Senior Web Developer

Description

The Cato Institute seeks a Senior Web Developer to join our Digital team and help advance our mission of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. In this role, you will build and maintain modern web applications that communicate our research and policy analysis to the public, policymakers, and supporters. Working with a dedicated team, you'll create elegant, responsive interfaces and employ modern development practices--including strategic use of AI tools--to deliver high-quality digital experiences that advance Cato's mission. The Senior Web Developer reports to the Chief Technical Architect.

This position is open to a hybrid or fully remote schedule.

The projected salary range for this role is $120,000 - $142,000 per year. 

Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization – a think tank – dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution – individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future. 

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Modern Web Application Development: Design, build, and maintain responsive, accessible web applications using TypeScript, React, NextJS, and other modern front-end technologies to deliver Cato Institute's policy content.
• UI Implementation: Translate design mockups from Figma into functional, pixel-perfect interfaces that enhance user experience while maintaining brand consistency.
• Component System Development: Create and maintain reusable UI components that ensure consistency across Cato's digital platforms and improve development efficiency.
• Technical Leadership: Contribute to architectural decisions, establish coding standards, and implement best practices for web development.
• Performance Optimization: Ensure web applications are fast, efficient, and provide an excellent user experience across all devices and platforms.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with designers, content creators, researchers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements and implement effective solutions.
• AI-Enhanced Development: Strategically utilize AI coding assistants and tools to accelerate development workflows, solve complex problems, and maintain high-quality code standards while exercising appropriate judgment about AI-generated solutions.

Requirements

Education/Experience

• Minimum 3 years of professional web development experience (5+ years preferred).
• Demonstrated experience building and deploying production web applications.
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment.

Skills

• Front-End Development: Strong proficiency in TypeScript, HTML5, and CSS/SCSS, including CSS modules and Tailwind CSS.
• React & Modern Frameworks: Advanced experience with React and its ecosystem, including NextJS, React Server Components, and Server Functions.
• User Interface Implementation: Demonstrated ability to build complex UI component systems and accurately implement design mockups from tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.
• Engineering Excellence: Knowledge of software development best practices, including version control and code quality tools. Commitment to writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Experience working in cross-functional teams to deliver a high-quality web experience.
• AI Tool Utilization: Experience leveraging AI assistants and tools to enhance development workflows and productivity. Ability to craft effective prompts for technical tasks and critically evaluate AI-generated code for quality, security, and alignment with project requirements.

Benefits

All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance 
• 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits 
• Pet discount plan