Senior Backend AEM Developer

We are seeking a highly specialized and experienced Senior Backend AEM Developer to drive the architectural design, implementation and optimization of our core AEM platform and services. This role is strictly focused on server-side logic, data integration, performance tuning and the development of robust, scalable OSGi components and APIs that power our digital experiences. You will be a key technical leader responsible for the stability and performance of our AEM ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

• Core backend development: Design, develop and maintain advanced OSGi services, Sling Models, custom JCR queries and workflows to support complex business requirements within AEM.
• API and integration leadership: Lead the technical design and implementation of integrations between AEM and external systems, including PIM, CRM, e-commerce engines and other third-party RESTful and SOAP APIs.
• Performance and scalability: Conduct deep performance analysis and optimization, focusing on AEM repository access, Java code efficiency, Dispatcher configuration and cache invalidation strategies to ensure high availability and low latency.
• Architecture and standards: Define and enforce backend coding standards, architecture patterns and security best practices (OWASP, AEM security checklists) across all AEM environments.
• Troubleshooting: Serve as the final escalation point for complex server-side issues, performance bottlenecks and deployment challenges within AEM Author and Publish instances.
• Data and content modeling: Design and implement efficient content structures and schemas using Content Fragments, Experience Fragments and custom components to support scalable content management.
• Mentorship and code review: Actively participate in peer code reviews and mentor mid-level and junior developers on advanced AEM backend development and modern Java best practices.

Required skills and qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of dedicated, hands-on backend development with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM 6.x and above, particularly AEM as a Cloud Service).
• Deep Java expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Java/J2EE and mastery of the fundamental AEM APIs (JCR, Sling, OSGi).
• AEM backend mastery: In-depth knowledge of AEM architecture, including the OSGi service lifecycle, JCR design and Sling request processing, and a proven ability to build clean, maintainable and tested OSGi bundles.
• Integration proficiency: Extensive experience designing and developing decoupled service-layer integrations, including consuming and exposing RESTful APIs.
• Database and querying: Strong understanding of JCR structure and performance-oriented query writing (JCR-SQL2, Oak Query Engine).
• DevOps and deployment: Experience with CI/CD pipelines, build tools (Maven), version control (Git) and AEM deployment processes, including the AEM Dispatcher.
• Cloud (preferred): Familiarity with cloud-native deployment patterns and infrastructure (AWS/Azure) related to AEM.

Preferred qualifications

• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in AEM Backend Development or AEM Architect.
• Experience with AEM Forms and its backend integration points.
• Proficiency in performance testing and AEM monitoring tools (e.g., Dynatrace, New Relic).
• Experience in secure coding practices and resolving security findings.