AEM ARCHITECT JOB DESCRIPTION

An AEM Architect who cannot translate a client's multi-brand content governance requirements into a coherent platform architecture leaves development teams building against incompatible assumptions. That gap surfaces as failed deployments, rework across multiple digital properties, and missed launch commitments. The AEM Architect resolves this by owning the technical vision for enterprise web content management platforms, from component model design through production governance, across engagements that span multi-site and multi-lingual delivery environments. Few technical roles require fluency in both OSGi bundle architecture and executive-level roadmap communication simultaneously.

As the AEM Architect, you define the platform architecture and technical strategy for Adobe Experience Manager implementations serving global enterprise clients, with direct accountability for component design, integration patterns, and delivery quality across concurrent engagements. You operate within a professional services or consulting organization, working alongside front-end and back-end developers, project managers, and client stakeholders, with a reporting line to technical leadership or a practice director.

Career Impact: Delivering two or more large-scale AEM 6.x implementations as the accountable architect builds a portfolio of named enterprise credentials that are directly legible to senior hiring committees in the digital experience platform market.

Business Impact: Client marketing teams depend on the architecture decisions made in this role to determine whether multi-brand personalization, content syndication across dozens of properties, and automated workflow management perform at scale or require costly remediation.

Growth Opportunity: The combination of pre-sales exposure, offshore team management, and platform governance experience in this role creates a direct path toward a practice lead or enterprise solutions architect title within a professional services organization.

• Architect enterprise-grade component models and integration patterns for multi-site, multi-lingual web content management platforms serving global clients.
• Define technical strategy, project plans, and phased delivery roadmaps aligned to client priorities and platform prerequisites.
• Lead design and code reviews across development teams to enforce coding standards, performance benchmarks, and appropriate design patterns.
• Partner with client stakeholders to translate content governance requirements into architectural specifications and present options to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Design and oversee OSGi bundle development, template and workflow configuration, and deployment pipeline standards across concurrent client engagements.
• Evaluate existing client architectures and recommend migration, re-platforming, or integration strategies that account for system capacity and legacy dependencies.
• Mentor developers and coordinate with enterprise architects to establish implementation processes and quality gates within an Agile delivery environment.
• Support pre-sales activities by scoping consulting engagements, preparing technical proposals, and contributing to knowledge assets such as best-practice documentation and delivery templates.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 or more years of hands-on AEM development and architecture experience, with at least two large-scale AEM 6.x implementations completed in a technical architect role.
• Demonstrated expertise in enterprise Java frameworks, including OSGi, Apache Sling, and Apache Felix, with a deep understanding of JCR repository implementation and content-centric application patterns.
• Proficiency in core web technologies, including HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, XML, and RESTful web services, with experience in single-page application frameworks.
• Proven ability to design multi-tenant platform architectures that enable multiple brands to share a common component library and deployment pipeline.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting architectural decisions to non-technical client stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Experience working in Agile or Scrum delivery teams, including sprint planning, estimation, and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to manage concurrent client engagements, including coordination with offshore development teams and vendor partners.

• Adobe AEM certification at the developer or architect level, reflecting formal platform credentialing recognized in the enterprise CMS market.
• Experience integrating AEM with marketing automation, analytics, or commerce platforms within a multi-system enterprise architecture.
• Background in pre-sales technical consulting, including scope definition, effort estimation, and client roadmap advisory during the sales cycle.
• Familiarity with cloud-based AEM deployment models, infrastructure sizing, and CI/CD pipeline configuration for AEM services.

• Number of AEM implementations delivered on schedule, reflecting architecture clarity and sprint delivery ownership across concurrent projects.
• Code review defect rate per sprint, measuring how effectively architectural standards are enforced before production deployment.
• Client-reported rework incidents per engagement, indicating how accurately the initial architecture anticipated multi-site and integration requirements.
• Time-to-resolution for production escalations on managed AEM platforms, tracing to the architect's ownership of system stability and debugging standards.
• Pre-sales conversion rate on technically scoped proposals, reflecting the quality of architectural recommendations presented during the sales cycle.
• Typical tools: CMS platform (commonly Adobe Experience Manager 6.x or AEM as a Cloud Service); build and deployment (commonly Maven, Jenkins, or equivalent CI/CD tooling); version control (commonly Git via GitHub or Bitbucket)

• Base Salary Range: $130,000 to $175,000 annually, depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus, typically 8 to 15 percent of base salary
• Equity: Varies by employer; stock or RSUs are common at larger technology consulting firms
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard across the industry
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US federal holidays
• Common Perks: Professional certification reimbursement, Adobe training access, remote or hybrid work model, conference attendance support

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required; sponsorship availability varies by employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request during the application and hiring process. Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background check consistent with applicable law.

