Software Developer Team Lead

WHERE CODE MEETS CREATIVITY: BUILDING THE SYSTEMS THAT MOVE US FORWARD

THE OPPORTUNITY:

At Lakeshirts, we move fast, build things that matter, and ship work that makes a difference not someday, but today. From the systems that power our art automation to the platforms that connect our teams, great technology is at the heart of what we do.

We're seeking a Lead Developer to own day-to-day development operations and lead our talented team of developers and tech artists. This role sits at the intersection of AI innovation and platform delivery you'll be the person who keeps the dev team sharp, work with PMO team to keep sprints on track, and the builds going out the door.

Reporting to the IT Manager, you'll partner closely on company development initiatives while owning the technical execution that makes them real. If you're a hands-on developer who loves leading from the front, mentoring a strong team, and building systems that scale this is your role.

Schedule: Monday–Friday Location: Onsite employment in Detroit Lakes, MN

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead and manage the development team (developers and tech artists), owning day-to-day development operations and sprint execution.
• Partner with the IT Manager to scope, plan, and deliver company development initiatives within existing sprint capacity.
• Serve as the technical lead on development projects writing code, reviewing PRs, and setting the bar for quality.
• Work with PMO team sprint planning, backlog grooming, and delivery timelines to ensure commitments are met without disrupting existing platform priorities.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, clean code, and ownership.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, PMO, and other teams to align on priorities and unblock delivery.
• Evaluate and introduce new tools, frameworks, and practices to keep the team current and effective.
• Communicate development status, blockers, and wins clearly to leadership.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the company's value of Team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of software development experience, with 2+ years in a lead or senior role.
• Experience with C#, ASP.NET, JavaScript, and HTML (our core stack).
• Strong understanding of AI/ML integration, APIs, and automation workflows.
• Proven ability to manage sprint-based delivery without over-committing team capacity.
• Experience mentoring developers and driving a high-performance team culture.
• Strong communicator able to translate technical work into clear updates for non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a bias toward shipping.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, operations, or production environment is a plus.
• Must love dogs (we kinda like them a lot at HQ).

OUR CULTURE IS ONE-OF-A-KIND

We are proud of our humble beginnings and non-corporate style. We offer a unique atmosphere unlike any other manufacturer. We work hard to be the best and seek committed individuals who will help move our company forward while embracing our values and culture.

Lakeshirts | Blue 84 is one of the largest privately owned screen-printing manufacturers in the United States, decorating and distributing a wide variety of garments for the resort, college, and K-12 markets. At our headquarters in Detroit Lakes, MN, we employ over 900 great people and proudly produce 45,000+ garments daily.

It's not just a job - it's a lifestyle.

LIFE'S BETTER IN A T-SHIRT. IT REALLY IS.

COGNITIVE OR MENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Employee must be able to see and hear, read and write. Requires adaptability, analyzing, assessing, calculating, decision-making, dependability, judgment, reasoning, speaking, following direction, and the ability to handle multiple priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

NEVER (0%): Climb, Crawl, Lift 25–50 lbs., Lift over 50 lbs., Carry 25–50 lbs., Carry over 50 lbs.

OCCASIONALLY (1%–33%): Lift, Stand, Walk, Carry, Push, Pull, Balance, Bend, Twist, Reach, Lift under 10 lbs., Lift 10–24 lbs., Carry under 10 lbs., Carry 10–24 lbs.

FREQUENTLY (34%–66%): Reach below shoulder height.

CONTINUOUSLY (67%–100%): Sit.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and should in no way be considered a contract or guarantee of employment. Employees may perform other related duties as needed based on the ongoing needs of the business. Minnesota is an Employment-At-Will state and implies no specific length of employment.