We are seeking an experienced AEM Front-End Lead Developer to architect, lead, and deliver modern, scalable, and high-performance digital experiences using Adobe Experience Manager (AEM Sites & Edge). The ideal candidate will lead UI engineering initiatives, establish enterprise front-end standards, and drive implementation of responsive and personalized web experiences aligned with brand guidelines and accessibility standards.
This role requires deep expertise in AEM front-end architecture, ClientLibs, Edge Delivery Services, enterprise design systems, cloud deployments, and AI-assisted development workflows using Cursor, GenAI coding assistants, and modern developer tooling.
Our engineers are AI native and engage in and advance the state of the art in the practice of software development with AI.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Lead front-end architecture and development for enterprise AEM Sites and Edge implementations.
- Design and develop scalable AEM front-end components using HTL (Sightly), React, Angular,JavaScript, and TypeScript
- Define reusable UI frameworks, enterprise design systems, component libraries, and front-end governance standards
- Implement and maintain enterprise brand guidelines across websites, landing pages, microsites, and digital campaigns
- Architect and manage scalable AEM Client Libraries (ClientLibs) including categories, embeds, dependencies, and proxy configurations
- Drive adoption of AI-assisted development workflows using Cursor IDE, GenAI coding assistants, and automated UI code-generation tools
- Lead implementation of Content Fragments, Experience Fragments, Edge Delivery Services, and headless CMS architectures
- Collaborate with AEM backend developers for Sling Models, GraphQL APIs, REST APIs, and headless content delivery
- Optimize Core Web Vitals, Lighthouse scores, accessibility compliance (WCAG), and overall front-end performance
- Mentor development teams through code reviews, architecture discussions, UI governance, and best-practice enforcement
- Collaborate with UX/UI teams to ensure pixel-perfect implementation of Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch designs
- Troubleshoot complex issues related to ClientLibs, caching, CDN behavior, Edge delivery, browser compatibility, and responsive rendering
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Expert-level knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, TypeScript
- Strong experience with React, Angular or SPA architecture within AEM
- Expertise in responsive web design, mobile-first development, and modern CSS techniques
- Strong experience with HTL (Sightly), Sling Models, AEM Client Libraries (ClientLibs), and AEM Core Components
- Deep understanding of AEM Sites, Edge Delivery Services, Content Fragments, and Experience Fragments
- Experience integrating front-end applications with RESTful APIs and GraphQL APIs
- Strong expertise in Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, Material UI, Foundation, or similar CSS frameworks
- Experience implementing enterprise design systems and reusable component libraries
- Knowledge of CSS methodologies such as BEM, OOCSS, SMACSS, or Atomic Design
- Experience translating Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or Storybook assets into reusable UI components
- Strong understanding of Core Web Vitals, Lighthouse optimization, lazy loading, caching, critical CSS, and image optimization
- Expertise in WCAG accessibility standards and cross-browser compatibility testing
- Experience using Cursor IDE, GitHub Copilot, GenAI coding assistants, or AI-powered development workflows
NICE TO HAVE
- Experience with AEM SPA Editor and micro-frontend architectures
- Familiarity with Adobe Experience Platform (AEP), Workfront, and Adobe Journey Optimizer
- Knowledge of headless commerce integrations and omnichannel delivery
- Basic understanding of AEM backend architecture (OSGi, Sling, JCR)
ABOUT US
Born in 2001, Code and Theory is a digital-first creative agency that sits at the center of creativity and technology. We pride ourselves on not only solving consumer and business problems, but also helping to establish new capabilities for our clients. With a global client roster of Fortune 100s and start-ups alike, we crave the hardest problems to solve. We have teams distributed across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The Code and Theory global network of agencies is growing and includes Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Create Group, Current, and TrueLogic.