The AEM Architect owns the end-to-end technical strategy for Adobe Experience Manager solutions, architecting and designing AEM component models for web and mobile digital platforms serving global enterprises. Reporting through the development organization and representing the technical team in customer-facing engagements, the AEM Architect delivers focused client advice by diagnosing technical environments and facilitating the review of complex solution options to drive optimal business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a recognized authority in AEM software-based solutions and technologies.
• Diagnose client technical environments and how Adobe technology is used to deliver focused advice.
• Analyze complex project issues, identify possible solution options, and facilitate the presentation and review of options and recommended solutions with clients.
• Maintain the highest level of technical expertise by keeping current with the latest Adobe technologies through available learning opportunities and self-study.
• Define and articulate technical strategy, project plans, and timelines.
• Architect and design AEM component models used to construct digital platforms for both web and mobile for global enterprises.
• Streamline components and templates to work across multiple digital properties.
• Provide technical leadership for the development team, representing them in customer-facing dealings, taking ownership in sprint delivery, and resolving functional and technical issues relating to AEM.
• Multi-task efficiently across multiple client engagements simultaneously alongside key internal initiatives.
• Act as a change agent in pursuit of constant tuning and improvement of the team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in web and/or ECMS technologies.
• Proficiency in HTML, DHTML, CSS, XML, and related technologies, including DTDs, XSLT, and XML dialects such as SOAP and WML.
• Proficiency in Object-Oriented Programming using Java, including Java Server Pages, Taglibs, EJBs, and JavaBeans.
• Proficiency in at least one current SQL dialect and in integration technologies and techniques.
• Debugging skills across general TCP/IP networking, UNIX operating systems, HTTP protocol and request processing, and SMTP, with appropriate use of debugging tools.
• Knowledge of the Sling or OSGi frameworks, JCR API, RESTful principles, ExtJS framework, and Dispatcher or CDNs is a plus.
• Understanding, installation, and administration of Tomcat Servlet Engine or any commercial application server and its related technologies.
• Administration and debugging of web servers, including Apache.
• Optimize web solutions and architect to accommodate performance requirements.
• Articulate technical solutions and how they address client business problems to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Adapt effectively to a variety of clients and challenging situations, employing strong facilitation skills and establishing credibility and trust quickly.

Embedded within the enterprise architecture function, the AEM Architect develops architectural approaches and solutions for AEM enterprise-level integration efforts affecting upstream and downstream legacy systems, driving success across complex multi-tenant implementations. Working closely with partner teams, infrastructure vendors, and internal stakeholders, the AEM Architect shapes a scalable technology roadmap that enables multiple brands to derive value from a shared platform.

Core Functions

• Design and develop architectural approaches and solutions, conduct business reviews, document current systems, and develop recommendations for proceeding with applications.
• Ensure and drive the success of AEM enterprise-level integration and development efforts affecting upstream and downstream legacy systems.
• Evaluate existing or proposed systems and devise computer systems and related procedures to solve business needs.
• Provide solution recommendations that consider system capacity and limitations, operation time, and desired results.
• Understand current and envisaged business and IT models and participate in the core group of architects executing tactical and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with partner teams on technical requirements and ensure smooth integration of all applications.
• Recommend options for technology migrations, re-platforming, and other transformation or development initiatives.
• Execute thought leadership on end-to-end implementation of applications, including AEM 6.x, AEM Analytics, Angular2, HTML5, CSS3, server-side JavaScript, and serverless architecture.
• Participate in constructive discussions to create a scalable technological roadmap.
• Work with internal infrastructure teams and vendors to provide recommendations for hardware and system software upgrades, including sizing and optimizing infrastructure for higher performance.
• Ensure quality delivery on projects and documentation procedures, and drive best practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in Adobe Experience Manager.
• 2+ years of experience in at least one Adobe experience product, including Analytics, Audience, Campaign, Commerce, Dynamic Media, or Target.
• Experience in reviewing current architecture and defining go-forward architecture, implementation practices, and strategies for integrating with external systems.
• Experience delivering an integrated solution that enables a multi-tenant architecture, allowing multiple brands to derive value from a shared platform.
• Experience working in a pre-sales and marketing environment.
• Design and development experience in Adobe AEM, including templates, components, dialogs, widgets, and the AEM development and deployment process using Maven.
• Experience with AngularJS, HTML5, jQuery, JSTL, JavaScript, AJAX, and front-end frameworks.
• Strong understanding of AEM platform architecture, infrastructure setup, management, and performance optimization, including Sling, Felix/OSGi, and various JCR repository implementations.
• Excellent knowledge of automating the deployment and management of AEM services.
• Experience integrating with external vendor products such as translation services and Adobe products, including Site Catalyst, Test and Target, Communities, and Forms with Experience Manager.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Reporting to senior technical leadership, the AEM Architect leads the translation of client content management requirements into enterprise-level architectural designs using the Adobe AEM platform to support multi-site, multi-channel, and multi-lingual delivery environments. Partnering with front- and back-end developer teams and client stakeholders, the AEM Architect builds digital consumer experiences across the AEM product suite to advance platform capability and client outcomes.

