Frontend Software Engineer (Next.js, React.js) Full Time NEW

Cars Commerce is a leading innovator in the automotive industry, dedicated to simplifying the process of buying and selling vehicles through advanced technology solutions. Our portfolio includes the highly recognized marketplace Cars.com, industry-leading digital experiences via Dealer Inspire, trade and appraisal tools like AccuTrade, reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace Dealerclub, and our innovative Cars Commerce Media Network. Our mission is to connect dealerships, manufacturers, and consumers seamlessly, enhancing automotive retail with tierless, AI-driven platforms. We foster a collaborative environment rooted in core values of integrity, openness, and ownership, emphasizing growth and employee well-being. Recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best Company to Work For in 2024, we prioritize diversity, employee experience, and sustainable success, making Cars Commerce a dynamic place for career growth and innovation.

About The Role

We are seeking a talented Lead Frontend Software Engineer to join our remote team, based in the Chicago area. In this pivotal role, you will lead the architecture and development of our newest dealer-facing platform, building high-performance, scalable, and user-centric interfaces using Next.js and React. You will be instrumental in designing the foundational patterns for secure, authenticated experiences that provide actionable insights to automotive dealers, enabling them to sell more cars and manage their operations efficiently. This is a greenfield opportunity where you will leverage your expertise in building complex, state-heavy applications with a focus on performance, accessibility, and usability. As an AI-native engineer, you will utilize Claude Code and other advanced developer tools to automate routine tasks, accelerate development cycles, and ensure architectural integrity. Your leadership will shape the future of our products, foster cross-team collaboration, and maintain engineering excellence through robust testing, observability, and CI/CD pipelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 8+ years of front-end software engineering experience
• Expert proficiency in Next.js, React, and TypeScript
• Experience in designing accessible, themeable design systems and familiarity with Server Driven UI (SDUI)
• Proven ability to architect scalable front-end solutions for SaaS or B2B enterprise platforms
• Strong understanding of browser fundamentals, HTML/CSS, DOM, and rendering optimization
• Deep knowledge of Core Web Vitals and performance best practices
• Experience with RESTful API integration and secure authentication/authorization protocols (OAuth, JWT, RBAC)
• High proficiency with Claude Code or similar LLM-based development tools
• Experience with modern CI/CD workflows, UI testing frameworks, and observability tools such as Datadog
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation to ensure system stability

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of high-performance, scalable frontend architectures for new products and features
• Architect and implement the Hub website, establishing foundational patterns for data insights, onboarding, and user management
• Design and evolve shared UI component libraries and design systems with a focus on accessibility and maintainability
• Collaborate with data, product, design, and engineering teams to translate business needs into technical solutions
• Leverage AI tools like Claude Code to automate mundane tasks, scaffold new features, and improve development velocity
• Ensure the long-term health of products through robust testing, observability, and CI/CD pipelines
• Participate in incident response, troubleshooting, and postmortem analysis to uphold system reliability and performance
• Set technical standards and mentor team members to foster a culture of engineering excellence and innovation
• Promote platform thinking and AI-assisted workflows within the engineering team

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision healthcare plans
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Floating holiday, volunteer day, and recharge days
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Recognition as a top industry employer with a focus on employee well-being

Equal Opportunity

Cars Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and join our innovative team.