Lead Software Engineer (.NET)

Roadrunner is growing, and we're looking for a highly motivated Lead Software Engineer (.NET) to join our winning team. If you're results-driven and want a fast-growing company with strong growth and earnings potential, apply today!
Much of our operation runs on software we build ourselves. We're modernizing our core platforms, moving off legacy systems and onto cloud-native, API-first services on Azure. We also have AI use cases running in production and are expanding them carefully.
As Lead Software Engineer (.NET), you'll drive engineering practices and hands-on design within the applications team, working closely with our Director of Architecture. Your work directly affects how freight moves.
This role may provide opportunities for future leadership growth based on business needs and individual performance. You'll start as a hands-on lead, and as you show leadership, you can take on broader responsibility for people, priorities, and technical direction. What you’ll do

• Design and build scalable, secure services and web apps (C#, .NET 8+, ASP.NET Core, React, Azure)
• Lead the modernization of legacy applications: refactoring, re-platforming, and replacing them step by step
• Design APIs and integrations with internal systems, customers, and partners
• Own production quality: CI/CD, automated testing, observability, and secure coding
• Mentor engineers on the team through code reviews, design discussions, and day-to-day coaching
• Work directly with operations and business leaders to turn real freight problems into software

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years building production software in C# and .NET, including modern .NET, ASP.NET Core, and Entity Framework Core
• Strong SQL Server skills: data modeling, query tuning, performance
• Modern front-end knowledge (JavaScript/TypeScript); backend depth matters most.
• Hands-on Azure experience (App Service, Functions, Azure SQL, Storage, Application Insights, or similar)
• Experience designing RESTful APIs and system integrations
• A track record of improving or modernizing legacy .NET Framework systems
• Experience setting engineering practices (Git-based workflows, CI/CD, testing, code review) and mentoring other developers
• Comfort explaining technical tradeoffs to non-technical stakeholders

Nice to have

• Transportation, logistics, LTL, or supply chain experience
• Hands-on React or Angular experience
• API gateway, microservices, or identity/authorization experience
• Experience leading Scrum, Agile, or Kanban teams
• Hands-on use of AI coding tools or building AI-enabled features

Compensation & Setup

• Pay: $120,000 – $130,000 base salary
• Location: Hybrid – Downers Grove, IL
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary physical activity performing non- strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand, reach/handle items, work with the fingers, and talk and hear others in conversations via the phone or in person.

Work Environment

• Sedentary physical activity performing non- strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand, reach/handle items, work with the fingers, and talk and hear others in conversations via the phone or in person.
• Up to 5% travel; occasional after-hours support based on business needs
• Hybrid schedule: 3 days a week in the Downers Grove office
• Occasional after-hours escalations for production issues

* The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive. The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.

* Roadrunner is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

* We will not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters or recruiting agencies. Thank you!

#LI-HybridDowners Grove, IL

About Roadrunner

Roadrunner is for ambitious, smart people who excel at execution over talking about it, and who would rather invent the next standard in freight than accept the status quo.

We are looking for the Best of the Best. Action driven leaders who want to be part of real change and help design the future of LTL in the U.S. This is a place where high performers can grow, influence outcomes, and make an impact while working directly with executives and smart people from across industries.

We bring a winner mindset. We take ownership, raise the bar, and measure ourselves by results. We Run Safe. We Run Smart. We Run Together. These principles create an environment of high standards, clear ownership, and direct collaboration. We trust data over intuition, move with urgency, and hold each other accountable because winning requires it.

Roadrunner exists to prove that LTL can be better than the industry has settled for. To be the best means we need to think bigger, look outside the box, and question every assumption: too many handoffs, limited visibility, and the quiet belief that “this is just how it works.” We rejected that story. We built a proprietary Smart Network™ for direct, long haul, metro to metro service that delivers fewer touches, faster transit, real time visibility, and genuine accountability. We are the most tech forward company in LTL, and we are not finished widening the gap.

The foundation is already strong. Recognized as one of Built In Chicago’s Best Large Places to Work. Earning top marks for improvement, quality, and service. The real opportunity is still ahead: helping invent what comes next.

If you want to be evaluated among the Best of the Best and help set the new standard in LTL, we should talk.