Primary Duties

• Develop digital consumer experiences using the Adobe AEM product suite, including WCM, DAM, and Social Collaboration.
• Develop powerful features such as multi-site and multi-channel delivery, personalization and targeting, content aggregation and syndication, multi-lingual support, automated workflow management, and social media.
• Interact with clients to create end-to-end specifications for content and collaboration solutions and present architectural decisions to stakeholders.
• Apply deep understanding of AEM and other Adobe solutions, including Analytics and Campaign, to make appropriate technical decisions.
• Develop and oversee OSGi bundles, AEM templates, HTL/Sightly components and services, AEM launches, workflows, localization features, AEM Mobile and Forms applications, and the AEM DAM.
• Diagnose and solve technical problems related to content management implementation.
• Conduct code reviews for ongoing projects to ensure optimal code quality and appropriate design patterns are used.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Adobe Experience Manager.
• Experience in at least one Adobe product, including Advertising, Analytics, Audience, Campaign, Commerce, Content Management, Marketo Engage, Personalization, or Target.
• Must have handled at least two to three large AEM implementations in AEM 6.x in a technical architect role.
• Deep understanding of Java, Java EE, Servlets, and HTL/Sightly, combined with a strong understanding of enterprise Java frameworks such as Spring.
• Expertise in core web technologies, including XML, HTML5, CSS, client- and server-side scripting languages such as JavaScript, preferably using SPA, and web services development using RESTful implementations.
• Proficient in Adobe AEM foundational concepts, including core frameworks such as Apache Sling and Apache Felix, all related building blocks, including templates, components, dialogs, and widgets, and the AEM development and deployment process.
• Proficient knowledge of the end-to-end content lifecycle, web content management, content publishing and deployment, and delivery processes.
• Good understanding of Day CQ/Adobe AEM WCM capabilities, including Multi-site Manager and Blueprinting, and online marketing components such as advanced targeting, personalization, and multi-variate testing.
• Good understanding of integration patterns and content-centric application development patterns using Day CQ/Adobe AEM with or without a Portal, Search, Commerce package, or other platforms.
• Strong understanding of SDLC methodologies, including Agile and SCRUM.

Sitting at the intersection of technical architecture and digital marketing strategy, the AEM Architect designs and deploys Adobe Digital Marketing solutions, including Adobe Experience Management, Adobe Analytics, and Adobe Target for global enterprise clients. Operating across client teams, developers, system administrators, project managers, and business analysts, the AEM Architect leads the construction of a state-of-the-art Digital Marketing Platform that advances client marketing effectiveness.

Duties

• Install and configure Adobe Experience Manager for on-premise or cloud-based solutions.
• Architect and design the component model used to construct a digital platform for both web and mobile using Adobe Experience Manager for global enterprises.
• Streamline components and templates to work across multiple digital properties.
• Configure OSGi settings for an AEM installation and install and configure core code bundles for AEM-related projects.
• Effectively communicate physical architectural designs to customers and present design options and considerations.
• Conduct hands-on development of AEM templates and components leveraging the AEM Sightly framework, employing strong coding standards for efficiency, readability, and reuse.
• Resolve complex code issues through a hands-on approach.
• Design analytics scenarios and content-targeting scenarios, and architect how those scenarios will be implemented in AEM and Adobe Target.
• Help establish overarching program goals and objectives in the digital marketing program for customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• A master's degree in Computer Science or a related field is preferred.
• Certification in AEM.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in web content management and 10 years of IT experience.
• Experience architecting at least two large implementations of Adobe Experience Manager (version 6.0 and later required; AEM 6.4 is a plus).
• Experience designing content lifecycle using Adobe and Adobe Marketing tools, and in complete project lifecycle activities on development and maintenance projects.
• Knowledge and experience developing software using Agile methodologies, with a proven track record of technical leadership roles delivering solutions within defined timeframes.
• Strong JEE and front-end technology experience in Angular, jQuery, SASS, and CSS.
• SOA development experience using NodeJS and related technologies, with good-to-have mobile hybrid application development experience.
• Experience working with a globally distributed team and managing offshore teams.
• Skilled in building relationships with clients and in practice development activities, with demonstrated success in managing complex or large consulting projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical staff.

