Frontend Software Engineer (Js, CSS)

About The Company Cars Commerce is a leading innovator in the automotive industry, dedicated to simplifying the process of buying and selling cars through advanced technology solutions. Recognized as a Best Company to Work For in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report, we prioritize collaboration, integrity, and a people-centric approach in everything we do. Our portfolio includes platforms such as Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, AccuTrade, Dealerclub, and our Cars Commerce Media Network, all aimed at connecting automotive dealerships, manufacturers, and consumers more effectively. We are committed to delivering a seamless, transparent, and engaging experience for our users, leveraging tierless technology to drive local automotive retail success. Our culture fosters open-minded communication, ownership, and continuous improvement, making us a dynamic and rewarding place to build a career. About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Software Engineer to join our Marketplace Engineering Team, which is responsible for building and enhancing the core platform that supports millions of users in their automotive purchasing journey. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of automotive commerce by developing innovative, integrated solutions that simplify and elevate the customer experience across web and mobile platforms. As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be instrumental in revitalizing our customer-facing tooling, defining technical strategies, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions. This is a remote position based in the Chicago area, with potential onsite interviews, offering an exciting opportunity to influence the industry at scale and work on cutting-edge technologies that impact millions of users. Qualifications

• 8+ years of comprehensive software engineering experience
• Proficiency in frontend technologies including JavaScript, TypeScript, Web Components, and frameworks such as React, Vue, or Svelte
• Strong understanding of browser fundamentals: HTML, CSS, DOM, and performance optimization
• Experience with browser developer tools for layout, tracing, and performance profiling
• Solid knowledge of backend architectures and architectural patterns
• Proven leadership in cross-functional initiatives and team mentorship
• Experience with component-based design systems, theming, responsiveness, and accessibility standards
• Passion for user experience, developer ergonomics, and performance metrics such as Core Web Vitals
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, deployment tools like CircleCI, Docker, Amazon EKS, and Terraform
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to operate with high autonomy and influence technical strategies across teams

Responsibilities

• Champion engineering best practices in software design, operational maturity, and quality assurance
• Lead and mentor development teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence
• Collaborate with platform, feature, and mobile teams to determine technical needs and constraints
• Guide the development and implementation of server-driven UI architectures, including flexible search interfaces
• Drive the integration of agentic AI technologies to enhance product personalization and recommendations
• Define and enforce operational metrics, alerting, and runbooks to ensure system reliability
• Participate in release planning, automate deployment processes, and mitigate deployment risks
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to align engineering efforts with business objectives
• Identify and resolve technical blockers, escalating issues as necessary
• Contribute to the development of scalable backend systems supporting high-performance web and mobile experiences
• Explore innovative solutions to improve user engagement and operational efficiency

Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $135,300.00 - $169,150.00
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare plans
• New Hire Stipend for home office setup
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday benefits, including floating holidays and volunteer days
• Refuel recognition program offering additional paid time off
• Recharge Day to promote work-life balance
• Access to learning and development resources
• Inclusive and diverse work environment committed to employee well-being

Equal Opportunity Cars Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We value 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 applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as we are currently unable to sponsor employment visas. For more details, please review our Privacy Policy for Applicants and California Privacy Policy for Employees.