Lead CMS Developer

Role Description

We’re hiring a Lead CMS Developer who combines consulting acumen with technical depth in modern website delivery. You will thrive in an agency environment, owning traditional and headless CMS architecture while remaining hands-on in development and guiding client-facing technical delivery.

Responsibilities

• Technical Execution: Lead the design and hands-on delivery of headless CMS solutions using Next.js, React, and APIs, with a strong focus on Optimizely SaaS CMS.
• Integrations: Oversee complex integrations between the CMS, Commerce, and third-party tools like search and analytics/tag management platforms.
• Team Leadership: Mentor development and QA teams to ensure high-quality code, accessibility, and SEO/AEO optimized structures.
• Consulting: Serve as a client-facing technical lead, driving solutioning workshops, scoping, estimation, and occasionally stepping into BA/PM responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on CMS development and scalable component data modeling in a consulting environment, with expertise in Optimizely CMS, Storyblok, or Contentful CMS strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, informatics, information technology or equivalent real-world experience.
• Strong frontend and backend development skills utilizing a Next.js and React framework, with the ability to translate Figma designs into responsive HTML/CSS.
• Proven experience configuring and integrating headless CMS platforms with enterprise ecommerce systems (like Salesforce Commerce).
• Understanding of modern web best practices and technical patterns around Core Web Vitals, SEO/AEO, and JSON-LD.
• Experience writing and consuming queries from headless APIs as Graph or REST.
• Practical understanding of DevOps pipelines and configuration for frontend hosting platforms, such as Netlify, Vercel, or Optimizely.
• Experience implementing third-party search solutions (e.g., Coveo, Algolia, etc.).
• Track record of leading developers on client projects while remaining active in the codebase.
• Optimizely certifications (or related CMS platforms) are highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to navigate high-feedback, client-facing environments with professionalism and poise.
• US-based remote worker with the flexibility to support clients across multiple time zones and occasionally travel to client sites or Studio Science HQ in Indianapolis.
• Must be authorized to work in the USA for any employer without the need for sponsorship now or anytime in the future.
• This organization participates in E-Verify.
• No third-party recruiters, please.
• Studio Science does not accept unsolicited resumes. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Studio Science, and Studio Science will not be obligated to pay a referral or placement fee.

Company Description

We help businesses design for people. Simply put, we believe every person deserves experiences that work better. In an increasingly changing world, we intentionally design systems to help our clients evolve with their customers’ needs. We recognize that business evolution and change are complex. We believe that honesty is the only policy, that none of us are as smart as all of us, and that being great is a choice.

Studio Science provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Studio Science complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.