Striving never to be pigeonholed, we work across every major category: from tech to CPG, financial services to travel & hospitality, government and education to media and publishing. We value the collaboration with our client partners, including but not limited to Adidas, Amazon, Con Edison, Diageo, EY, J.P. Morgan Chase, Lenovo, Marriott, Mars, Microsoft, Thomson Reuters, and TikTok.
The Code and Theory network is comprised of nearly 2,000 people with 50% engineers and 50% creative talent. We’re always on the lookout for smart, driven, and forward-thinking people to join our team.
The base compensation range for this role is $120,000 – $170,000 and spans multiple levels. We're open to hiring at the level that best matches the right candidate's experience. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, budget, and location.
Skills Required
- Expert-level knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, TypeScript
- Strong experience with React, Angular or SPA architecture within AEM
- Strong experience with HTL (Sightly), Sling Models, AEM Client Libraries (ClientLibs), and AEM Core Components
- Deep understanding of AEM Sites, Edge Delivery Services, Content Fragments, and Experience Fragments
- Experience integrating front-end applications with RESTful APIs and GraphQL APIs
- Strong expertise in Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, Material UI, Foundation, or similar CSS frameworks
- Experience implementing enterprise design systems and reusable component libraries
- Knowledge of CSS methodologies such as BEM, OOCSS, SMACSS, or Atomic Design
- Experience translating Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or Storybook assets into reusable UI components
- Strong understanding of Core Web Vitals, Lighthouse optimization, lazy loading, caching, critical CSS, and image optimization
- Expertise in WCAG accessibility standards and cross-browser compatibility testing
- Experience using Cursor IDE, GitHub Copilot, GenAI coding assistants, or AI-powered development workflows
- Proven experience leading, mentoring, and conducting architecture/code reviews for front-end teams
- Experience with AEM SPA Editor and micro-frontend architectures
- Familiarity with Adobe Experience Platform (AEP), Workfront, and Adobe Journey Optimizer
- Knowledge of headless commerce integrations and omnichannel delivery
- Basic understanding of AEM backend architecture (OSGi, Sling, JCR)
Code and Theory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Code and Theory and has not been reviewed or approved by Code and Theory.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off policies include an “unlimited”/flexible PTO approach with paid holidays/sick time and seasonal early-close Fridays, offering notable flexibility. These options provide additional downtime beyond standard accrual models.
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Healthcare Strength — Core medical, dental, and vision coverage is part of the standard package, with employer-verified health plan information cited as current. Life and disability insurance further reinforce foundational coverage.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with employer match is included in the package, supporting long-term savings. Candidates are encouraged to confirm the match formula during the offer stage.
Code and Theory Insights
What We Do
Code and Theory is a strategically driven, digital-first creative agency that lives at the intersection of creativity and technology. We solve consumer and business problems across the entire customer journey that flex to meet the ever-changing needs of consumer expectations. We put the user, their behaviors and needs, at the center of everything we do — from our proprietary research methodologies, to product development processes, to how we create brand, channel and messaging strategies. Our goal is simple: to solve our clients business problems. We bring big ideas to life by looking holistically at brand ecosystems where digital plays a prominent role in driving the consumer from first-touch through to conversion to relationship deepening over time. We identify gaps in the consumer journey and opportunities in culture that require products, services or communications to fill. We work across categories, ranging as far and wide as health care (Pfizer, Sanofi, Reach MD, Bioreference Laboratories) to financial services (JP Morgan Chase, Prudential, Morgan Stanley, First Data) to cpg (Mars, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson) to technology companies (Facebook, Xerox, Samsung, Comcast) to culture brands (adidas, H&M). And because our DNA is in publishing — we’ve embedded in over 135 newsrooms in the past decade — we bring unique expertise in understanding how content is created, distributed and optimized, including our work with CNN, NBC News, NBC Sports, and Bustle Digital Group. At Code and Theory, we strive to only be limited by our own ambition and creativity. We believe in pushing our creativity beyond the easy and obvious answers in order to deliver the solutions that are right for our clients, their businesses, and their consumers.
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