AEM Technical Architect

Merkle Italia; Pune District; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Merkle in Pune, India seeks an experienced AEM Technical Architect to lead architecture, modernization, and integration of scalable digital experiences. You will guide cross-functional teams, ensure performance, and align with client goals across on-prem and cloud estates.

The role focuses on AEM Cloud Service, headless/composable delivery, and modern authoring models, with emphasis on governance and high-quality delivery.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in enterprise software engineering or solution architecture with hands-on AEM experience.
• Deep knowledge of AEM architecture including Sites, Assets, Content Fragments, and Headless delivery.
• Strong Java, Sling, OSGi, HTL, JCR, Dispatcher, and CI/CD skills.

Responsibilities

• Architect robust, secure, and scalable AEM solutions across diverse domains.
• Lead cross-functional technical teams and guide technology choices across frontend, backend, and delivery.
• Act as primary technical SME for clients, driving modernization and best-practice adoption.

Skills

AEM

Java

Sling/OSGi

GraphQL

REST/SOAP

CI/CD

Front-end frameworks

Cloud platforms

Agile delivery

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science/IT

Tools

Adobe Cloud Manager

Edge Delivery Services

Universal Editor

Job description

Job Description: Job Title: AEM Technical Architect We are seeking a forward-thinking and technically strong Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Technical Architect to lead the design, modernization, and integration of scalable digital experience platforms. This role acts as the technology lead and CMS subject matter expert for client engagements, with deep knowledge of AEM as a Cloud Service, composable and headless architectures, modern authoring models, and high-performance delivery patterns such as Edge Delivery Services with Universal Editor. You will architect enterprise-grade AEM solutions, guide modernization from legacy implementations, apply AI-enabled development and operations practices, and proactively identify better ways to deliver measurable value for clients.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & Design

Architect robust, secure, and scalable AEM solutions across Sites, Assets, Content Fragments, Experience Fragments, Headless CMS, GraphQL/OpenAPI integrations, and Edge Delivery Services-enabled experiences. Act as the CMS technology SME, helping clients navigate platform capabilities and recommending the most effective solutions. Evaluate and design integrations with surrounding systems including CRM, DAM, marketing automation, and analytics. Assess when to use traditional AEM Sites, headless/composable delivery, document-based authoring, or Edge Delivery Services depending on client needs, migration complexity, performance goals, and operating model. Define modernization roadmaps for AEM 6.5, AMS, and AEM as a Cloud Service estates, including phased adoption of Universal Editor, Edge Delivery Services, content modeling, and API-first delivery.

Technology Leadership

Lead cross-functional technical teams, ensuring best practices in architecture, development, and deployment. Guide technology choices for frontend, backend, and delivery architecture-balancing modern frameworks, Universal Editor compatibility, performance, maintainability, scalability, and enterprise governance. Participate hands-on when necessary, especially in complex integrations or issue resolutions. Lead PoCs and define reusable frameworks, accelerators, block libraries, starter kits, and reference architectures for AEM Cloud Service and Edge Delivery Services implementations. Use AI-assisted and agentic development practices responsibly to accelerate code quality checks, migration analysis, content modeling, troubleshooting, and delivery workflows while maintaining human review and architectural ownership.

Client Engagement & Innovation

Act as the primary technical point of contact for clients on CMS solutions, providing trusted guidance and making proactive recommendations—not just reacting to requests. Drive innovation by staying informed on AEM as a Cloud Service releases, Edge Delivery Services, Universal Editor, Adobe Experience Cloud integrations, content supply chain evolution, and broader CMS/DXP trends. Advise clients on pragmatic adoption of emerging capabilities, including where greenfield Edge Delivery Services implementations, selective brownfield modernization, and traditional AEM Sites approaches are most appropriate.

Integration & Performance

Design and implement integrations using REST, GraphQL, SOAP where required, event-driven patterns, Adobe I/O, middleware, cloud-native services, and composable enterprise APIs. Ensure solutions are optimized for performance and scale, applying Dispatcher and CDN strategies where relevant, and leveraging Edge Delivery Services for low-latency, high-performing web experiences when appropriate. Establish data flow architectures that ensure data consistency, security, and integrity.

Governance, Security & Compliance

Enforce coding and architecture standards, security best practices, privacy-by-design principles, accessibility, content governance, release governance, and Cloud Manager quality gates in line with organizational and client-specific guidelines.

Team Enablement & Collaboration

Collaborate closely with developers, business analysts, and client stakeholders. Provide mentorship to team members across disciplines (backend, frontend, DevOps) to build collective strength. Drive a culture of continuous improvement and shared accountability.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise software engineering or solution architecture, with significant hands-on experience in Adobe Experience Manager and modern digital experience platforms.
• Deep knowledge of AEM architecture, including Sites, Assets, Content Fragments, Experience Fragments, Headless CMS, GraphQL, Universal Editor, Edge Delivery Services, and AEM as a Cloud Service operating models.
• Strong expertise in Java, Sling, OSGi, HTL, JCR, Dispatcher configuration, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Frontend expertise in modern frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, or similar technologies, with solid understanding of web performance, accessibility, Core Web Vitals, and framework-agnostic authoring patterns.
• Proficient in backend integrations using REST/SOAP, middleware tools, and message brokers.
• Strong understanding of database technologies, cloud platforms, Adobe Cloud Manager, CI/CD automation, observability, DevOps practices, and deployment governance across AWS, Azure, or equivalent cloud environments.
• Experience working in Agile delivery models with a focus on rapid value delivery and iterative design.
• Experience with migration or modernization programs, including AEM 6.5 to AEM as a Cloud Service, component refactoring, content model redesign, performance remediation, and platform rationalization.

Nice to Have

• Awareness or hands-on experience with Content Supply Chain tools such as Adobe Workfront, Adobe Express, DAM workflows, asset lifecycle management, review/approval automation, and content velocity optimization.
• Familiarity with Adobe Experience Cloud products beyond AEM.
• Experience with Adobe I/O, App Builder, GraphQL, OpenAPI, personalization, experimentation, analytics integration, and AI-assisted content or development workflows.
• Exposure to agentic AEM concepts, AI-supported pipeline troubleshooting, developer agents, content modernization agents, or automated migration accelerators.
• Working knowledge of other CMS platforms (e.g., Contentful, Sitecore, Drupal) to provide comparative insight.

Soft Skills

• Proactive mindset – ability to anticipate client needs and offer improvements, not just fulfill requests.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills - capable of translating complex technical concepts into business-friendly language.
• Team player with leadership presence and the ability to influence across teams and stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.

Location: DGS India - Pune - Indiqube Orchid Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering - exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way - helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way.