A key member of the consulting practice, the AEM Architect leads the construction of AEM technical architectures across multiple solutions that align with client industry standards, use cases, and digital marketing strategies. Collaborating across client stakeholders, technical leads, and offshore teams, the AEM Architect delivers strategic guidance that maximizes digital marketing effectiveness and builds out the maturity and scale of the consulting practice.

Functions

• Construct AEM technical architecture for multiple solutions fitting client industry standards, use cases, strategy, and technical needs.
• Work with technical leads to design solutions that optimally utilize Adobe tools and support client use cases, strategy, and industry standards.
• Break down customer strategies into phased roadmaps according to customer priorities, industry best practices, and technology prerequisites and dependencies.
• Contribute to customer digital marketing strategies based on industry best practices and provide strategic guidance and direction to customers for maximizing digital marketing effectiveness.
• Use the latest best-practice learning from the industry to help customers ensure that marketing campaigns and solutions are fully integrated and fine-tuned via data-driven insights.
• Assist with defining digital marketing solution and consulting scope during the sales cycle.
• Progress the overall maturity and scale of the consulting practice by creating and sharing knowledge in the form of whitepapers, best practices, methodologies, and templates.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Adobe Experience Manager.
• 2+ years of experience in at least one Adobe product, including Advertising, Analytics, Audience, Campaign, Commerce, Content Management, Marketo Engage, Personalization, or Target.
• Expertise in HTML, HTML5, JavaScript, XML, Java, WCM, services-based architecture, REST, web analytics, and content targeting.
• Experience working in a pre-sales and marketing environment.
• Knowledge of current digital marketing trends and best practices, including personalization, cross-channel marketing, mobile, and data-driven optimization of experiences.
• Experience managing offshore teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to identify issues, solve them quickly, and know when to rely on internal resources.
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, verbal, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Innovative thinker with the desire to help build out a new consulting practice and be a pioneer within the industry.
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal direction.

Successful delivery of highly scalable and highly available AEM-based web solutions depends on the AEM Architect, who owns the creation and integration of solutions that translate complex functional, technical, and business requirements into architectural designs using industry best practices. Based within cross-functional technology teams that span front-end, middleware, backend, and environment tracks, the AEM Architect leads planning, estimation, and day-to-day development oversight to shape large-scale, highly responsive Adobe Experience Manager applications.

Accountabilities

• Manage client expectations by capturing technical requirements and goals for web development and advising on best practices.
• Work with teams to define AEM standards and execution plans.
• Develop custom AEM components, OSGi services, workflows, and MSM.
• Lead internal design and code reviews and day-to-day development efforts of the development team.
• Architect and develop solutions for highly scalable and highly available systems, providing architecture services for highly integrated and high-performing AEM solutions.
• Own the creation and integration of solutions using AEM, translating complex functional, technical, and business requirements into architectural designs using industry best practices.
• Participate in client meetings to explain the solution approach and provide oversight, planning, and technical guidance to ensure the successful delivery of AEM-based projects.
• Work within technology teams to build and maintain large-scale, highly responsive applications, preferably cloud-based, using Adobe Experience Manager, interfacing with a range of internal and external applications.
• Identify technology trends and platforms, including web and mobile applications, and collaborate with team members to make recommendations based on organizational needs.
• Lead planning and estimation of Adobe projects across all tracks, including front-end, middleware, backend, and environment setup.
• Ensure implementation of coding best practices to optimize page load time, performance, security, and scalability of the entire application.
• Assist in the creation of technical documentation.

Technical Qualifications

• Experience in Adobe Experience Manager, with at least two to three large AEM 6.x implementations handled in a technical architect role.
• Well-versed with Adobe Marketing Cloud products, including Analytics, Campaign, Commerce, Marketo Engage, and Target.
• Strong integration experience, including building custom connectors where no product support exists.
• Extensive working experience with enterprise web content management systems, specializing in Adobe AEM/CQ, covering the full SDLC with hands-on implementation.
• Experience with Adobe Experience Cloud products, including AEM Sites, Assets, Launch, and Target, as well as Sensei Smart Tag and Adobe I/O.
• Experience with continuous integration and delivery processes and strong knowledge of DevOps tools covering source control, build, configuration, monitoring, and log management.
• Experience in a fast-paced Agile Scrum delivery team environment covering design, development, administration, and troubleshooting in AEM.
• Excellent communication skills.

