About the Role
The Foundation for American Innovation champions the technology, talent, and ideas essential to American prosperity, security, and flourishing. We are builders, hackers, and scholars advancing an optimistic vision of the future—aligning technology with human ends to forge a more perfect union between innovation and the American republic.
To support this mission, FAI is seeking a Front-End Web Developer, reporting to the Creative Director, to lead the revamp of our web presence and build the digital infrastructure that reflects our standing as one of the most influential organizations at the intersection of technology and governance.
FAI's visual identity is rooted in IBM corporate modernism, the Swiss International Style, and the bold geometric clarity of mid-century American design. The brand holds institutional gravity and startup energy in the same frame: we publish serious policy research for Senate committees and throw raves at DC nightclubs, and both of those things should feel like they come from the same organization when you visit our site and engage with our work online.
The Front-End Web Developer will work directly with the Creative Director, developing and translating our design system onto the web with the same level of craft and creativity FAI is proud to display across its work. You'll also own the CMS layer that lets non-technical staff publish without breaking things.
This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, but remote work is available.
Responsibilities
Web development and design implementation (~50%). Build, maintain, and iterate on FAI's public-facing website and landing pages. Translate design files into production-ready HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Implement the design system faithfully: type scale, color palette, illustration assets, grid conventions. Develop reusable components and templates that allow the external relations team to publish content related to policy research and new FAI events and initiatives independently.
Content systems (~25%). Configure and maintain the CMS. Implement and document publishing workflows so non-technical staff can update the site with minimal friction. Coordinate with the policy teams on content needs.
Performance, accessibility, and infrastructure (~25%). Maintain high standards for page speed, Core Web Vitals, and SEO. Keep the site reliable and fast as the content library grows.
Qualifications
We're open-minded about backgrounds. The right person might come from a design agency, an in-house creative team, a startup, or somewhere else entirely. What matters is that your web work shows real visual sensitivity and you care about the details that separate a well-built site from a functional one.
You'll be a good fit if you are:
- A craftsperson. You have a strong portfolio of design-forward web work. Your sites show genuine typographic sensitivity, attention to spacing and hierarchy, and a level of polish that goes beyond getting the layout to match the comp. You care about the details.
- Technically fluent. You're proficient in HTML, CSS, and modern JavaScript, with React or similar framework experience. You've implemented design systems from Figma or equivalent tools and know how to build components that hold up across browsers and screen sizes.
- A good translator. You can take a designer's intent and realize it in the browser without losing what made it good. You understand why a 2px difference in line-height matters and you don't need to be told.
- Systems-minded. You've worked with headless CMS platforms (Contentful, Sanity, or similar) and understand how to build publishing workflows that non-technical people can actually use. You think about maintainability.
- A clear communicator. You can document your systems for colleagues who don't write code. You write well enough that your documentation is useful six months later.
- Aligned. You're sympathetic to FAI's right-of-center, reform-oriented mission.
This is probably not the right role if you:
- Don't have a portfolio, or your portfolio is primarily back-end or full-stack work without a strong visual dimension. We need someone whose first instinct is design quality.
- Want to make all the architecture decisions yourself. The CMS choice, deployment stack, and design system are collaborative decisions with the Creative Director and External Relations team. You'll have real input, but this isn't a solo technical lead role.
- Aren't comfortable working in-person in DC at least once a month. This role requires close collaboration with the Creative Director and External Relations team, and that happens in the office.
- Are looking for a role where the website is a side project. This is the job. The site and associated web content is the primary deliverable.
Nice to have:
- Experience building interactive data visualizations (D3.js, Observable, or similar).
- Back-end development experience (Node.js, Python).
- Experience creating and shipping reusable component libraries or design system tooling.
Benefits and Perks
- Annual salary range estimated to be $110,000–$150,000 but is negotiable based on experience
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- $1,000 annual book credit
- Monthly commuter benefit
- Unlimited vacation policy
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- Paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to FAI’s mission
- Link to portfolio or representative work samples
- Salary requirements
- Résumé
- Three professional references
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted until it is filled.
To apply, please complete this form.
FAI is an equal-opportunity employer. We review applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, uniformed services, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
