Architect, Front-End Next.js & React
Job Type: Contract
Location: San Ramon, CA
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Overview
We are seeking a seasoned Front-End Architect with strong hands-on expertise in Next.js and React to lead the design and delivery of high-performance, scalable web applications.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an experienced front-end engineer who combines strong engineering fundamentals with expertise in headless architecture, modern web performance, SEO/AEO, and API-driven digital experiences.
You will work closely with design, product, content, backend, and platform teams to build fast, accessible, scalable, and discoverable web experiences. You will also mentor junior and mid-level developers and help establish engineering best practices across the organization.
Key Responsibilities Front-End Architecture & Development
- Design, build, and maintain scalable web applications using Next.js and React.
- Apply modern Next.js capabilities including App Router, Server Components, SSR, SSG, ISR, and CSR.
- Develop clean, semantic, accessible HTML and CSS with responsive, pixel-perfect implementations across devices and browsers.
- Build robust, maintainable, and well-tested JavaScript/TypeScript applications.
- Establish front-end architecture standards, component patterns, and development best practices.
- Optimize application performance, including page load speed, Core Web Vitals, bundle size, rendering strategy, and runtime performance.
- Ensure applications meet modern standards for security, accessibility, scalability, and maintainability.
Headless Architecture & Integration
- Architect and integrate front-end applications with headless CMS platforms, such as Builder.io, Contentful, or similar solutions.
- Integrate headless commerce platforms and API-driven backends.
- Design scalable content models and API integration patterns supporting flexible and reusable front-end components.
- Collaborate with backend and platform teams to define clean API contracts and effective data-fetching strategies.
- Evaluate architecture and integration approaches to ensure scalability and long-term maintainability.
- Working knowledge of Shopify is highly desirable.
SEO & AEO Optimization
- Implement technical SEO best practices within Next.js applications, including:
- Metadata
- Structured data / Schema.org
- XML sitemaps
- Canonical tags
- Crawlability
- Indexability
- Apply emerging Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) practices to improve content discoverability and representation within AI-driven search and conversational answer engines.
- Partner with content and marketing teams to translate SEO and AEO requirements into technical solutions.
- Monitor and improve search visibility, Core Web Vitals, and answer-engine readiness through ongoing audits and optimization.
- Ensure content and page structures are technically optimized for both traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered discovery platforms.
Engineering Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead architecture discussions, technical design decisions, and code reviews.
- Own architectural decisions end-to-end and identify flawed approaches early.
- Clearly communicate technical trade-offs and advocate for technically sound solutions, even under delivery pressure.
- Ensure effective handoff of requirements and technical solutions between offshore and onshore teams.
- Identify and resolve misalignment before development begins.
- Mentor junior and mid-level developers and promote strong front-end engineering practices.
- Collaborate with UX/UI designers, product managers, backend engineers, content teams, and other stakeholders.
- Champion engineering best practices across testing, CI/CD, code quality, documentation, and development standards.
Required Technical Skills
- Next.js App Router, SSR, SSG, ISR
- React Hooks, component architecture, state management
- JavaScript / TypeScript
- HTML5 / CSS3
- Responsive and accessible web development
- Headless CMS and API integrations
- Headless commerce architecture
- Technical SEO and structured data
- Core Web Vitals and web performance optimization
- Modern build and deployment tooling
- CI/CD and automated testing
- Git and modern software development practices
Behavioral Competencies
- Strong ownership and accountability
- Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills
- Clear and effective technical communication
- Strong cross-functional collaboration
- Technical leadership and mentorship
- Ability to make and defend architectural decisions
- Strong attention to quality and detail
- Adaptability to emerging technologies and development practices
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Mandatory Qualifications
- 10+ years of professional front-end development experience.
- At least 3 years of extensive hands-on React and Next.js experience in production environments.
- Strong expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript.
- Demonstrated experience building applications using headless architectures, including headless CMS and/or headless commerce platforms.
- Strong understanding of technical SEO.
- Familiarity with or strong interest in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and AI-driven search/answer engines.
- Proven experience with performance optimization and Core Web Vitals.
- Experience with modern build, deployment, testing, and CI/CD tooling.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical architecture and front-end engineering initiatives.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in place of a degree.
Communication & Presentation Expectations
The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment and demonstrate the ability to:
- Clearly explain technical decisions, architecture choices, and trade-offs to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Present architecture proposals, performance audits, and SEO/AEO strategies during design and planning sessions.
- Produce clear technical documentation and participate effectively in code reviews and knowledge-sharing activities.
- Collaborate effectively with designers, content teams, product managers, backend engineers, and other stakeholders.
- Align technical implementation with broader business and product objectives.
Why Join This Opportunity?
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior front-end architect to play a significant role in shaping modern, high-performance digital experiences while influencing architecture, engineering standards, SEO/AEO strategy, and technical direction.
If you are passionate about React, Next.js, headless architecture, web performance, and modern digital experiences, we encourage you to apply.
Apply today to be considered for this opportunity.