Application Developer

Clark College; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Generous paid time off

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision, life, and/dis

Education support

Job summary

Clark Construction Company in Lansing, MI is seeking an Applications Development Manager to own an AI-native platform and lead the applications team. You will ship working versions quickly, set UX, security, and maintainability standards, and partner with employees to translate problems into buildable solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership with a builder-first mindset, guiding one developer now and scaling the team, while reporting to IT leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to ship business applications that are used by real users.
• Experience shipping AI-enabled features beyond chatbots.
• Working knowledge of SQL and data design; ability to guide deeper work.

Responsibilities

• Build, test, and launch practical business applications and AI-enabled features.
• Set standards for user experience, quality, security, and maintainability across Clark-built applications.
• Lead and grow the applications team while remaining hands-on in development.
• Own application security, risk management, support, bug resolution, and the change queue.
• Partner with employees to understand operational problems and translate them into useful solutions.
• Explain technical choices and risks clearly to employees and executives.

Skills

AI tooling

SQL design

UI/UX instincts

Security mindset

Cross-functional

People leadership

Job description

Applications Development Manager

Clark Construction Company | Lansing, MI | Full-time

We buy the big systems. We build everything else. Clark has 28+ internal apps built with AI, used by 300 people every day, replacing paid tools one at a time. We are hiring the person who will own that platform and help lead the company on AI.

If you have built apps on your own and learned that building was the easy part-and finding users was the hard part-this is the job where that problem is already solved. The users are here, and they have been asking for it.

About the Role

This is a builder-first, manager-second role. You will develop on an AI-native application platform using the best-fit models and tools, ship working versions in days, and define what a Clark application should look like for employees in the field and the office. You will lead a growing applications group, currently with one developer, and serve as Clark's technical lead on AI alongside the Director of IT. The applications team is one of three IT divisions, with direct access to the people you build for and no unnecessary layers.

Based in Lansing - Ideal candidates may live near Lansing, East Lansing, Jackson, DeWitt, Potterville, Charlotte, Howell, Brighton, or other surrounding areas

What You’ll Do

• Build, test, and launch practical business applications and AI-enabled features.
• Set standards for user experience, quality, security, and maintainability across Clark-built applications.
• Lead and grow the applications team while remaining hands-on in development.
• Own application security, risk management, support, bug resolution, and the change queue.
• Partner directly with employees to understand operational problems and translate them into useful solutions.
• Explain technical choices, opportunities, and risks clearly to employees and executives.

What You Bring

• A track record of shipping business applications that people use. Side projects count; what you have built matters more than how long you have been building.
• Deep, current knowledge of AI tools and models, including experience shipping AI features-not just using a chatbot.
• Working knowledge of SQL and data design, with the judgment to lead specialists who go deeper.
• Strong UI/UX instincts and a security mindset. You move quickly without being reckless.
• The ability to work with people across the business, uncover the real problem, and translate it into something buildable.
• An interest in leading without giving up hands-on development. First-time managers are welcome if they have led work and earned others' trust.

Why Work with Us?

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer committed to superior construction management. Our passion lies in delivering high-quality buildings safely and sustainably. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, but not limited to:

• Profit sharing
• Generous paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Support for ongoing education and professional development

*Clark is a Certified Veteran Friendly Employer (VFE)

Background Check Notice

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. This may include verification of employment history, education, and professional references, as well as criminal background or driving record checks, as permitted by law.

Results of the background check will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Michigan law (MCL 37.2205a), which prohibits employers from asking about or making hiring decisions based solely on certain criminal records. A prior conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment; each situation will be reviewed individually based on job-related factors.