As the AEM Architect, this role works with client technical teams and enterprise architecture leadership to define and attain the client's digital strategy, maintaining authoritative knowledge of AEM 6.x architecture and the latest platform features. The consulting organization relies on this work to coordinate project deliverables, guide capacity planning with key technology partners, and ensure architectural decisions on AEM administration, cloud deployment, and security integrations are executed with precision.

Activities

• Understand the customer roadmap and current support and development efforts, and suggest architectural guidance.
• Develop technical and conceptual designs in support of the overall application design with respect to Adobe Marketing Cloud.
• Coordinate and prepare project deliverables and team communications, and plan and track the course of projects.
• Engage periodically with key technology partners for capacity planning and create awareness of upcoming features while providing guidance.
• Maintain good knowledge of AEM 6.x architecture and the latest features, including migration and upgrade experience.

Position Requirements

• Experience with AEM administration and configurations, including deployment options in on-premise and cloud environments using TarMK or MongoDB.
• Experience with version control integration with Adobe AEM and creation of Maven deployment scripts.
• Experience with authentication against LDAP servers, SSO, and SAML.
• Experience with secure web application development and deployment processes.
• Experience integrating third-party applications and software with Adobe AEM.
• Knowledge of integrating Adobe Marketing Cloud products, including Analytics, Target, and Adobe Launch.
• Ability to identify and recommend performance requirements and security models.

AEM Architect delivers enterprise-grade Adobe Experience Manager implementations of the highest quality, contributing to technical architecture, design standards, and quality gates across Digital Experience Platform communities as a Practitioner Coach. The work directly supports team transformation by role-modelling collaborative practices, mentoring developers, and writing application code and extensions that advance the Adobe platform to create outstanding business outcomes for clients.

Operational Focus

• Develop powerful features such as multi-site and multi-channel delivery, personalization and targeting, content aggregation and syndication, multi-lingual support, automated workflow management, and social media.
• Interact with clients to create end-to-end specifications for content and collaboration solutions.
• Provide input and direction to associates on the team for design and implementation.
• Collaborate with senior and enterprise architects to define implementation processes, quality gates, and standards.
• Write application code and extensions for the Adobe platform that exceed defined quality standards.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience or familiarity with technologies and best practices across customer experience, CRM, marketing, and sales automation, web content management, mobile solutions, social engagement, data-driven marketing, and tag management.
• Experience with other products in the Adobe Experience Cloud portfolio, especially Campaign, Analytics, and Target.
• Experience working in an Agile team environment and within AWS and other cloud environments.
• Proven track record of leading the development of solutions on Adobe platforms, with the ability to guide teams and clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Deep understanding of and hands-on development experience with Apache Sling for content-centric application development and Apache Felix for OSGi bundle development.
• Proficient in Adobe AEM foundational concepts, including core frameworks, all related building blocks such as templates, components, dialogs, and widgets, and the AEM development and deployment process.
• Good understanding of integration patterns and content-centric application development patterns using Adobe AEM with or without a Portal, Search, Commerce package, or other platforms.

The AEM Architect owns the full lifecycle of AEM platform implementation projects, serving as the technical lead directly involved in the design, development, and testing of multiple AEM sites across an Agile team environment. Collaborating with project teams and working independently with minimal supervision, the AEM Architect delivers self-directed analysis, scheduling, and problem-solving to build and maintain production AEM sites and extensions that meet defined technical specifications.

Key Deliverables

• Design and implement Adobe Experience Manager solutions.
• Perform the role of subject matter expert for Adobe Experience Manager.
• Learn and design integrations with various marketing technologies quickly.
• Communicate effectively with both non-technical clients and technical development teams.
• Prepare proposals and time estimates for future work and schedule work to meet completion dates and technical specifications.
• Require minimal supervision and provide oversight for assigned projects.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related IT field.
• Adobe AEM certifications are beneficial but not required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience developing with AEM (version 6.2 and higher).
• 5+ years of experience building sites using AEM CMS, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, or Vue.
• 5+ years of experience creating custom AEM components and templates, and maintaining and administering AEM sites.
• 5+ years of experience with Java and with HTTP and REST API usage.
• Experience utilizing BitBucket, GitHub, Jira, and Confluence, and with AMS as a hosting platform.
• Familiarity with eCommerce and Magento.
• Advanced architecture design, diagramming, and code design and execution skills.
• Advanced troubleshooting and configuration skills, including technical issues addressed via phone and in person.
• Advanced knowledge of a ticket-based tracking system and advanced organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Understanding of cross-browser compatibility issues and approaches.
• Experience following Agile development practices.