ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Headless Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Weber

Shopify Developer

Palatine, IL · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Summary: Weber Blackstone is seeking a skilled Shopify Developer to own the development ... Familiarity with Shopify APIs and the Storefront API for custom app or headless integrations.

Weber

Shopify Developer

Palatine, IL · Hybrid

$85K - $100K/yr

Summary: Weber Blackstone is seeking a skilled Shopify Developer to own the development ... Familiarity with Shopify APIs and the Storefront API for custom app or headless integrations.

Abbott

Senior Solution Architect

Waukegan, IL · On-site

The architect partners with product, UX, and engineering teams to create high-quality, reusable ... Architect component-based and headless solutions , integrating AEM with modern front-end ...

Abbott

Senior Solution Architect

Waukegan, IL

The architect partners with product, UX, and engineering teams to create high-quality, reusable ... Architect component-based and headless solutions , integrating AEM with modern front-end ...

Abbott

Senior Solution Architect

Chicago, IL

The architect partners with product, UX, and engineering teams to create high-quality, reusable ... Architect component-based and headless solutions , integrating AEM with modern front-end ...

Abbott

Senior Solution Architect

Chicago, IL

The architect partners with product, UX, and engineering teams to create high-quality, reusable ... Architect component-based and headless solutions , integrating AEM with modern front-end ...

Abbott

Senior Solution Architect

Waukegan, IL · On-site

The architect partners with product, UX, and engineering teams to create high-quality, reusable ... Architect component-based and headless solutions , integrating AEM with modern front-end ...

Globant

Full Stack Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

CMS experience (integrated or headless) * AngularJS * Test automation (Apps, UIs, and APIs -- ex ... Terraform Additional Information All of our engineers are backed up by our Technical Directors and ...

DATAMAXIS

Magento B2C Systems Analyst

Northbrook, IL · On-site

Knowledge of DevOps processes, including CI/CD pipelines. * Experience with Magento upgrades (2.4.x) * Familiarity with headless commerce architectures and API-driven integrations * Exposure to ...

DATAMAXIS

Magento B2C Systems Analyst

Northbrook, IL · On-site

Knowledge of DevOps processes, including CI/CD pipelines. * Experience with Magento upgrades (2.4.x) * Familiarity with headless commerce architectures and API-driven integrations * Exposure to ...

DATAMAXIS

Magento B2C Systems Analyst

Northbrook, IL · On-site

Knowledge of DevOps processes, including CI/CD pipelines. * Experience with Magento upgrades (2.4.x) * Familiarity with headless commerce architectures and API-driven integrations * Exposure to ...

Codal

Senior Project Manager

Chicago, IL

Manage cross-functional teams including Product, Design, Engineering, QA, and DevOps. * Align ... Experience working across multiple solution types (application modernization, headless CMS ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHeadless Developer JobsHeadless Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Headless Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$17

$54

$84

How much do headless developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for headless developer in Chicago, IL is $54.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.59 and $66.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Headless Developer?

A Headless Developer specializes in building applications using headless architecture, where the frontend (user interface) is decoupled from the backend (content management or data source). This allows developers to create flexible, scalable, and customizable digital experiences across multiple platforms like web, mobile apps, and IoT devices. Headless Developers typically work with APIs to connect the backend to various frontends, enabling faster development cycles and easier content delivery. Their expertise is valuable for organizations seeking omnichannel solutions and modern web development practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Headless Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Headless Developer, you need a strong background in web development, API design, JavaScript frameworks (such as React or Vue), and a solid understanding of headless CMS platforms. Familiarity with tools like Contentful, Strapi, GraphQL, RESTful APIs, and version control systems (e.g., Git) is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and adaptability to rapidly changing technologies are valuable soft skills. These competencies ensure seamless integration of backend and frontend systems, delivering flexible, scalable digital experiences.

How does a Headless Developer typically collaborate with designers and backend teams on projects?

As a Headless Developer, you will often work closely with designers to implement user interfaces using frontend frameworks, while collaborating with backend teams to integrate APIs and data sources. This role requires strong communication skills to ensure the visual and functional aspects of the application align with both design guidelines and backend capabilities. Expect to participate in regular stand-ups, code reviews, and planning sessions where cross-team coordination is essential for delivering seamless digital experiences. Effective collaboration is key to addressing challenges that arise from decoupling the frontend and backend.

What is the difference between Headless Developer vs Front-End Developer?

AspectHeadless DeveloperFront-End Developer
Primary FocusBuilding and integrating decoupled backend systems with APIs for flexible content deliveryDesigning and implementing user interfaces and user experiences for websites and applications
Required SkillsAPI integration, backend development, JavaScript frameworks, CMS knowledgeHTML, CSS, JavaScript, UI/UX design, responsive design
Work EnvironmentOften collaborates with backend teams, works on headless CMS and API-driven platformsPrimarily works on client-side development, visual design, and user interaction

While both roles involve JavaScript and web development, a Headless Developer specializes in backend and API integration for flexible content management, whereas a Front-End Developer focuses on creating engaging user interfaces and experiences. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers target the right skills and responsibilities for each role.

What are popular job titles related to Headless Developer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Headless Developer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Headless Developer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Headless Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Headless Developer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Headless Developer job openings:
Headless Developer jobs near you
Senior Director of Front-End Engineering

Senior Director of Front-End Engineering

Northern Impact

Lincolnshire, IL • On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Overview
One of America's largest retailers is seeking a Senior Director of Front-End Engineering to join their growing company!
We're seeking a visionary Senior Director of Front-End Engineering to lead a growing team in building high-performance, scalable, and user-friendly front-end systems. You'll drive the strategic direction of front-end engineering across multiple products and platforms, collaborating with design, product, marketing, and engineering teams to align our technology stack with long-term company objectives.The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in front-end development with exceptional leadership skills and a passion for delivering outstanding user experiences.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategy
  • Mentor and lead front-end engineers, fostering professional growth and high performance
  • Develop and implement a front-end engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with company goals
  • Drive innovation in front-end technologies, frameworks, and tools
  • Cultivate a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence

Technical Leadership
  • Oversee architecture, design, and implementation of front-end systems for multiple products
  • Ensure adherence to performance, scalability, accessibility, and security best practices
  • Collaborate with UX/UI designers to create intuitive, polished user experiences
  • Drive adoption of front-end frameworks (React, Next.JS, TypeScript), build tools, and deployment processes
  • Guide code reviews, pull requests, and quality control processes
  • Enforce automated testing and code quality standards
  • Establish KPIs for engineering productivity, quality, and impact
  • Assist with resource planning and delivery

Collaboration & Communication
  • Work closely with back-end engineers for seamless system integration
  • Partner with product managers to translate user needs into technical requirements
  • Effectively communicate progress, challenges, and technical decisions to all stakeholders

Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)

Experience
  • 10+ years in front-end development, delivering complex, high-quality software
  • 5+ years leading and growing engineering teams
  • Expertise in modern front-end frameworks, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and front-end tooling
  • Experience with headless ecommerce platforms and content management systems
  • Familiarity with back-end technologies and APIs
  • Proven ability to drive technical decisions for large-scale applications
  • Experience in cloud-based, microservices architecture environments
  • Proficiency with TypeScript or similar typed JavaScript supersets
  • Track record of scaling front-end teams in fast-paced environments

Skills
  • Strong leadership and team-building abilities
  • Deep understanding of user-experience principles
  • Excellent collaboration skills with product and design teams

Apply