certifications.' After uploading, always review the auto-populated fields in your Workday candidate profile and correct any parsing errors before clicking submit. A cleanly parsed profile ensures recruiters see your complete qualifications when searching the candidate database.

Is Motorola Solutions the same as Motorola the phone company?

No, and demonstrating this understanding during your application process is genuinely important. Motorola Solutions separated from Motorola Mobility (the consumer phone business, now owned by Lenovo) in 2011. Motorola Solutions focuses exclusively on mission-critical communications technology for public safety agencies, government organizations, and enterprises — products like two-way radios, 911 call-handling systems, computer-aided dispatch software, video security, and command center platforms. Interviewers commonly use this distinction as an early filter: candidates who conflate the two companies signal a lack of research, while those who articulate Motorola Solutions' specific mission immediately establish credibility.

Does Motorola Solutions offer remote or hybrid work options?

Yes, Motorola Solutions offers remote and hybrid work arrangements for many positions, as evidenced by several current postings explicitly designated as remote (such as the Junior Dispatcher - Entry Level - Remote Office and VESTA Customer Support Manager - TX Remote roles). However, remote eligibility varies significantly by role — positions involving on-site system installations, hardware engineering, or direct customer facility support may require regular in-person presence. During the application process, each Workday posting specifies the location arrangement. Discuss remote work expectations during your recruiter phone screen to ensure alignment before advancing through the interview process.

What experience level do I need to apply to Motorola Solutions?

Motorola Solutions hires across the full experience spectrum, from interns and entry-level associates to senior directors and executive-level leaders. Current openings include dedicated internship programs (Cybersecurity Internship 2026, Presales Engineering Intern), entry-level positions (Junior Dispatcher), and senior specialist roles (PremierOne CAD Application Specialist, Infrastructure System Manager). For entry-level and intern candidates, the company values academic projects, relevant coursework, and demonstrated interest in public safety technology or cybersecurity over years of professional experience. For experienced hires, domain expertise in mission-critical communications, public safety operations, or government technology is a significant differentiator.

How should I follow up after applying to Motorola Solutions through Workday?

Your Workday candidate portal is the primary channel for tracking application status — log in periodically to check for updates, interview scheduling requests, or additional information requests. If two to three weeks pass without any status change, consider reaching out to a Motorola Solutions recruiter via LinkedIn with a brief, professional message expressing your continued interest and referencing the specific job requisition number from Workday. Avoid contacting hiring managers directly unless you have an existing professional relationship. Additionally, engaging with Motorola Solutions' LinkedIn content — their posts about product launches, public safety partnerships, and community impact — can increase your visibility to the talent acquisition team.

Do I need a security clearance to work at Motorola Solutions?

Not all Motorola Solutions positions require a security clearance, but many roles — particularly those involving government contracts, law enforcement technology, or critical infrastructure — may require you to pass an enhanced background check or obtain clearance at a specific level. The job posting in Workday will indicate clearance requirements, and recruiters typically address this during the initial phone screen. If you currently hold an active clearance or have held one in the past, highlight this prominently on your resume — it's a meaningful competitive advantage. If you don't hold a clearance but are eligible to obtain one (typically requires U.S. citizenship for certain levels), state your eligibility clearly in your application.

What makes a strong candidate for Motorola Solutions' cybersecurity and technical internships?

Motorola Solutions' technical internship programs — such as the Cybersecurity Internship 2026 and Presales Engineering Intern — look for candidates who combine foundational technical skills with genuine curiosity about mission-critical technology. Strong candidates typically demonstrate relevant coursework or projects in cybersecurity, networking, software development, or systems engineering, along with awareness of the public safety technology landscape. Familiarity with frameworks like NIST, OWASP, or basic penetration testing tools is valuable for cybersecurity interns. Participation in CTF (Capture the Flag) competitions, cybersecurity clubs, or relevant open-source projects can compensate for limited professional experience. In your application, explicitly connect your academic work to Motorola Solutions' mission — explain why securing 911 infrastructure or protecting law enforcement communications motivates you.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 257 open positions at Motorola Solutions

Related Resources

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Sources

Motorola Solutions Careers Portal — Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions Company Overview — About Us — Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions Reviews and Interview Insights — Glassdoor
Motorola Solutions Product and Technology Portfolio — Motorola Solutions