AEM Architect @ Chicago IL Hybrid.

Job Summary:
We (NextRow) are looking for an experienced AEM Architect to lead the architecture, design, and delivery of enterprise-scale Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with AEM 6.x/AEM as a Cloud Service, cloud architecture, integrations, CI/CD, and digital experience platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead end-to-end architecture for Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) implementations.
• Design scalable and secure solutions using AEM Sites, Assets, Content Fragments, Experience Fragments, OSGi, Sling, JCR, HTL, and Dispatcher.
• Lead AEM Cloud Service implementations, modernization, migrations, and upgrades.
• Design integrations between AEM and enterprise systems using REST APIs, microservices, CRM, DAM, eCommerce, and third-party platforms.
• Develop reusable AEM components, templates, services, and architecture frameworks.
• Establish CI/CD and DevOps practices using tools such as AEM Cloud Manager, Jenkins, Git, Maven, Terraform, or similar technologies.
• Ensure application performance, scalability, security, caching, CDN, and availability.
• Work with business stakeholders, Product Owners, UX teams, developers, DevOps, security, and enterprise architects to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, architecture reviews, code reviews, troubleshooting, and mentoring to development teams.
• Define technical standards, best practices, governance, and architecture roadmaps.
• Support headless and omnichannel digital experience solutions using GraphQL, Content Services, and API-first architecture.

Required Skills

• 8+ years of software development/architecture experience with 5+ years of hands-on AEM experience.
• Strong expertise in AEM 6.5 and/or AEM as a Cloud Service (AEMaaCS).
• Strong knowledge of AEM Sites, AEM EDS, Assets, OSGi, Sling, JCR, HTL, Dispatcher, workflows, templates, and components.
• Strong Java/J2EE and Spring Boot experience.
• Experience with REST APIs, JSON/XML, microservices, and enterprise integrations.
• Experience with AEM Cloud Manager and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or other cloud platforms.
• Strong understanding of web performance, coaching, CDN, security, and scalability.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Experience working across projects for multiple clients and organizations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and technical leadership skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Adobe Analytics, Adobe Target, Adobe Campaign, Adobe Experience Platform, or Adobe Commerce.
• Experience with React, Angular, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3.
• Experience with headless AEM, GraphQL, Content Fragments, and Experience Fragments.
• Experience integrating AEM with Salesforce, PIM, CRM, DAM, eCommerce, or other enterprise platforms.
• Experience with Kubernetes/Docker and cloud-native architectures.
• Adobe AEM certification is a plus.
• Experience with large-scale digital transformation programs.